150 
THE CHURCH-ORGAN VILLAGE-SCHOOL. 
7— 14 April, 
bellows ; but I usually took with me my Hottentot, Philip, for this 
purpose, who was more amused perhaps than any one else, and not a 
little pleased when I was obliged to tell him that I could not play 
unless he helped me ; for it often happened that, his attention being 
entirely engaged by the music, he forgot to blow. The eldest of the 
daughters could play some psalm tunes, which she had been taught 
by the person who * worked' the organ at the church ; for so I must 
term it. 
I had, previously to hearing ofBremmer's, made, by the clergy- 
man's permission, an attempt upon that organ, attended by the 
organist himself ; but was completely disappointed at finding it 
exceedingly out of order. It was however the donation of a pious 
boor of the district, to whom it had cost a considerable sum of money, 
though quite old when he purchased it. Yet, notwithstanding the 
price, it had a few defects over and above being thoroughly worn 
out : the keys were so rattling and noisy, and some so loose, and 
others so tight, that it was difficult to know what force each one 
required ; and often, one or other, after being pressed down, would 
remain in that position while the pipe kept on growling, or squealing, 
till accident, or some assistance, stopped it again. 
A regular musician could hardly be found to accept a situation 
which so badly repaid his services ; for this person, who played 
merely psalm tunes in a plain manner and made no pretensions 
to a voluntary, was glad to accept, in addition to his music, a trifling 
salary as assistant in the village-school under the clerk. 
The number of children taught in this school, was about fifty ; 
and the charge was — for learning to read, including a book, one 
rixdollar a month ; for writing, one more ; and for arithmetic, another 
rixdollar. The master himself was allowed besides these emolu- 
ments, a house and garden. 
\Ath. At length a polite letter from the commandant, dated at 
Bruyntjes Hoogte on the 12th, in answer to one from me on the 
31st of the preceding month, informed me that he had written to the 
acting-landdrost to desire him to assist me in procuring men ; and at 
the same time requested me to restore Philip to his regiment, unless 
I found him to be indispensably necessary. Now it seemed that I 
