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ledge among them, that whatever they
once possessed of principle has evapo-
rated, and they now practise, without
so much as surmising a cause for what
custom,-unintelligible custom, has con-
tinued among them.

This picture of a people wholly un-
tutored, is too singular to be passed
over slightly. M. Alberti says,

a power which the Caffres express by saying, "the elephant is a powerful lord, his trunk is his arm." According to the opinion of the Caffres, death annihilates the soul with the body; and this opinion appears to augment the terrors of death. Nevertheless, it does not diminish their prowess in battle.

author,

The Caffres have, like the ancient Iaraelites, the notion of a moral defilement, incurred in certain cases. The person thus defiled, is excluded for a time, from intercourse with others, and there are established rules for his purification. It is not allowed him to wash himself, nor to paint his body, during the whole period of his defilement; he is forbidden also from the use of milk [their usual nourishment] and from all intercourse with the other sex; after the time of his confinement has expired, he purifies himself by washing again, painting his skin, and rincing his mouth with milk.

Such is our author's account of a part of the Caffre character; but, as if man were destined, in every state, saThe Caffres have absolutely no idea of vage as well as civilized, to offer a mass the Divinity, or of any invisible being, to of contradictions, these people who which they might attribute the exertion of know no God, are nevertheless conany influence over them, or over nature inscious of moral impurity. Says our general. Other nations, not civilized, render some kind of worship to the sun, or to some other object, real or imaginary, and by that discover some notion of a cause for the ordinary and extraordinary phenomena of nature, or some acknowledgement in a general way, of the existence of an active power from which they may await either good or evil; but no trace of any such belief is found among the Caffres. They have neither priests, nor any religious ceremony. Sometimes indeed, they seem to attribute an unfortunate event to the influence of I know not what inexplicable power, displeased or angry with them; on such occasions they endeavour to appease this wrath by submissions, or to avert it by marks of respect: but it does not appear that they conceive of any universal agent, All children are considered as unor that they personify in any way this clean, until the age of puberty—or cirobscure power, or that they consider it as cumcision: females are unclean at cerbeing either corporeal or spiritual. Occa- tain periods; also, after the death of a ionally, for instance, they regard a sick-husband or child; after childbirth, &c. ness, as the consequence of some offence The man whose wife is dead, is ungiven to a river, from which the horde has clean during half a lunar month; the been accustomed to draw water; in this case they fancy they can appease the river, woman whose husband is dead, is unby throwing into it the entrails of some clean during a whole month. beast from their herd, or a certain quantity returning from battle is defiled till he has of millet. A Caffre died, accidentally, washed himself; and if, during a storm, some days after he had carried away part the lightning should strike within the of the anchor of a vessel, which had been limits where a herde inhabits, the whole wrecked on the coast, and his death was horde is polluted; the place is abanregarded as a punishment for his offence doned; the inhabitants purify themcommitted against that anchor; since that accident, no Cafire passes by the broken selves by immolating several head of anchor, without saluting it, with design to cattle, and in the mean while, all interavert its anger from himself. When after course is suspended between this defiled a multitude of labours, they have accom- horde and all others. plished the death of an elephant, they haste away to make their apologies to the corpse, alledging that they had not premeditated his slaughter, but that it was the consequence of a mere accident: they then inter his trunk very carefully, to deprive him of the imaginary power to hurt them, and to avenge his death;

A man

These accounts give rise to many reflections. The first is, that these people formerly held many things in common with others: whence did they obtain the rite of circumcision, but from some authority, now unknown to them? and whence the notion of moral poliu

tion, had they not formerly been in- | them in morals, in enjoyments, or
structed? They have retained the fear in civilization.
inherent in human nature; which, says
Lucretius, first made gods; yet they
have neither images, nor symbols, nor
representations in any shape, nor any
mental references to the Supreme Be-
ing, or to any subordinate power, com-
missioned by him to

Ride in the whirlwind, and direct the storm.

