1812. 
VINEGAR. — THE GORAH. — THE FIDDLE. 
287 
was just at the moment stopped from drinking it all off at once as 
he had seen the others drink their sopj'e (sopy) or dram. His com- 
panions were much amused at the simplicity of his mistake, and in 
the evening when seated round the fire, they made it the subject 
of their jokes. 
Stuurman and Andries were also performers on the gordh ; but 
their powers on this singular instrument were much inferior to those 
of the old Bushman whose portrait is given in the first volume. In 
their hands, it produced but little effect, as I could discover no tune 
in its notes, although its tone was powerful and musical. To my 
ear, their music sounded unmeaning and monotonous ; yet they 
themselves were very well satisfied and amused, with their own per- 
formance. It is perhaps one of the most fortunate circumstances 
attending the practice of music, and at the same time a very natural 
effect, that the performer who pretends to nothing above his own 
amusement, should in general be pleased with his attempts, though 
even below mediocrity. Were it otherwise, the soothing pleasure of 
harmonious sounds and the enjoyments of melody, would be the most 
partial gratification which Providence has bestowed on man. 
Speelmans Jiddle now lent its powerful aid every evening in 
enlivening their fireside ; and, as Philip was become a musician and 
Gert had gained the use of his hand by the help of a bandage 
sufficiently to hold the bow, this ingenious instrument seldom lay un- 
employed. By occasional praise, I encouraged them in this mode of 
spending their evenings, conceiving it to be the most harmless in 
which they could indulge, and one which was of considerable service 
in promoting a cheerful good-humoured temper among the party : 
nor was it altogether unimportant to my own views, as it kept their 
minds from silently brooding over imaginary or anticipated dangers ; 
and in some degree rendered them fitter for the expedition. 
They even considered it a relaxation of strict discipline and a 
favor, that I permitted such an instrument to be used : this I dis- 
covered by Juli's seriously asking me, whether it was really sinful to 
dance, or to play on the fiddle ; for, said he, the missionaries tell us 
