1811. 
ITINERANT TUTORS. 
199 
On each side of this table, two homely chairs were stationed, with 
their backs close to the wall : in these sat the master and mistress. 
A few chairs and benches, with the large family dining-table, were 
ranged in order round the room. On a shelf lay a variety of articles, 
with a large Bible and a few other books. 
A black slave-woman and a Hottentot girl, assisted in the do- 
mestic duties ; while the more laborious work of the farm was per- 
formed by a man-slave and a few Hottentots. The daughters, three 
good-tempered young women, were under the tuition of an itinerant 
tutor, or Meester, as he was called, who had been for several months 
an inmate of the family. Although a Hollander by birth, he had 
passed the last twenty-nine years of his life in the colony ; but in the 
younger part of it, had served in the Dutch and English navies. He 
was a very communicative, amusing, and, to a certain degree, intel- 
ligent, person ; he could make himself understood both in English and 
in French ; and, in point of learning and acquirements, appeared fully 
equal to the task of completing the education of a boor's family. 
A number of schoolmasters of this description, and who are 
mostly Europeans, are dispersed every where through the country. 
In many instances, their qualifications would not enable them to get 
their living by the same occupation in their native country ; but, 
considering the low salary they receive for their services, it cannot 
reasonably be expected that men of higher qualifications could be 
found to lead such a life. In the course of their profession, it may 
happen that they peregrinate in every district of the colony, as their 
usual stay at each house, is from six to twelve months ; and, in this 
short time, must they engage to complete the education of their 
pupils in reading, writing, and arithmetic. They are not always 
paid in money, the scarcity of which, in the more remote districts, 
compels them to accept their remuneration in cattle ; and thus, by 
degrees, some become possessed of large flocks and herds, with 
which, in the end, they often commence the business of farmer. 
The Meester seemed desirous of recommending himself to my 
good opinion, by a display of all his learning at once. He entered 
into disputations on every topic with which he fancied himself to be 
