(PLAITS 
BAVIAN’S KLOOF (THE GLEN OF BABOONS), GENADENDAL. 
Behind the Moravian settlement of Genadendal, extending far up, like a tortuous fissure, between abrupt and savage 
mountains, is the Bavian’s Kloof, or Glen. As the pedestrian pursues the winding path that, skirting the margin of a 
gurgling mountain torrent, leads him up the glen, the opening becomes narrower and the way more rugged and difficult. 
An angle in the Kloof displays scenery of the wildest and most romantic character : steep, broken cliffs, leading upwards 
to grey and jagged mountains, where the eagles are hovering, half hid by the driving mist; and then, far beyond, pearly 
patches of snow, shining above the wreaths of vapour that linger over the glen. Darkly the foaming torrent rushes 
along its pebbled bed, now hid by matted rushes and clustering vegetation, making a dull, hollow sound beneath them, 
and anon dancing and leaping in white restless foam from rock to rock, till it terminates in a black, still pool, with 
granite margin, looking yellow and transparent where it is shallow, as all mountain-born streams do. Heaths of every 
shade, crimson aloes, and the clustering passion-flowers, are amongst the many plants that adorn the Bavian’s Kloof; 
and higher up, amid the grey rocks where the merry and mischievous baboons sport, there are the bright and starlike 
everlasting-flowers, curtaining the precipices with their red, and white, and amber drapery. It is up this beautiful glen 
that the peaceful inhabitants of Gnadenthal are wont to ramble on a sultry summer’s eve; the little children bathe in 
the dark granite pool; and the sisters of Herrnhault bring home garlands of heaths and everlastings to adorn their quiet, 
happy homes. 
