♦ 
1811. SITUATION OF KLAARWATEll. 359 
well know that nothing can stand without the support of genuine 
religion, I mean, that as mere men, and having to deal with mere 
men, there is no absurdity in trying how far worldly means are 
likely to produce those good effects on our fellow-creatures, which 
we are so desirous of witnessing. 
For the purpose of giving a clearer account of the settlement of 
Klaarwater and its inhabitants, the same venial anachronism is com- 
mitted here, as in the second chapter, by bringing together in this 
place the various particulars which were learnt at different subse- 
quent periods. 
The village itself is situated close on the eastern side of a low 
rocky ridge, composed of an argillaceous slate or stone, divisible into 
thin laminae like that of the Asbestos mountains * ; between which, 
however, no asbestos has hitherto been observed. On one side is a 
long grassy mead of irregular shape, and containing above a hundred 
acres. This, being the lowest ground, receives the drainings and 
springs of the whole valley, and is, in some places, of a boggy 
nature. It is covered with coarse grass, and, by a little trouble 
and management, might be converted into gardens for the Hotten- 
tots, in the same manner as at Genadendal f ; and seems excellently 
suited for the purpose. The soil is a dark mould ; and springs, 
rising in different parts of it, yield a never-failing stream of water 
during the whole year. I found this tvater^ clear and wholesome at 
all times : it is, however, of a calcareous nature, as is evident by the 
substance deposited on the roots and stems of the reeds and sedge 
along its course. All these springs, collected into a small rill, take 
their course through the mountains southward, by an outpost called 
Leeuwenkuil (Lion's-den), and passing by Grootedoorn (Great-thorn), 
another outpost, join the Great River, after running a distance of 
forty miles. The whole substratum of this part of the country, foT 
many leagues northward and eastward, is a hard limestone rock of 
* Or that which is represented by the vignette at the end of Chapter XIX. 
f See pages 110, 112, and 114. 
