VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA, 
63 
The belfry, which, after the arrival of the English, the mission- 
aries were permitted to build, stands in the middle of the grove. 
It is an arch, supported bj substantial pilasters, whitened, and a 
pleasant object. The sound of the bell may be heard a good way 
down the valley. It is used for every puipose of call, to church, 
to school, or to meals, and consequently is sometimes rung eight or 
nine limes in the day. 
From my first entrance into Gnadenthal, I determined to lose no 
opportunity of obtaining a complete knowledge, both of its inward 
and outward state, and of contributing, to the best of my power, 
by advice and assistance, towards its prosperity. I therefore be- 
gan immediately to consult the missionaries in what manner my 
time might be most piofiiably spent in this service. Besides many 
conferences with reft tence to the intertial and spiritual concerns of 
the Mission, we were led to considci- die necessity of making va- 
rious improvements, as far as our s'onder means would permit. The 
missionaries, who had accompaii cd me hither, found no dwellings 
provided for them, and were rather imcomfortably lodged in the 
garden-house, the gardening tools having been previously removed, 
and at the inn, a house kept by a Hottentot, and chiefly used by 
farmers visiting the settlement, to refresh themselves and their horses, 
for a few hours, but seldom as a night's lodgmg. The resident mis- 
sionaries, having each only one room lor himself and famil}", could 
not possibly take them in. An additional building, therefore, 
seemed indispensably necessary ; and we resolved to build a house, 
in a line with the school and smithy, l^ hich should contain three 
rooms and a joiner's shop. 
Brother Peter Leitncr was intrusted with the commission; and 
on the Hottentot congregation being informed of the resolution, 
fifteen masons offered their services. A sufficient itumber of hands 
were soon engaged; some to cut reed for thatching, others to assist 
in making unburnt bricks; and in a short time, the foundation was 
laid, according to the plan agreed on. I had here an opportunity of 
observing a feature in the character of the Hottentots. It is true, that 
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