1810. 
CAPE DIALECT. 
13 
of introduction, I feel a pleasure in ascribing some of the advantages 
which I enjoyed. 
2%th. This, and the greater part of the two following days, 
were occupied in delivering my letters to such gentlemen as were 
living in Cape Town ; in introductions to others ; in receiving the 
friendly visits of several who now renewed a former acquaintance ; 
in getting my baggage ashore ; and in executing several little com- 
missions with which I had been charged. 
I had at this time decided on nothing more than the general 
outlines of the plan for my future travels, agreeable to an intention 
of exploring the less frequented or unknown parts of Africa, for the 
purpose of becoming acquainted with its inhabitants, and of increasing 
my own knowledge by the addition of whatever facts I might have 
the opportunity of observing. Being accountable to no one for the 
result of my visit to this country, I felt the more at ease to decide 
on any arrangement best suited to my views ; and determined on de- 
laying my intended journey, until I should have collected some 
information respecting the country, and acquired some experience 
and knowledge of its customs and peculiarities. 
Besides which, a knowledge and proper pronunciation of the 
Dutch language, according to the Cape dialect, and even according 
to the corrupt dialect of the Hottentots, was not among the least im- 
portant preparations for a journey of research in this part of Africa. 
For I am convinced that many incorrect and absurd things, which 
have been written about this Colony, would never have been said, 
had the writers been sufficiently acquainted with the language to 
converse with every class of its inhabitants. To be qualified for 
judging of the character of these inhabitants, it is not enough to liave 
mingled with the better part of society ; the Boors must be heard, 
the Hottentots must be heard, and the slaves must be heard. It 
is an observation which Hollanders have often made, that on their 
first arrival they could not readily comprehend the meaning of a 
Hottentot when he spoke in Dutch ; while it was evident to them 
