VISIT TO SOUTH AFIIICA. ]29 
them we entered, and conversed with tlic inhabitants. The>^ were 
friendly, and expressed their thankfulness for the instruction they 
receive, and for the zeal with which the missionaries endeavour to 
promote their temporal and spiritual welfare. 
Mr. Seidenfaden is a man of an active, benevolent mind, and 
generous spirit. He has himself built a good substantial house, 
with a spacious hall, in which he meets his congregation, and keeps 
school with the children and young people. The Missionary 
Society in London, under whose direction he acts, have not as yet 
thought proper to build a church in this place, and the small sum 
he could raise for the purpose, proved quite inadequate to the 
undertaking. A beginning, however, was made on an eminence 
near the house, but his expectations failing, the work remains un- 
finished. He appears to deserve more encouragement, for the 
situation is such, that in time a considerable settlement might bo 
formed. 
After a pleasant stay of about four hours with this worthy family, 
we set out for the next station, accompanied by Mr. Seidenfaden 
and his brother-in-law on horseback, to direct us in crossing the 
river, the banks of which are so very steep, that all the skill of 
Hottentots in driving was required, to bring the waggons and oxen 
safely through the water. At one of the fords, an ox, becoming 
wild, disengaged himself from tlie yoke. But we were in a most 
romantic place, in which some detention was not unpleasant. 
While the Hottentots were pursuing the frightened beast, the 
Avaggons remaining stationary in the midst of the stream, we con- 
templated with delight the surrounding sceneiy. To the right, 
the water rushed forward between steep, woody banks, in the deep 
shade of overspreading trees, towards a range of low hills, enclos- 
ing the valley to the south. To the left, rose a dark, gloomy forest, 
ascending a deep kloof, between perpendicular rocks, and stretch- 
ing along the foot of the mountains, whose tops were enveloped in 
black clouds, rendered more frowning, as contrasted with the splen- 
dour of a bright sun in the west, beautifully lighting up every part 
s 
