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STATE OF EDUCATION AMONG THE BOORS.

manner of education there. Asking for the principal school, he was conducted to a miserable hovel, where there were a number of children crowded together without any occupation, and in so wild and noisy a state, that it was with some difficulty he could obtain a reply to his inquiry for the master. "There he is," said one of them, as soon as silence could be obtained, pointing to a withered old man, who lay on a little bed in one corner of the apartment: "Are you the school-master, my good friend?" inquired Stoubert; "Yes, Sir." "And what do you teach the children?" Nothing, Sir, nothing." "How is that?" "Because," replied the old man, with characteric simplicity, "I know nothing myself." "Why, then, were you appointed schoolmaster?"

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Why, Sir, I had been taking care of the Waldbach pigs for a great number of years, and when I got too old and infirm for that employment, they sent me here to take care of the children."

Such, alas, is but too apt an illustration of the state of education amongst the Boors in the more remote districts of this Colony; and I cannot but think, that, while there has been a laudable zeal manifested on behalf of the native tribes beyond the borders, the solitary condition of the Boors scattered along the frontiers-shut out from all intercourse with society-has been sadly neglected, if not altogether overlooked. Within the last few years, however, the attention of the government has been

directed to this important object, and schools, with efficient masters, have been established in every district. The salutary effects are now beginning to be felt in the formation of useful societies, public libraries, reading-rooms, and, above all, by a higher tone of moral and intellectual feeling spreading throughout the colony. The Editor of the South African Advertiser, in a recent article adverting to the benefits resulting from the formation of agricultural societies, makes the following remarks :

"Nature has done her part, the earth and sky invite our industry, and hold out a boundless reward. The contemplated improvement in the condition of the labourer will, it may confidently be hoped, in a short time put into the hands of the farmer an improved instrument for the production of wealth. Instead of the listless limb of the ignorant slave, he will have for assistance and reliance, the head and heart of a free and educated peasantry. The great Poet has said,

There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune;'

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and every man of observation must see that in this Colony the tide' has turned in our favour; it is rapidly rising and covering the shallows,' and the miseries where we have lingered long, and bearing us almost unconsciously towards shores of fairest promise. This, then, is the moment for cheerful enterprise-for united exertion, for friendly emu

VOL. II.

F

lation, and all those individual and combined efforts in behalf of our rising community, which dignify a free and enlightened people.

"To kindle, or to fan this flame, the agricultural societies are everywhere exerting their strength, and have a solid claim to the zealous co-operation of every one who professes to love his country-of every one, indeed, who understands his own interest. Though yet but in their infancy, the influence of these societies has been beneficially felt far and near. But they have still much to accomplish in the way of EXCITEMENT. The farmers live so far apart from each other, that the spirit of emulation, and even of imitation, languishes and falls to the earth between them. Instead of comparing himself with his more active neighbour, and girding up his loins to overtake and pass him in the race, the solitary Boor is too apt to talk of his grandfather, to plead old custom as a bar to experiment, and to hold himself excused from the labour of thought, by a dutiful adherence to the habits of his infancy. The diffusion of mere agricultural information will not break this spell. To tell men how to sow and plough and reap is only part of our business. The poorest practical farmer is perhaps better qualified than any lay member of these societies to give instruction on such matters. He will do most to improve the agriculture of the country, who shall open the eyes of the agriculturists generally to the magnitude, importance,

and certainty of the rewards which follow enterprise and perseverance. By Rewards,' we do not mean silver cups, or other honorary premiums given by the agricultural societies. These have their weight. But personal comforts, elevation in the scale of civilized life, the means of educating their children, and launching them into the world with better prospects of success than their predecessors enjoyed, independence, rank and station in society,-awaken an ardent desire for such rewards as these, and all that man can wish for in the way of industry will speedily follow. In all these respects the present condition of the Boors in many of the districts is truly deplorable.

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Miserably deficient in clothing, in furniture, in culinary utensils, in apartments-half-a-dozen people often sleeping in the same room-without instruction, destitute of books, we have seen respectable fathers and mothers of families, who, in their youth, had known better things, sit down and weep over the unconcealable deterioration of their offspring. But such fits of regret were only momentary. Habit had reconciled them to this wretched mode of life; there was nothing either around or within them to stir up their ambition, or to carry them over the first pains or anxieties of unusual toil and new undertakings.

"In attempting to improve the physical condition of any people in such circumstances, we must begin.

with the Mind. The intellectual powers, and the moral instincts must be cultivated, regulated, and refined. A strong mind strengthens the body. It is the source of all energy and action. A pure mind purifies its dwelling. Nudity, raggedness, and filth, are utterly inconsistent with high-toned morality, or the sentiments inspired by so bold a hope as that of immortal life in regions of stainless light. Rouse this hope, communicate this mental strength, and the desired improvements in man's physical condition follow as naturally as the green blade, the stalk, the ear, the corn in the ear grow up, we know not how, under the invisible influence of the seasons.

"We by no means affirm that these great truths have been overlooked; but we submit that there is room for increased exertion on all sides on the part of those who labour to diffuse knowledge among the Colonists. It must be brought to their doors—it must be presented in every attractive shape-it must be made cheap, and of easy access. Where has this been done? In how few of our villages has a public library been established! Even the ordinary elementary books for the pupils are, in many instances, wanting in our schools! If the truths we refer to, therefore, have not been overlooked altogether, we cannot but admit that their importance has not been duly estimated."