VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
20! 
goiis belonging to Bethelsdorp, full of Hottentots, but did not 
stop to converse with them, for which, probably, neither party 
could spare the time. 
The descent towards the river is steep and rocky, and though 
lately much mended, very rough, almost resembling some of the 
roads in Plettenberg bay. Mr. Melville made a beautiful sketch 
of the view from the brow of the hill, towards the mountains. 
I walked alone down the road through the wood, examining the 
stones. On the summit of the hill, I found a white, gritty kind 
of limestone, but towards the bottom, nothing but a soft shistus, 
with quartz, and coarse sand-stone, too soft ever to make good 
roads. For about a mile, it leads through a wood of lofty trees, 
some falling through age, others pressed down by an immense 
quantity of bush-rope, or Bavianstau, some disfigured by mosses, or 
covered with wild vines and a variety of creepers, while others tower 
aloft, unentangled, in perfect health and beauty. An almost im- 
penetrable thicket forms the underwood. The river flows in a 
deep, shady bottom, and the farm-house, called Kaffre Kraal, built 
of red brick, presents itself pleasantly on the opposite eminence 
overlooking a deep glen, enclosed by steep, Avoody hills. The 
premises are the cleanest I have yet seen in this countrv. We were 
well received by Mrs. Neukirch, one coming in after the other, and 
followed by the farmer himself, Avho had overtaken Mr. Melville, 
and heard from him our story and our wants. The evening was 
very agreeably spent with him and his friendly wife, and we were 
lodged in a room adjoining the dwelling, purposely budt for the 
accommodation of travellers. 
4th. We breakfasted with the family, and Mr. Neukirch's conver- 
sation proved him to be an intelligent, friendly, and honourable man. 
During the forenoon, waiting for our companions, Mr. Melville and 
I were engaged in writing and drawing, and Brother Stein in visit- 
ing the Hottentots and slaves. In one of the huts, he found se- 
veral people assembled about a sick person, to whom he spoke of 
the love of God our Saviour towards the whole human race, and 
DD 