The Caffres relish food prepared in the European manner: above all they are fond of bread: but they refuse to eat swine's flesh, hares, geese, or ducks, and all kinds of fish. They indulge in smoking tobacco of their own growth. They dress skins, of which to make their dresses, with great dexterity and patience. They have their personal ornaments also; and they endure

What a total renunciation of what it every extrehas been thought, even the light of ua-mity of pain, rather than part with some ture must teach! And yet these peo- of them, which are marks of personal ple are not without curiosity, nor with- valour, and badges of honour and disout a desire to preserve their old connec- tinction. tions, and to renew their remembrance of former ties. The work opens with an account of a visit received by Gaïka, King of the Caffres, from a party of ten of his nation, who resided so far off as to have spent three months in their journey; and whose language was intelligible to few besides the king himself; who described them as coming from the country, out of which all the Caffres came. They brought with them twenty cattle for their sustenance; and were excited to this tedious undertaking, simply by curiosity, by the desire of knowing to what distance the Caffre tribes extended in the country.

This is not the conduct of men lost in stupidity, but proves the possession of no inactive intellect; and indeed, the laws and customs of these people, generally, are not destitute of a certain portion of wisdom and refinement, savage though they be.

They know no other calculation of time, than by the month; the women state their age by the number of their children; they are aged-one, two, or three children; while the men count their fingers: and after two or three tens, their arithmetic ends: yet so sharp is their sight, that out of a herd of five hundred cattle, they readily detect the absence of any one. They believe in omens, in witchcraft, and in the power of magic.

They train their cattle with as much assiduity as a European trains his setting-dog and no dog more accurately obeys his master, than a herd of cattle obeys the Caffre's whistle, by which they are ordered to the right, or to the left, to collect around him, to disperse, to stop in their progress, to go single, or in a body, &c.

Their mode of courtship and marriage, differs little from that of other savages: We had already inserted an epitome the bride is bought by a number of catof the contents of this volume, before tle: the negotiation is more or less obit was imported. M. Alberti, accom- stinate, according to circumstances; panied M. Jansens, the Dutch gover- after all is adjusted, the betrothed nor, on a visit to the Caffres, who set-pair are brought to receive the nuptial tled themselves on territories, part of the colonial possessions, besides others beyond the Dutch Boundaries. He remained with them some months. He describes the country, the people, their stature, their food, dress, education, mode of life, government, &c. He ad vises, that they be restricted to localities, as far removed as possible from intercourse with the colonists; and that they be left entirely to themselves. He even objects to all attempts to improve

exhortation from the chief of the troop,
who reminds the bride that he is happy
to see her so respectably united; and
that" from this time it will be her duty
to manage the domestic concerns of her
spouse with zeal and activity: he ex-
horts her particularly to labour in culti-
vating the earth; and in general to con-
duct herself as becomes an excellent
wife, that she may give no occasion of
complaint." In return for this exhor-
tation, the bride makes her humble

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thanks to the chief for his sage advice, and returns to her company by whom she is attended. The bridegroom, in his turn, steps forward before the great man, to receive his admonition.

Since, at this time, thou quittest the cabin of thy father, to establish thyself at the head of thine own, govern it as a man should do; comport thyself in such a manner, that not only thy wife and thy children may never feel any deficiency of meat and of milk for their support, but that thou mayest be able also to receive thy chief in a suitable receive thy chief in a suitable manner whenever he may visit thee, and that thou mayest be able to pay him the tax which belongs to him.”

Travels in South Africa. Undertaken at the request of the Missionary Society. By John Campbell, Minister of Kingsland Chapel. 8vo. pp. 524, price 14s. For the Author, London, 1815.

VERY different motives influenced fluenced M. Alberti; and it may be Mr. Campbell from those which inpresumed, at the mere mention of their different in relation to some particulars, would be purposes, that their testimony So far as the manners of the Caffres are tremely distinct, if not contradictory. concerned, much is common to them both, though it does not appear that berti's work; but respecting the beneMr. Campbell was acquainted with Alfits conferred on Africa by the Missionaries, their opinions are at variance.

These addresses are delivered in public assembly. The enclosure in which the cattle are secured by night serving for the pretorium and tribunal of this Not that Mr. Campbell here communisupreme magistrate. The marriage is cates a full report on the state of missiocomplete, if the bride drinks a portion nary exertions, and of missions, as he saw of milk, presented to her on this occathem in South Africa: although he jussion: the whole group of witnesses ex-tifies equally, the commendations uniclaiming, "She drinks the milk !"— Polygamy is allowed; the wives live together very comfortably; and if one dies the others adopt her children. But those wives who have no rivals have the more numerous issue. Polygamy favours national population very little, if at all.

