226 
PECULIAR CUSTOMS. 
[1820. 
5th. I was awakened early in the mornmg 
by the noise of a multitude of people surrounding 
the waggons. The population of the place was 
so great, that a constant succession of fresh 
visitants arrived, several of whom brought us 
presents of sweet cane.* 
This morning only we learned that the name of 
the city was Kurreechane, and that Marootzee is 
the name of the nation, not of the town ; that the 
name of the Regent, the late king's eldest brother, 
is Liqueling ; and that though Moeelway be the 
late king's eldest son, he cannot reign, because 
his mother was not the eldest queen ; the eldest 
queen had no children by her first husband, the 
king, but after his death, another brother, ac- 
cording to the Jewish custom, " took her and 
raised up seed to his brother." By him she had 
a son, whose dignity is the same as though he 
had actually been the son of the king. He will 
* We received similar presents at Meribohwhey and Mashow, 
which reminded us of Isaiah xHii. 24, where Israel is complained 
of for bringing no sweet cane as an offering to the Lord. In the 
Bootshuana and Morolong countries, a considerable quantity of 
this cane is planted by the natives, which grows to the height 
of from six to eight feet. This is generally the first present they 
bring to strangers. It is in fact the sugar-cane, from which they 
have not yet acquired the art of extracting sugar. If this art 
were to be taught them by the Missionaries, who may be here- 
after sent, it might prove a considerable addition to their comfort. 
