1812. 
THE PLEASING EFFECTS OF MUSIC. 
9 
The complete silence which prevailed, indicated their fondness 
for music; however rude the sounds which the wild uncultivated 
Hottentot himself may be able to produce. He will sometimes take 
his gordh, and, unintelligible as his notes may seem to a more polished 
ear, will sit by his fire, or in his hut, playing them over for hours 
together, with increasing pleasure and satisfaction : while his friends 
around him listen without growing weary; and perhaps among their 
number some one, captivated by so great a display, as they may deem 
it, of musical power, may catch the spirit of emulation and long to 
play as well : or even may his notes inspire more tender feelings ; 
and youth and innocence may listen to them with delight. I confess 
that I warmly participated in the amusement of the evening ; and 
never before felt so satisfied and proud of my own performance: but 
my pride was surely allowable on such an occasion, and I doubt 
whether the most accomplished performer in Europe, feels at the 
rapturous applauses of a refined audience, a gratification greater than 
that which I received on witnessing the pleasure which my music 
afforded to a kraal of simple Africans. It was the pride of being 
able to render my fellow-men happy, even though but for a few 
hours : it was the heart, and not the head, which claimed the whole 
enjoyment. How often, when far removed from these wild regions, 
has memory carried me back to scenes and amusements such as these, 
again to try the question whether man find not an equal portion of 
happiness, and feel not equally the care of a kind Providence, in the 
civilized, and in the uncivilized state. How often have 1 travelled 
over my journey again, to dwell a longer time at those places where 
the goodwUl of my fellow creatures, and innocent pleasures, have 
beguiled my hours, and soothed the pains of the more rugged and 
unkind parts of my road. 
2^th. Early the following morning we left Jan Bloems Kraal, 
accompanied by its chief and six of his people. The distance to the 
river was not more than four miles ; but having quitted the valley, 
that we might take a more direct road to the ford, we no longer met 
with the same romantic scenery, nor even with rocks of the same 
nature; these appearing every where, in this day's journey, to consist 
VOL. 11. c 
