VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 10^ 
God concerning the married state, being explained to them. They 
are then recommended pubhcly to the prayers of the congregatian, 
and shortly after, married at the church, in a pubhc meeting. 
To-day a child was drowned in the Bavian's-llevier. Means 
were used for its recovery, but in vain. 
24th. After breakfast, I visited some Hottentots' gardens, which 
were kept in good order, and also walked with Brother Leitner, 
to see the Hottentots making unburnt bricks. The clay of this 
country hardens to such a degree, that a brick made of it, and 
well dried in the sun, is more difficult to break, than many a stone. 
In the afternoon was the funeral of the poor drowned child, Bro- 
ther Leitner delivered a very suitable discourse to the children, 
on the uncertainty of life. 
When it had grown too dark to write, I sat down to play some- 
thing on the piano-forte. Hearing a rustling behind me, I per- 
ceived, that three or four ^^ottentot girls had quietly entered 
the room, to listen to the music. I told them, that I would play 
for thenii but they should sing for rne, as I wished to ascertain, 
whether, by the help of an instrument, they would keep true to 
the tune, without sinking their voices. They then gave out, and 
sung some verses, in different tunes ; I always found them true 
to the pitch of the instrument, though ever}"^ now and then I let 
them sing some lines by themselves, then falling in with the piano- 
forte, found they had not in the smallest degree lowered their 
voices. The number of singers gradually increased to thirt}^ I 
was pleased with this new proof of the naturally musical qualities 
of this nation, and was convinced, that the sinking of the voices at 
church, is only owing to bad precentors, but would be prevented 
by an organ. 
After our evening-worship, the spirit of singing seemed to come 
upon us, and we were above an hour engaged in playing and sing- 
ing verses to a variety of beautiful German hymn-tunes, some of 
which were new to me. 
To-day, a tree-serpent haunting a tree near the garden gate. 
