1811. 
BUILDINGS. 
367 
the first week of October, came in flower before the middle of 
December. 
The dwellings of the missionaries stand close together in a line 
with the meeting-house, forming, with two others in a parallel line, a 
kind of street, in the middle of which stood, at this time, a stuffed 
camelopard, which, being much weather-beaten and decayed, was 
soon afterwards taken down. This object, reminding me that I was 
in the country where these animals were to be beheld alive, added a 
pleasing and very interesting feature to this little village. 
The only piece of rnasonry was the foundations of a large build- 
ing, intended to comprise under one roof a meeting-house and the 
dwellings of the missionaries ; but its only use is to prove that a 
plan of rendering the mission respectable in its appearance was once 
entertained. It was commenced, I believe, about seven years before 
my visit to Klaarwater, and was carried on with spirit by the united 
labor of the whole community, until the walls reached the height of 
five or six feet ; and in this state it has remained ever since, and 
still continues, without any prospect of being completed. This 
neglect is attributed to the temper of the Hottentots, who, like 
children pleased with a new toy, which is soon thrown aside, at first 
laboured readily at the work, and would not have deserted it if 
three or four months could have brought it to a conclusion ; but 
finding, after the novelty of the job had worn off, that nothing was 
left but hard labor, their little stock of exertion and patience became 
exhausted, and the thing was given up as an undertaking of too 
great a magnitude. There was no want of materials ; since their 
mortar was obtained close at hand, being merely mud, and the 
adjoining hill supplied the stone, which was formed by nature of 
shapes the best adapted for masonry : while timber might easily be 
procured from the banks of the Gariep, or even much nearer. The 
business of sawing planks has not yet been introduced here ; but 
two or three people work as blacksmiths, although in a very 
bunglino; manner. 
The only means of rendering this mission permanent, is to 
induce these people to acquire property in immoveable buildings. 
