APRIL.] 
BETHELSDORP. 
117 
people, though now not above fifty regularly attend, 
and many others occasionally. 
During my residence at Cape-town after my arrival, 
and when on my journey to Bethelsdorp, I heard 
many unfavourable reports cencerning that missionary 
settlement, especially concerning the wretchedness of 
their habitations, the idleness of the people, the want 
of civilization, the diminution of the property of those 
who joined it, and its being a seat of debauchery. On 
my arrival there, I must confess that, neither the 
appearance of the place, nor of the people came up 
to the expectations I had formed when in Europe. In 
order that the Society and the public may have docu- 
ments on which to form their sentiments, how far the 
missionaries are to be justified or condemned, I jshall 
subjoin the substance of my investigation of these 
matters. 
Substance of conversations with the mission- 
aries at Bethelsdorp, in reference to the 
civil state of that settlement, at meetings 
held in Mr, Read's house, March 9^lst, 8^x. 
1813. Present, Messrs. Read, Ulbricht, 
Wimmer, Smith, Corner, and Bartlet. 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF LAND. 
They stated that they had tried to cultivate dif- 
ferent parts of the lands of Bethelsdorp in vain, before 
they came to the present place, which they have now 
cultivated with success. 
