1811. 
WANTROUW. 
383 
Although destiny seemed to have devoted him to a residence 
with the missionaries at Klaarwater, he soon took a dishke to the 
monotony of his prospects there ; and from that time commenced 
the new asra of his life. Having already acquired some know- 
ledge of zoology, (of botany he knew very little, and of entomo- 
logy nothing at all,) he sighed for an opportunity of improving him- 
self in that science ; and in tlie hope of becoming acquainted 
with the interior of many rare and nondescript animals, he offered 
himself to me as comparative anatomist to the expedition. 
As I soon began to understand his language, the various con- 
versations which we had together on that subject, evinced so much 
sagacity, that it is greatly to be regretted that he has never published 
his observations, which, in justice to myself it is stated, he is at 
full liberty to do, in any language into which they might be trans- 
lated ; since he was under no bond to deliver up his papers and 
journals for the use of his employer. His salary was sufficient for 
his expenses during the journey, but entirely ceased with his ser- 
vices. 
WantroirdD had prepared and cleaned a large collection of bones 
of rare quadrupeds, which would have been to any museum a va- 
luable present. Or, to the great extension and benefit of science 
in England, they might have been deposited in the cellars of the 
British Museum, to receive the same honors with his master's 
skins. But as they would require no stuffing, and consequently 
* At my return to England, I brouglit home 120 skins of quadrupeds, the zoological 
fruits of my African travels ; and in April, 1817, after resisting a flattering invitation from 
a foreign museum, of the first respectability, and who were desirous of purchasing them, 
I thought proper, from feelings of patriotism, to present a selection of 43 of the largest 
and finest skins, to the British Museum ; supposing that science would be more benefitted 
by placing them in our national repository, than in keeping them in my own collection. 
How far my expectations, and those of the public, have been realized, may be inferred 
from the fact, that at this time (December, 1821,) not more than seven have been 
stuffed, and, of these only five placed for public inspection. The reason assigned for this 
must appear still moi-e surprising than the fact itself ; and the inability of the trustees to 
furnish out of the funds of the establishment the trifling sum necessary for putting this 
collection in order, is exceedingly to be lamented ; not only because the visitors to the 
