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prietor, one of whose Hottentots had just killed a tiger. Having discovered his baunt, the African armed himself with a club, and with ten dogs went in quest of the animal, which he found at home, and as soon as the beast discovered his enemies, disregard. ing the dogs, he sprung upon the man. The intrepid Hottentot, wrapping his arm in his cloak, waited the attack, and dashed the tiger upon the ground; the dogs immediately fastened on him, and held him down while their master despatched him. At a subsequent halt, they were introduced to a very singular personage, and as she is made the principal object in a very graphic sketch of an African interior, we shall quote the whole passage, though somewhat long.

Sister Schmitt reported, that on going to procure some milk from the farmer's wife, living on the hill eastward of our camp, she had found her to be a woman of uncommon size, occupying a huge arm chair, above a yard wide, out of which she was scarcely able to lift herself. She had expressed a wish to see the whole of our party, and certainly, though she herself would excite as much curiosity in Eng. land, as the famous Lambert, she had a right to consider us, as Englishmen, equally worthy of attention in Africa. Otherwise, being perfectly content with things of ordinary size and appearance, I should not have gone a step out of my way to see a monster. But being so kindly invited, we went in a body to pay the lady a morning visit, at her own house, if the hovel she inhabited, may be dignified by that name. It consisted of an oblong square, enclosed in a wall of unburnt bricks, one half of which was covered with a roof of rushes. The entrance was through the uncovered part. In this vestibule three or four naked slave-children were crawling about; a woman, partially clothed in rags, with a child strapped to her breast, was cooking some victuals at a fire, and dirt, guts, old shoes, rags of sheep-skins, and other filth, occupied every part of the premises, out and inside. On entering the main apartment, the first thing that met the eye, was the carcase of a sheep just killed, hanging from a cross-beam with a pool of blood on the clay floor, under the head: five fox-coloured cats were sitting round, watching for their share of the spoil; a milk-pail, churn, and some other kitchen utensils to the right; and to the left, the lady herself, who kindly invited Sister Schmitt to come and sit down on a stool, between her and the pendant carcase. Her husband, a very civil, old man, with a grey beard, and a large straw hat, sat at the table, and a bench was placed for us, between the carcase and the door. The lady herself entered freely into conversation, told us, that notwithstanding her enormous bulk, she was only forty-three years old, and good humouredly observed, that Sister Schmitt looked now only like a little girl, passing several jokes on the difference between them. Her face still retained some vivacity and comeliness Her body entirely filled the vast chair she sat in, on the arms of which her elbows rested. She intended soon to remove to another habitation on Serjeants Revier. When once hoisted into the waggon she can no more quit it, till she arrives at the place of her destination. From her wooden throne, she issued her commands to her slaves, Hottentots,

and brutes, with the same shrill voice for which the African ladies are noted. Close to the dwelling, was the beast-kraal, and the surrounding premises exhibited a congeries of lumber, rags, ruin, and disorder, not to be described. Through all this chaos, ran a small stream of spring-water, clear as crystal, in vain offering its aid to cleanse the Augean stable. The lady, however, conscious of mortality, had already provided herself with a coffin of immense size, which, with her gigantic bed, is screened off the apartment by a bulkhead of matting.'

