VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 87 
a friend, and received us with much cordiality. He seemed pleas- 
ed, when I informed him, that ever since the renovation of the 
mission, I had been well acquainted with his name and services^ 
when, by orders from the Dutch Governor, in 1792, he first 
brought the missionaries to Bavians-Kloof, and lodged them in 
his house, at Soete Melks Valley, till they could put up a cottage 
for themselves. Though upwards of seventy years old, he is full 
of activity, of a very intelligent mind, and seemed interested in 
all that passes here and in Europe. 
On consulting him about the best place for a third settlement, 
he recommended an examination of the banks, both of the Cham- 
toos, and Kierbooms Reviers, and named several situations, the ad- 
vantages of which he enumerated. 
No trees or hedges adorn his premises, except four small oaks 
behind, and two Chinese rose-trees before the house. The river 
Sonderend flows in the vale, but its waters, in this dry season, are 
hid from view by large shrubs, brush-wood, broom, and reed-grass, 
growing in its very bed. The view of the mountains is grand, and 
makes amends for the melancholy appearance of the plain. 
After dinner, we set out for Mr. Linde's farm, lying likewise 
on the Sonderend. A sudden change of weather had taken place. 
Clouds began first to hover above, then to obscure, the highest peaks, 
and gradually to envelope the whole range of mountains. We 
hastened therefore to get under shelter, and after a short visit to 
Mr. Tennis's son Jan, reached Mr. Linde's house, just before the rain 
came on. It lies not far from the river Sonderend, which, in most 
places, is hid by bushes. 1 had expected to find a man, formerly 
in the employ of Government, as a commander of Hottentots in the 
Caffre war, a Veldcornet, and justly esteemed as a truly respecta- 
ble character throughout the country, inhabiting a well-built man- 
sion, and I was preparmg a handsome apology, for not appearing 
in full dress, till I saw his miserable cottage and its homely furniture. 
But African and English ideas, of the necessity of suitingyour appear- 
ance to your rank, widely differ, and a man of consequence is here 
