talking and in questioning them on various subjects; but, although
exceedingly amused by the novelty and strangeness of the scene,
I cannot say that this mode of employing my time was very instructive,
or that I gained many new ideas from their conversation.
Still, it was extremely interesting, because it gave an opportunity
of observing man in an uncivilized state, and enabled me to distinguish
some of those characters which may be regarded as common
to all the human race. And, if among Bushmen, are to be met with,
many of those failings, of which we find examples too frequently
among ourselves; there are, to counterbalance these, several good
qualities, which usually, we are not disposed to allow that savages
can naturally possess. It is a negative, or rather an equivocal, species
of praise, to say of them, that ambition never disturbs the peace of
the Bushman race. And I believe that in this people no existence
can be traced of the sordid passion of avarice or the insatiable
desire of accumulating property, for the mere gratification of possessing
it. Between each other they exercise the virtues of hospitality
and generosity; often in an extraordinary degree. It must,
however, be admitted that in general, they are more inclined to
supply their wants by robbing the colonists and neighbouring tribes,
than by honest industry and patient labor; while too often, yet not
always, that essential virtue, veracity, is disregarded, and the neglect
of it considered a mere venial offence. The mental powers of Bushmen
are never to be extolled ; for whatever concessions may be made in
favor of their heart, nothing can be said in praise of their mind,
at least in their present rude state. The feelings of the heart and
all its various passions, whether good or bad, are the common property
of all mankind, the educated and the uneducated, the civilized
and the uncivilized; but in the higher faculties of the mind, and in
the cultivated powers of reason, the savage claims but little share.
It is in the improvement of these faculties and powers, that
civilized nations may place their high superiority, and their just boast
of pre-eminence.
These people expressed no curiosity to be informed respecting
any article of European manufacture; nor, when told that I was one
of a nation differing in language from the white-men of the Colony,
did they ask me a single question respecting my country, or seem at
all desirous o f gaining any new idea, or any additional knowledge.
Their character possessed nothing of dullness or stupidity ; but, on
the contrary, they were lively enough ; and on those topics which
their peculiar mode of life brings within their observation and comprehension,
they often showed themselves to be shrewd and quick.
They talked with much pleasure and animation on the subject of thé
proposed rhinoceros-hunt ; and, very naturally, admired the great
utility of my umbrella in protecting me from the burning sun, for at
that time they felt, on their own uncovered heads and naked bodies,
all the inconvenience of its scorching rays.
I quitted this party in order to take a further survey of the
kraal and its domestic ceconomy : while they still remained sitting in
their place, without attempting to follow' me. Its situation was on
every quarter exposed and without a tree to interrupt the view.
Bushmen, in pitching their kraal, always chuse a spot, so bare and
open that no enemy can approach them without being seén. The
top of a hill which stands separately on a plain, is therefore an approved
site ; because, with eyes little inferior in optical power to
small telescopes, they can, while they themselves remain unobserved,
watch every movement around to a great distance.
I noticed that the opening, or entrance, of each hut was always
directed towards the inside of the circle *, so that the area surrounded
by their dwellings, and where they keep their cattle at night, was
within sight of all the inhabitants ; and no attempt by their enemies
to carry off their cattle in the night, could be made without being immediately
perceived. With a view, as I imagine, of having their
arms always in readiness, their hassagays were stuck upright into the
ground close by the side of the hut, being, in fact, too long to. be
placed conveniently within it : while their quivers, arrows and bows,
as being their principal weapon, lay by their side, ready at hand for
the first moment of alarm.
* The fourth plate of this volume is referred to, for the representation of a kraal
similar to that which is here described.