AFRICA. 145 
keep from burfting out into a fit of laughter, 
which would have foon diffipated the whole 
charm. When I had done, I laid hold of 
the pcrfon who was neareft me, and put the 
wonderful lute Into his hands : I found it 
very difficult to make him comprehend the 
method of ufmg it ; but having at length 
made him do it fome how or other, I fent 
him back to his place. As I much doubted 
whether the reft would be contented if they 
had not one each, I diftributed as many Jews 
harps as 1 had Hottentots ; and being all 
collected, fome performing well, others badly, 
and fome wretchedly, they regaled me with a 
concert that might have frightened the Furies, 
Even my oxen, difturbed by their horrid hum- 
ming, began to bellow ; and all of a fudden 
my camp became fuch a fcene of noife and 
riot as was perhaps never feen. In every part 
it exhibited the true pifture of a holiday. 
By the air of ftupefaclion which they exhibit- 
ed when I myfelf tried the ridiculous inftrument, 
I was perfuaded that fimple minds maybeftruck . 
with aftonifhment by very fimple means; and 
notwithftanding all that hiftory relates of the 
great talents of Orpheus, and of the wonders 
performed by his mufic, I am always inclined 
R 3 to 
