2o6 
TRAVELS IN 
ot* their sheep, instantly mounted her horse, took a miisquet 
in her hand, and, accompanied by a single Hottentot, engaged 
the plunderers for some time, put them to flight, and re- 
covered every sheep. 
With infinitely more drawbacks on the produce of their in- 
dustry than any of their countrymen experience, the anarchy 
that prevailed in GraafF Reynet produced no sort of disturb- 
ance among the people of Sneuwberg. They lent a material 
assistance indeed to promote the measures of government. 
The only grievance of which I ever heard them complain, 
and which appears to be a real inconvenience to all who in- 
habit the remote parts of the colony, is a ridiculous and ab- 
surd law respecting marriage ; and as it seems to have no 
foundation in reason, and little in policy, except indeed, like 
the marriage-acts in other countries, it be intended as a check 
to population, it ought to be repealed. By this law the par- 
ties are both obliged to be present at the Cape, in order to 
answer certain interrogatories^ and pass the forms of office 
there, the chief intention of which seems to be that of pre- 
venting improper marriages from being contracted ; as if the 
commissaries appointed to this office, at the distance of five 
or six hundred miles, should be better acquainted with the 
connections and other circumstances regarding the parties," 
than the landrost, the clergyman, and the members of the 
council residing upon the spot. The expence of the journey 
to the young couple is greater than they can frequently well 
afford. For decency's sake they must set out in two wag- 
gons, though in the course of a month's journey, across a 
desert country, it is said they generally make one serve the 