At Uitenhagen they received the most courteous attentions from the landdrost, Colonel Cuyler, who furnished them with the means of visiting the neighbouring missionary settlement of Bethelsdorp. Mr. Latrobe seems to have been greatly struck with the hopeless dreariness of its general aspect. This is a subject not now before us, but we may take the opportunity of sug gesting the inquiry, whether, if it be really so ill-chosen a place as it is represented, it might not be wise, at once to encounter the expense and exertion necessary for its removal to a more eligible spot. At length, on the Witte, a stream tributary to the Zondag's river, a glen was explored, which appeared to combine so many advantages as to gratify the utmost wishes of the whole party. Messrs. Melville and Schmitt admired it for its general adaptation to the purposes of the mission; Mr. Latrobe, agreeing in this opinion, was in raptures with its romantic situation; and the Hottentots, without troubling their heads with Mr. L.'s picturesque propensities, were delighted with the abundance of sweet grass for their cattle. The description of this place and of the adjacent scenery, is really enchanting, and we very sincerely congratulate the Moravian missionaries on the gratifying result of the whole transaction. The utmost delicacy towards previous settlers, the most scrupulous respect to property, unwearied diligence in investigation, and an enlightened regard to all imaginable contingencies, seem to us to have distinguished the conduct of Mr. Latrobe and his companions, and we are glad to find that their selection of a station has been approved and ratified by the Colonial administration. We regret that the description communicated by Mr. L. is too long for transcription, and too complicated for abridgement. Notwithstanding, however, that the travellers were so completely satisfied with this desirable place, they felt it their duty to complete their exploration, and journeyed forward to the Great Fish River, the boundary between the Colony and Caffraria. A situation had been here pointed out to them, which on the whole they approved; but there were some difficulties on the subject of possession: the property had been forfeited, and the proprietor was still living; they did not therefore feel themselves at liberty to take advantage of the alternative offered them. The settlement of Somerset, under the superintendence of Dr. Mackrill, though somewhat

nearer the Cape than the absolute extremity of their journey, may be considered as its last stage At this place, with excellent policy has been established a magazine, containing every article of traffic suited to the necessities and conveniences of the neighbouring settlers, whether Boors, Hottentots, or Kaffers; and we should hope that a friendly and commercial feeling might be gradually introduced. The incidents of Mr. Latrobe's return, do not appear to call for very minute detail. On this, as on other parts of his travels, he met with bitter complaints against the system of taxation introduced by Government; and with all his disposition to repose on the wisdom, justice, and benevolence of our present administration,' he seems fully convinced of its gross impolicy. Indeed, if the statement of Mr. Van Roy and others be a fair one, and it should seem so by Mr. L.'s tacit, or rather explicit assent, we are utterly at a loss to account for the almost incredible absurdity of such regulations.

He spoke as a friend to the English, but regretted that they were losing their popularity in the colony, by taxation, and the mode of settling the quit-rents. He thought it hard, that when a man had done every thing in his power to improve his farm, by making watercourses for irrigation, clearing land, &c. that those very improvements should tell against him, and he be charged a higher rent than his neighbour, who was an indolent man, suffering his estate to go to decay, when in fact it was better land, and more productive, and therefore more able to bear the burden.'

It might be reasonably supposed, that in many cases, measures of this kind would excite much clamour, merely from their novelty, and from their temporary pressure; but when we find repeated instances in which farms have been thrown up from inability to pay the new duties, charges for measurement, and high quit rents,' it becomes impossible to resist the evidence which proves the injurious effects of such undae rapacity.

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May 11, the travelers reached Gnadenthal, where Mr. Latrobe remained till June 11, when he took his final departure. At the moment of his entering his travelling waggon, the Hottentots began their farewell hymn.

At this moment I felt all resistance to my feelings give way.. Never have I experienced a keener pang, on leaving any place, or any friends, to whom I was attached Gnadenthal is indeed a spot, where I have found myself so much at home, and where almost every object conspired to fill my mind with grateful remembrances and contemplations, that, though convinced of my duty to proceed to Groenekloof, where business of importance to that settlement demanded my presence, I found it necessary to do violence to my feelings. to tear myself loose. But my spirit will often dwell in those hallowed groves, accompany the congregation into the house of prayer, attend them during their truly solemn assemblies, beheid with affection and delight the pious labours of their teachers, participate in their joys, their sor

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rows, and their cares, and enjoy an aftertaste of the heavenly comfort attending the administration of the holy sacraments, by the presence and power of our Lord and Saviour.'

On his journey to the Cape, Mr. L. received the following account of a war and pacification between two rival nations of monkeys.

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The Great Haue Hoek presents itself here, with many peaks. Its rocks are the habitations of baboons, which, indeed, occupy the summits of all the neighbouring hills. Mr. Urie entertained us with an account of a combat he had lately beheld, on the waste, adjoining his gardens, batween a large herd of baboons from the Haue Hoek, and a party from the opposite range. It was maintained on both sides with great fury, and with horrid yells and barkings, when, suddenly, a stop was put to it, by an unfortunate jackall running in among them. The poor animal was seized by one party and thrown towards the other, then back again. His cries, added to those of the combatants, filled the air with the most discordant sounds, till the death of the intruder seemed to give the signal for a general retreat.'

