VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
25 
shaped like that of a snail, quite transparent, of a hght cerulean 
blue, passing into green towards the head, which had a kind of crest 
like a fan, also transparent and tinged with purple at the top. A 
number of antennee of a deep blue colour proceeded from the bod}^ 
and a tail, from three to four feet long, looking like a string of small 
blue beads. On examining it more narrowly, Mr Buck happening 
to prick its body with the sharp point of a penknife, it instantly 
shrunk together, and almost vanished, nothing but a small pulpy 
substance remaining. In the evening, there was much distant hght- 
jiing towards the west, 
4th. Having, during a sleepless night, been led into much re*- 
flection on different subjects, with which, during the last thirty 
years of my life, I have more or less been occupied, I determined 
to avail myself of my present leisure, to make some memorandums 
in " Letters to my children," whose affectionate and dutiful beha- 
viour has ever been a subject of my thanksgiving to God. The 
execution of this project occupied me for some time, and proved 
anew and powerful remedy against languid feeling and impatience. 
These memorials relate to the origin, — 1st. Of my acquaintance with 
some of the most worthy men of the present age. 2d. Of the aboli- 
tion of the slave-trade. 3d. Of the peculiar interest I feel in mission- 
ar}'- exertions. 4th. The views I have of the religious influence of 
music. 5th. An account of several events, which call for gratitude 
to God for preservation, and for other mercies, shown to myself and 
famil}^, &c. Of these letters I finished five, before we reached the 
Cape. 
5th. The black cook having been more conceited than successful 
in baking wheaten bread, Brother Thomsen offered his services, with 
Mr. Buck, for his assistant. They commenced their operations 
this morning, and after some experiments, produced very good rolls 
for breakfast. The cook's darkened visage displayed indeed some 
uneasiness at being thus superseded, and his oven used by ama- 
teurs in the profession; but we all experienced the l-enefjt of it, 
relishing what we knew had been prepared with clean Ijands. l\ly 
