SOUTHERN AFRICA. 159 
a Grecian countenance. In short, had not Nature bestowed 
upon him the dark-coloring principle that anatomists have 
discovered to be owing to a certain gelatinous fluid lying 
between the epidermis and the cuticle, he might have ranked 
among the first of Europeans. 
Among other causes that may have contributed to keep up 
the tall and athletic stature of the KafFers are their frequent 
inter-marriages with strangers. The principal article of their 
trade with the Tambookie nation is the' exchange of cattle for 
their young women. Almost every chief has Tambookie 
wives, though they pay much dearer for them than for those 
of their own people. Polygamy is allowed in its fullest 
extent, and without any inconvenience resulting from the 
practice, as it is confined nearly to the chiefs. The circum- 
stances of the common people will rarely allow them the 
indulgence of more than one wife, as women are not to be 
obtained without purchase. The females being considered as 
the property of their parents, are invariably disposed of 
by sale. The common price of a wife is an ox or a couple 
of cows. Love with them is a very confined passion, taking 
but little hold on the mind. When an offer is made for 
the purchase of a daughter,, she feels little inclination 
to refuse ; she considers herself as an article in the market, 
and is neither surprised^ nor unhappy, nor interested, on 
being told that she is about to be disposed of. There is 
no previous courtship, no exchange of fine sentiments, 
no nice feelings, nor little kind attentions which catch the 
affections, and attach the heart. It would be unjust 
at the same time to tax them with sensuality. A Kaffer 
