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to execute it. When Sister Schmitt first arrived at Groetiekloof, 
and saw the wretched state of most of the Hottentot children, it 
exceedingly distressed her, and having perceived, that most of the 
Hottentot women are good seamstresses, and teach their girls early 
the use of the needle, it occurred to her mind, that they might soon 
learn to work sattin-stich, which she herself perfectly well under- 
stood. She therefore tried the experiment with one or two, and 
succeeding, added more to the number. By these means, she 
taught the children to earn their own bread, and even to afford re- 
lief to their poor parents. .Her countrywoman, Sister Leitner, has 
done the same at Gnadenthal. 
Being invited to dine with the Governor at the Groote Post, I 
met there Captain Cloete, Mr. Bentinck, and Mr. Ward. We were 
spending the afternoon very pleasantly, when a dispatch announced 
to his Excellency the death of his brother at Lisbon. Some time 
after he had left the room, he sent the letter for our perusal. The 
mournful news was heard by the company with sincere sympathy, 
and we spent the remainder of the day in silence and reading. 
2d. While I was waiting for my horse, to return to Groenekloof, 
the Governor, coming into the room, desired me to spend the day 
with him. I had much conversation with his Excellency, con- 
cerning various subjects, and thought my time not un profitably 
spent. He kindly acceded to some proposals, laid before him, 
tending to remove unpleasant disagreements between neighbours. 
During the forenoon, Mr. Croucher, by his orders, showed me a 
new plough, made of cast iron, worked with only two horses, or 
four, if more depth of furrows is required, without holding the 
shafts. He wished me to recommend it to our missionaries. In 
the evening, I took a solitary walk to the hills, and went up to 
some rocks, or large fragments of granite. They form a good fore- 
ground to a view of the Groote Post, lying in the plain. The Table- 
Mountain and its companions adorn the horizon. 
3d. 1 set out early, and was followed by the Governor, who, after 
breakfast, passed through Groenekloof, on his return to Capetown. 
