VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 193 
His wife, whom we had found to be a very civil and obliging 
woman, seemed quite to revive, on seeing the reconciliation take 
place, having been truly distressed by her husband's strange con- 
duct yesterday. 
The Veldcornet expressed his admiration of the appearance and 
behaviour of our Hottentots, exhibiting, as he said, such a contrast 
to that of the miserable and neglected race of Hottentots, living 
among the boors. Nothing was more encouraging and satisfac- 
tory to us, than such remarks, nor is there a more convincing 
proof of the benefit conferred upon this nation, by the introduction 
of Christianity. It shows the necessity of obtaining more oppor- 
tunities for planting missions among them, in which Christian 
instruction and civilization go hand in hand. 
In this part of the country, more than about Gnadenthal and 
Groenekloof, one may behold the state of degradation, into which 
the Hottentot nation has sunk, the blame and shame of which lie 
heavy with some of the former possessors of this land, who, first 
having robbed the aborigines of their paternal inheritance, took 
advantage of their tame and defenceless state, to thrust them 
down into the most abject servitude. In this, they are, by some, 
far worse treated than purchased slaves, who are spared, be- 
cause if lamed or destroyed by excessive labour or cruel treat- 
ment, they cannot be replaced, but at an enormous expense. But 
there are yet superior considerations, which make us desire the 
propagation of Christianity among the heathen. They are sum- 
med up in that earnest prayer of every true believer, " that Christ 
may see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied." Though the 
conversion of the hearts of those, to whom his servants preach the 
gospel, is their principal aim, yet it is most gratifying to perceive, 
that even men of no religion acknowledge the effects of the gospel 
in the mind and manners of those, who have received it in faith. 
From this place, we saw, for the first time, in the north-east ho- 
rizon, the Winterhoeks mountains, which present themselves v/ith 
many peaks. 
