66 
JOURNAL OF A 
from affection and gratitude to the missionaries, they will engage 
to Avoik: if, however, they have no relish for it themselves, they 
are apt to go about it rather sluggishly. But if the work please 
them, which was here the case, no European workmen exceed them 
in spirit and diligent attention ; only the execution must not last 
too long, lest, like children, they begin to get tired of it. They are 
iflattered and pleased when visited by their employers while at work, 
particularly if the latter take some share in it, and now and then lend 
assistance, if only by removing a stone, or helping to lift a beam. 
Before dinner, two English officers of dragoons arrived on a visit. 
They appeared highly pleased with the whole settlement; particu- 
larly with the neatness and regularity of the missionaries' dwellings, 
the convenience and cleanliness of the church, and the number of 
trees, both upon the premises, and dispersed throughout the village. 
It gave me pleasure to accompany them in their walk, and to satisfy 
their inquiries after the origin and aim of the institution. 
In the evening-meeting. Brother Marsveld delivered a very ani- 
mated discourse on the text of the day. I was surprised to find 
him still able to speak with so much energy and strength of recol- 
lection in spiritual things. 
17th. We rose at the first sound of the bell, which rings at half 
past five. At that time the family meet in the dining-room, read 
the texts of Scripture appointed for the day, sing some verses gene- 
rally out of hymns connected Avith their contents, or any other 
morning-hymn, and then take a dish of coffee; but what they call 
breakfast is not ready till eight o'clock, and more like a luncheon. 
Very little time is spent at their meals. Between twelve and one 
they dine; drink tea or coffee at two; sup between six and seven, 
and go to the church at eight, when the whole congregation meet 
for evening-worship. Every day, however, has its regular meetings 
for one or other division of the congregation, for instruction in the 
Christian doctrines. The schools are held in the forenoon for the 
boys, and in the afternoon for the girls. 
After breakfast. Brother Bonatz walked with me into the village, 