The Caffres are very active in the chase, and their manner of surrounding a lion, is described by M. Alberti, auch to the same effect as Kolben had formerly described it,

versally bestowed on the Moravian establishments; with the censures against an English missionary staadded Pella, a most melancholy spot, tion, Bethelsdorp; to which may be

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not less unfertile and waste than its coadjutor. Mr. Campbell acknowledges also, speaking of Dr. Vanderkemp, that he was an eccentric man, and did eccentric things, which it is not my business to vindicate;" this is expressed by M. Alberti, as it had been The political institutions of these by M. Lichtenstein, with less reserve: demi-savages, their customs in relation he thinks the English missionaries have to war and peace, with their maxims of done more harm than good;-because government, must be read in the volume they entirely neglect the instruction itself. It resembles a contradiction that of their converts in the mechanic arts, they should be regulated to such a de- which ought to be the first degree of gree as they really are, yet be entirely civilization for these savages ;" and this destitute of professional advisers, or re- he attributes to the total ignorance of cords, of priesthood, and of those the persons sent out as missionaries, in many other authorities which have al- the arts of civilization, and in the order ways been thought absolutely indispens- of things proper to be observed with reable to the existence or preservation of spect to minds uninformed. This subany kind of policy and government ject, therefore, we must leave; but not among men. without regret, that a better fortune, the consequence of superior judgment, had not attended those efforts, which gave occasion to the adventurous expedition of which Mr. Campbell now presents the history to the public.

For further particulars extracted from this work, as reported from a Continental Communication, Vide LITERARY PANORAMA, New Series, Vol. I.

P. 103.

This traveller has probably made a | a member of the whip club might envy ; and, when occasion demands, they can make wonderful exertions, and display infinite activity, whether in the chace or the field, provided it promise variety. Whoever travels in Africa should be a naturalist, a botanist, a geographer, an astronomer, a draughtsman,— in short, a complete man of science: he should concentrate in himself the practice of almost every art that is known. Such qualifications do not fall to the lot of many; but had they been added to the other good qualities of this writer, his opportunities of remark would have been more keenly improved, without any detriment to the main object of his voyage.

more complete tour of Southern Africa, than any of his predecessors in African journeys. He first travels east, (misprinted west, in the introductory advertisement); to Bethelsdorp, and to the Great Fish river, the boundary of the Colony towards the Caffres, beyond which they are now repulsed, in conformity to the opinion of M. Alberti. He then proceeds almost due north, to Orange river, and from thence further north to Lattakoo; of which our readers may find an account in our first volume, and our first number, with a wood cut, representing a dwelling of the natives. Returning to Orange river, Mr. Campbell traces that stream from its source almost to its mouth, travelling west; and then, directing his progress southward, after many difficulties he safely reaches the Cape. Much of this course is new, and much of it is desert, beyond improvement by human labour: on the other hand, Mr. C. reports the discovery of millions of acres yielding, unenjoyed, abundant supplies for cattle, and consequently for man; with woods of stately trees, furnishing the most usefal timber, but of no value, because there are no inhabitants within reach, From Mr. Burchers, minister of Stellenwhich might demand them; more-bosch, I received the following account of over, there are no inhabitants in the first two earthquakes, which occurred many places, because that indispen- here three years ago. sable necessary of life, water, is bestowed with uncertain and usually with reluctant, hand, by nature, while oceans of sand inundate the country, and vegetation is every where overwhelmed by their deadly domination.

We shall proceed to justify this remark, by extracting and combining some of those incidental observations which the reverend traveller has scattered in various parts of his volume: they will at least furnish hints, from which his successors may derive advantage.

The earthquakes which about three (or four) years ago convulsed the Cape of Good Hope, were preceded by circumstances deserving notice. Says Mr. C.

"The church at Paarl, about eight miles distant, was then vacant. The governor desired me to preach once a month there. On

a Saturday before setting off to that place, I felt exceedingly dull and indolent. On Sabbath morning my wife and I went to Paarl. On reaching it I felt very feeble, True it is, that, here and there, a aud asked for some water, but could not boor has taken root and rankly vege- drink it, for it was luke-warm. They said tates in consummate idleness: his it was brought from the fountain. I sent nights he passes in sleep, and his days my own slave to the fountain, but what in listless slumber: he has nothing to he brought was warm also. I went my think of-nothing to talk of nothing account for this. While preaching, I found self, and found it the same. We could not to do.-His life is a life of nothingness! myself so dull, I hardly knew what I said. for, why should he labour? He assembles I mentioned my feelings to some of the thirty hottentots about him, to do the people after zermon, who said they felt in work of three; and the whole duties of a the same way. Next morning we returned day consist in fetching his whip from to Stellenbosch. All day my family, mythe hook on which it hangs, and re-self and slaves, and even the dogs, were placing it after a drive, a ride, of a unweil. lounge. Yet can some of these Colonists boast of a skill in driving a waggon drawn by a dozen oxen, at which, VOL II. Lit. Pan. New Series.

