VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 351 
a hut, and kept their apparatus for boiling the berries, and extract- 
ing the wax. The renters of the neighbouring farms claim a 
right to this property, and our people were required to ask their 
permission to gather the berries. Thdugh this had been done, 
a man had yesterday warned off the women engaged in boiling 
wax ; they had therefore hid their iron pot, for fear of siezure. 
But on discovering us to be friends, they produced it, and showed 
us the process, which is perfectly simple. The pot is hung over 
the fire, by running a thick stick through its handle, which is 
supported at each end, by a fork placed in the ground, at a con- 
venient distance from the fire. After the berries have boiled 
some time, the wax appears on the surface of the water, and is 
skimmed off with a spoon. Two kinds of wax-berry bushes grow 
here, one smaller than the other. The berries of both, have much 
the appearance of those of the juniper. 
From hence we rode to the Laatste Stuiver, a parcel of land 
containing much sweet grass, and wax-berry bushes, for the pos- 
session of which the missionaries had applied to Government, that 
they and their Plottentots might have a change of food for the 
cattle. But it had already been advertised to be disposed of 
to the best bidder. 
27th. In the afternoon, I walked out to see the brick-makers. 
A number of girls had offered their services, to place the new- 
made bricks in rows to dry, and as amusement accompanied the 
work, nothing could exceed their diligence. Some, who think 
working in their fields and gardens a labour too great to be sup- 
ported for any length of time, work here and in the quarry, for 
many hours successively, with a zeal, activity, and good-humour, 
which surprised me. Hitherto the weather had favoured us, but 
most of the bricks, in drying, cracked by the heat of the sun. 
This was afterwards avoided, by different management in mixing 
the clay. 
During the latter days of the month, I spent my time chiefly at 
my aesk, reheved by a daily morning-walk to the masons and 
