490 
A KORA CHIEF. 
9—14 Dec. 
plant hundreds more. Nor would this have been now growino- 
here, but for the listless laziness of its owner; who, having a few 
years before cut a block of willow-wood, and brought it from the 
river, with the intention of converting it into a bowl, or a bambus, laid 
it in the water-run to preserve it from cracking ; but could never find 
himself sufficiently in the mood for work, to commence the long- 
meditated job. In the mean time the log of wood, more active than 
the man, took root, and rapidly pushing up shoots, a stem, and 
branches, stood before him a flourishing tree, a growing reproach to 
his idleness and dilatory spirit. 
At the request of the missionaries I drew their portraits, as 
they expressed a wish to send a remembrance to their friends in 
Europe ; and added also a duplicate for themselves. I was far 
from regretting the time employed in this work ; as it could not 
but be a pleasure to gratify the feelings of persons banished, as 
it may be said, not only from the society to which they naturally be- 
longed, but cut off even from all communication with their friends. 
10th. Four ^oms paid me a visit; and I purchased of them 
a fresh ostrich-egg for a small piece of tobacco. They be- 
longed to a neighbouring kraal, and of which one of them was 
the chief Of this man I drew the portrait represented at Plate 10. 
After making the bargain to give him a large piece of tobacco, he 
stood patiently and still, till I had finished my drawing ; which, how- 
ever, being done only with a black-lead pencil, excited little wonder 
or admiration, compared to that which he and his companions ex- 
pressed at my drawing of the Yellow-fish. It is by the imitation of 
the lively colors of nature, far more than by exactness of forms, 
that drawings afford delight to the far greater number of those 
who view them : correctness and fidelity of outline being more 
seldom duly appreciated, although the more valuable part of the art. 
This Kora wore on his head a piece of leather, bound round 
in the form of a cap, and in the manner of a turban ; and was 
clothed with a leathern cloak or kaross, which, together with his 
whole body, were so covered with red ochre and grease, that the 
part of my waggon against which he leaned was painted, or rather 