April 1.

"At ten o'clock at night we were all thousand waggons running along the alarmed with a noise resembling that of a streets. We did not know what it was,

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but my family were terrified. A great light shone into the room. Supposing it had been thunder, I told them not to be afraid, for the danger was over, the lightning being gone. While talking, the same noise as before was repeated, and every thing shook. Oh! said I, it is an earthquake: come all out of the house into the garden. We felt as if there had been no life in us, as the scripture expresses it. There was then a third shock, which was inferior to the former two. The noise was not only awful, because of its loudness, but

also from the nature of the sound-it was

Griqua land. Were the ladies' gowns in England woven of this substance, many lives would annually be saved, that are lost by their dress catching fire; for cloth made from it stands. the fire, and the ancients burned their dead in such cloth to retain their real ashes. A considerable portion of it is used in making their roads. It is very remarkable that it is called by the Griquaas, handkerchief stone.

This variation of colour-deep bluegolden-white, &c. all found near the same spot, is, we apprehend, extraordinary.

a kind of melancholy groan or howl. The dogs and bird's shewed, by their noise, that "A powder mine," of no common they were terrified, which added to the fame, to which both beaux and belles horror of that night. The night was very among the Griquas, and Boutchuana still; there was no wind, but I observed tribes, are deeply indebted for an essena great number of little fiery meteors. Itial addition to that personal appearance noticed some little clouds, in different di-rections, like thunder-clouds, but they had something new in their aspect. The people came all flocking to me in the garden, much alarmed. I said what I could to support their minds. At length we ventured again into our house, when we tried to get a little sleep to refresh us, but we tried

in vain."

If this change of temperature in the water, should prove to be a decisive symptom of approaching shocks, it might give occasion to salutary precautions.

Altogether singular, so far as we recollect, and equally interesting, is Mr. C.'s discovery of the Mountains of Asbestos. We give it in his own words. Day-light discovered the beauty of the It scenery that surrounded Hardcastle. lies in a valley not above three miles in eircumference, surrounded by the Asbestos Mountains of diversified shapes. There are four long passes between the mountains, leading from it in different direc tions, which not only increase the convenience of the situation, but add greatly to the grandeur of the prospect around. Some of us walked after breakfast to examine the abestos rocks, where we found plenty of that rare mineval, between strata frocks. That which becomes, by a little beating, soft as cotton, is all of Prussian blue. When ascending a mountain alone, I found some of the colour of gold, but not soft, or of a cotton texture like the blue; some I found white, and brown, and green, | &c. Had this land been known to the ancients in the days of imperial Rome, anany a mercantile pilgrimage would have been made to the Asbestos Mountains in

in which mankind delight, is well entitled to distinction. White powder for the hair was a favourite with European ladies lately; gold-dust (sanctioned by Venus herself) enjoyed its pre-eminence as a hair powder, ages ago; the Saxon dames of our island, preferred blue; and this is less unnatural, it seems, than we had thought it; for such is the taste of these sons and daughters of Nature in South Africa.

Thermometer at sun-sise, 44. Blink or Shining Mountain, at the foot of which we were, is a kind of Mecca to the surrounding nations. They are constantly making pilgrimages thither, not indeed to pay religious homage, but only to obtain fresh supplies of blue powder to ornament their hair. For how many ages this cus tom has existed, none can say; it is from time immemorial, and no doubt will coutinue till some great revolution in the sentiments of the people shall take place. In the present state of society such a journey must afford much entertainment, having little at home to make one day differ from This constant sameness has a another. tendency to bring the mind into a kind of torpid state, which it is distressing even to witness. The gospel is remarkably fitted for rousing such sleeping, inactive minds, by placing before them the majesty and glory of the infinite Jehovah, the endless, unbounded felicity of the blessed, and the unspeakable misery of the wicked in the world to come-subjects which in all ages have produced wonderful effects on the human mind.

After breakfast, Mr. Read and I, with one of our Hottentots carrying a lighted caudic, proceeded to explore this powder

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