CHAP. IX. 
NATIVE SINGING AT HANKEY. 
243 
him an honourable position amongst the earliest advocates of 
civil and religious liberty in that country. 
Before we left, the people of Hankey, and those of Kruis 
Fontayn, invited us to a public tea meeting at their re¬ 
spective stations, a sort of African soiree, which was con¬ 
ducted with great propriety and much good feeling at both 
places. The meeting at Hankey was held in the only large 
building in the place, which at present serves the double 
purpose of church and school. More than 200 persons were 
present, occupying seats on both sides of the building, while 
a line of tables, covered with crockery and dishes of cakes of 
different kinds, was extended along the centre. Mr. Philip 
presided, a number of females had charge of the tables, 
and the tea and cakes were carried on trays to the company 
with readiness and order. The social entertainment was at 
intervals enlivened with singing by the natives, both in English 
and Dutch. Mr. Philip has paid much attention to this 
important part of his people’s education, and must feel amply 
rewarded in witnessing the proficiency of many of his pupils. 
One young African mother, with a child in her arms, seemed 
to possess an unusually mellow voice. Sometimes a select 
few sang a favourite piece, and at other times a larger 
number joined. There was no need for repeated solicitations 
before commencing, and there were no plaudits at the close; 
but to both singers and listeners it seemed to afford a high 
degree of enjoyment. 
Speeches were delivered in the intervals between the 
singing, and the addresses of some of the men were exceed¬ 
ingly striking. There was no previously arranged programme 
of subjects to be discussed, but each one spoke from the 
promptings of his own feelings. On this account it was 
curious to note the different tenor of the remarks as indi¬ 
cating the tone and current of their thoughts. Little refe¬ 
rence was made to the future. Hope did not seem to have 