It should seem by this fact, that men and monkeys are pretty much upon the same system: great nations fall out, and smaller states find themselves involved in the quarrel.

The remaining season of Mr. L.'s stay was divided between the Cape and Groenekloof, where he assisted in laying the foundation of a new church. Much interesting and amusing detail is given respecting the internal economy of this rising settlement; but as many of our readers are, no doubt, well acquainted with the leading particulars relating to the Moravian missions, we abstain from further reference. For the same reason we refrain from extracting part of a very impressive description of a struggle between the missionary Schmidt and a tiger, but which has been already detailed in the Periodical Accounts of the Missions of the Brethren: Vol. I. page 118.

While at the Cape, Mr. Latrobe's time was pleasantly spent in visits to surrounding residences and scenery, in intercourse with friends, and in interviews with the Governor and the officers of administration. He had originally agreed for his passage in the Brilliant, but relinquished his intention in compliance with the wish of Lord Charles Somerset, who was de sirous of placing his son Plantagenet under the care of Mr. L. during the voyage to England, and with that view provided accommodation for both on board H. M. S. Zebra. On the 17th of October they sailed. Their first object was St. Helena, and the moment we saw the name, we read forward with an eagerness proportioned to our expectation of valuable information respecting the man of mighty name imprisoned there. We were, however, greatly disappointed, for Mr. Latrobe tells VOL. XI. N. S.

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us very little with which we were previously unacquainted. He makes many common-place remarks, which seem to us perfectly uncalled for, and communicates from the best authority' the following anecdote.

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A butcher at James-town, who used to deliver meat for his (Bonaparte's) table, being at length wearied out with continual repetition of complaints, though he furnished the best meat he could procure, directed the following laconic epistle to the Governor: "Sir Hudson! May it please your Excellency, this same General Bonaparte is hard to please. I begs to be excused sarving him any longer with meat." "" " p. 380.

After touching at Ascension Island, the ship ran for England, and without stopping at any intermediate port, reached the anchorage at Cowes, December 9. The following recapitulation of the mingled melodies' of a ship of war, has to landsmen the recommendation of novelty, and is amusingly described.

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In sleepless nights, I was both disturbed and amused by the various noises on board a ship of war. First, the centinel before our door cried, Log-time! The officer of the watch on deck: Heave the log! Hold the reel! Shortly after Strike the bell! The Zebra's bell, however, being broken when she went on shore in Simon's bay, it sounded like an old tin kettle, till the broken piece fell out, by which its tone was improved. This lasted about a fortnight, when by some means it got another crack, and lost its voice entirely. As make-shifts are very common among sailors, they found, on trial, that striking with the hammer on the look of the anchor, answered the purpose as well, and that was now our bell. It is struck every half hour, but not in imitation of a clock. The day is divided into six parts. At twelve at noon, it strikes eight times, or eight bells, as the phrase is, two and two strokes distinct,,,,,, ', • at half after twelve, one stroke; at one, two strokes; at half-past one, three; and so on till four o'clock; when, of course, the eight strokes return. Then, beginning with one at half-past eight o'clock, they are again complete at twelve. If the officer says to the Captain, it is twelve or six o'clock, the answer is, "make it so." When the King was sailing in a frigate at Weymouth, hearing the commander use that expression, he observed: You, Sir, have more power than I have; I cannot make it what time I please." After the bell has struck, the sailors placed as watch on the shrouds, and fore-castle, cry out, as loud as they can, lest they should be suspected of sleeping: Larboard quarter; Starboard quarter; Larboard bow. In the morning, there is pumping, scrubbing, trampling overhead, and the noise increases.' pp. 389, 390.

The notices respecting Natural History, are so brief and scattered, that we have been unable to reduce them to any tangible form. With Botany, Mr. L. does not seem to be much acquainted, and in fact the Flora of the Cape, and the leading particulars connected with the birds, beasts, and reptiles of

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