Aagu’ft. ° f Jungjles Diarium desBruders Georg Smid, zur probe des IVandels diefes knecbts des Herrn unter den Hottentatten % This extradf of the journal or letter above-mentioned, is carried from November 15th, 1739, to November 18th, 1740 ; and at that time dated.from Serjeant-rivier, a fmall branch o f the rivier Zonder-end, or the river near which lived the converted Hottentot woman. In this letter we are informed, that the number of converts was thirty- two, and that the new chriilians did not unfrequently negiedl both their work and their hours of devotion in order to amufe themfelves in a garden, which, in all probability was common. At page 683 of this collection, there is inferted another letter from this fame S m i d , dated the 15th o f May, 1742 ; from which we learn, that he had by baptifm augmented the congregation with five more fitters in Chrift; as like- wife, that he had lived there as miffionary five years, and intended to ftay there four years longer: fo that there is no doubt, but that the Hottentots might be eafily converted to the chriftian faith : but it is much to be doubted, whether any body will ever trouble themfelves with the converfion of thefe plain boneft people, unlefs it Ihould appear to have more connexion than it feems to have at prefent with political advantages. Soon after we arrived at this farm, two Hottentot girls, from fourteen to feventeen years o f age, made their appearance, well befmeared, and, in their faihion, very fmart- * T h e laft Diary o f brother G e o s .g e S m id , being s teftimony o f the carriage and conduit o f this fervant o f the Lord among the Hottentots: ly dreffed. Without any great degree o f vanity we could 177?- 1 * 1 • -t • r* . Auguft. plainly perceive, that the vifit. was> made on our account; out o f gratitude, therefore, as well as from a natural regard for the fair iex, we addreffed thefe §j am in doubt whether to call them beautiful or frightful) young ladies with all the handfome fpeeches we thought would be moft acceptable in fuch circumttances. At their requeft we- likewife prefented them with a fine piece o f roll-tobacco,. o f which they cut off a little, filled their pipes with it, and fmoked in a very elegant ftyle. Our hoft took that opportunity to let us know, that we ihould pleafe them, much better with a little brandy than with all. our compliments we therefore brought a couple of glaffes of ir for each of them, and they ftuck pretty clofe to it , applying to it with great aifiduity while they were fmoking. their pipes. We likewife had the pleafurefoon o f feeing them grow, a little lively, without venturing to drink a drop more,, or allowing the leaft freedom. At length they took their leave o f us in a very difcreet manner, and I; was very much pleafed to fee fit much modefty and decency in girls belonging tctfo uncivilized, a nation. But when they got out o f doors, thefe mad-caps had the bold- nefs to defy us to run after them and. catch them. We foon gave over the chafe, but as often as we turned back they came after us, and defied us again. At length the- elder of them while fhe was running, not only fell- down,, but even feemed to wait for us in that pofition. So unexpedf- j ed a circumftance gave us no fmall concern, as it made us begin to fufpedt the girl’s virtue, till fhe drew a large knife, and threatened, to plunge it into our hearts, i f wedaredt
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