AFRICA. 205 
gree of tenfion, according to the pleafure of 
the mufician ; but when feveral goura^ play- 
together, they are never in unifon. Such is the 
firft inftrument of the Hottentots, which one 
would not fuppofe to be a wind inftrument^ 
though it is undoubtedly of that kind. The 
figure of it may be feen in the eighth plate, 
by the fide of a Hottentot. It is held almoft 
in the fame manner as a huntfman's horn, 
with that end where the quill is fixed to- 
wards the performer's mouth, which he 
applies to it, and either by afpiration or 
expiration draws from it very melodious 
tones. The favages, however, who fucceed 
beft on this inftrument, cannot play any re- 
gular tune ; they only emit certain twangs, 
like thofe drawn in a particular manner from 
a violin or a violincello. I took great pleafure 
in feeing one of my attendants., called John^ 
who w^as accounted an adept, regale for 
whole hours his companions, who, tranf- 
ported and raviftied, interrupted hrm every 
now and then by exclaiming, " Ah ! how" 
charming that is ! begin that again," John 
began again; but his fecond performance 
had no refemblance to the firft : for, as I 
have faid, tliefe people cannot play any re- 
gular 
