plant hundreds more. Nor would this have been now growing
here, but for the listless laziness of its owner; who, having a few
years before cut a block of willow-wood, and brought it from the
river, with the intention of converting it into a bowl, or a bambus, laid
it in the water-run to preserve it from cracking; but could never find
himself sufficiently in the mood for work, to commence the long-
meditated job. In the mean time the log of wood, more active than
the man, took root, and rapidly pushing up shoots, a stem, and
branches, stood before him a flourishing tree, a growing reproach to
his idleness and dilatory spirit
At the request of the missionaries I drew their portraits, as
they expressed a wish to send a remembrance to their friends in
Europe; and added also a duplicate for themselves. I was far
from regretting the time employed in this work; as it could not
but be a pleasure to gratify the feelings of persons banished, as
it may be said, not only from the society to which they naturally belonged,
but cut off even from all communication with their friends.
10th. Four Koras paid me a visit ; and I purchased of . them
a fresh ©strich-egg for a small piece of tobacco. They belonged
to a neighbouring kraal, and of which one of them was
the chief. Of this man I drew the portrait represented at Plate 10.
After making the bargain to give him a large piece of tobacco, he
stood patiently and still, till I had finished my drawing; which, however,
being done only with a black-lead pencil, excited little wonder
or admiration, compared to that which he and his companions expressed
at my drawing of the Yellow-fish. It is by the imitation of
the lively colors of nature, far more than by exactness of forms,
that drawings afford delight to the far greater number of those
who view them: correctness and fidelity of outline being more
seldom duly appreciated, although the more valuable part of the art.
This Kora wore on his head a piece of leather, bound round
in the form of a cap, and in the manner of a turban; and was
clothed with a leathern cloak or kaross, which, together with his
whole body, were so covered with red ochre and grease, that the
part of my waggon against which he leaned was painted, or rather