SOUTHERN AFRICA. 51 
all kinds of lace, knotting, and tambour work, and in general 
make up their own drelTes, following the prevailing fafliions of 
England brought from time to time by the female pafTengers 
bound to India, from whom they may be faid to 
" Catch the manners living as they rife." 
Neither are the other fex, while boys, deficient in vivacity or 
talent ; but for want of the means of a proper education, to 
open their minds and excite in them a defire of knowledge, 
they foon degenerate into the common routine of eating, fmok- 
ing, and fleeping. Few of the male inhabitants affociate with 
the Englifh, except fuch as hold employments under the govern- 
ment. This backwardnefs may be owing in part to the differ- 
ent habits of the two nations, and partly, perhaps, to the reluc- 
tance that a vanquiflied people muft always feel in mixing with 
their conquerors. No real caufe, however, of complaint or dif- 
affedion could pofTibly be alleged againft the Englilh govern- 
ment at the Cape. No new taxes have been impofed fmce the 
conqueft ; but, on the contrary, fome of the old ones have 
been diminifhed, and others modified. The demand and value 
of every production of the colony have very confiderably in- 
creafed, while the articles of import have fallen, in their prices. 
More than 200,000 rixdollars of arrears in rent of land have 
been remitted to the inhabitants by the Britifh government, as 
well as 180,000 rixdollars of dubious debts. They have pre- 
ferved their laws and their religion, both of which continue to 
be adminiftered by their own people. They enjoy as great a 
fhare of rational liberty as men, bound to each other, and to 
H 2 the 
