230 JOURNAL OF A 
speculation, had a benevolent design; wishingto promote confidence 
among the neighbouring CaflVes and other tribes, who, being in want 
of many articles of convenience and comfort, might purchase them 
here by barter, or otherwise. Thus, friendly communication being 
established, and more wants created, or rather, a better knowledge 
given them of the advantages of the arts of civilization, a disposi- 
tion to industry might, by degrees, be introduced. 
In this view, no objection can justly be raised to a creation of ad- 
ditional wants among a savage and ignorant people, whatever some 
philosophers may say of the happiness of a state of nature. To as- 
sert, that at length, by abuse, it may end in greediness, covetous- 
uess, and rapacity, is no more than saying, that every faculty and 
disposition of the human mind, may be turned, either to a good or 
bad use, as directed by a good, or perverted by an evil spirit. The 
original plan of the establishment at Somerset, was, to improve the 
extraordinary goodness of the ground belonging to the farm, for the 
cultivation of tobacco, which during the American war had risen 
lo an enormous price in the colony. Dr.. Mackrill being a man of 
extensive knowledge and active patriotism, proposed to Govern- 
ment the improvement of the growth of that article in this newly- 
acquired colony, not only with a view to cheapen it here, but to 
furnish a supply for exportation. Being permitted to fix upon a 
situation for that purpose, he wisely chose perhaps the finest in 
the whole district of Uitenhagen. But the war ceasing, and tobacco 
being again sold at a price so low, as to destroy every prospect of 
advantage to the colony, the plan was changed. Corn is to be the 
principal produce in future. 
After dinner, we took a walk to see the land belonging to the farm. 
Its boundary, to the eastward, is a rapid brook, proceeding from 
the mountain, and emptying itself into the Little Fish River. 
The greatest part of the valley is sprinkled with thorn-bushes, 
some of which are of extraordinary size and beauty. The brook 
forms two very fine cascades before it enters the river, and the 
glen, through which it descends, is truly romantic. The upper 
