salutary effects. The mind of this heathen Prince was hereby impressed with the importance which our countrymen attached to divine ordinances; and likewise convinced, in the best possible manner, that the Gospel which we were endeavouring to introduce amongst his people was deemed equally necessary for the white as for the black. After enjoying these privileges, he one day very gravely observed, while surrounded by his counsellors, "I now perceive why the English are men: God has made them great, because they serve him. We are

but children, and not men, because we neither know nor serve God." We are hereby forcibly reminded of the words of Moses to the ancient Israelites: "This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." (Deut. iv. 6.)

Shortly after their departure I had occasion to visit his territory, in company with Mr. William Shaw, who had come to town for various articles that were wanted on the station. The circumstances which rendered this journey necessary being of an urgent nature, we left Gra ham's Town at a late hour in the evening of May 31st, and, after a dreary ride of some hours, reached a small farm called Stony Vale. Here we stopped for the night, and were kindly entertained by a relation of the venerable and celebrated Dr. Carey, of Serampore. The miserable dwelling of our host was far from being either very imposing without, or very comfortable within. When, however, our peregrinations bring us into contact with either men or things that remind us of a man so truly great, and a Missionary so extensively useful, as his kinsman above-mentioned, circumstances at once give place to reflections in which every minor consideration immediately merges. Those grand achievements that have already been gained by steady zeal and determined perse

verance, are forced upon our recollection: and the soul is at once armed against every difficulty which may lie in the path of a Christian Missionary.

Although there was too much reason to fear that the shattered habitation of our friend seldom echoed the sound of family devotion, he nevertheless handed to us his Bible after breakfast, the following morning, that we might read a chapter, and commence the day with prayer. It is not only interesting, but deeply affecting, to find individuals thus scattered about in these desert places, upon whose minds the importance of religious duties was impressed in the days of youth. Although now immersed in worldly care, and led away by sensual pursuits, the appearance of a Christian Minister painfully reminds them of the instructions of early life: the counsels of a pious parent, and the warnings of Christian friends, are hereby forcibly brought to their remembrance. The British settlement constitutes a field, into which have been transplanted the scions of many a pious family; whose ardent prayers are, in all probability, still ascending to the courts of heaven for the temporal, spiritual, and eternal welfare of those several branches. For such, therefore, the Missionary cannot but feel, and that keenly; especially when he remembers, that his own kindred are amongst the number of those whose eyes are fixed on a foreign land, with mingled sensations of pleasure, hope, and fear.

For the remainder of the journey our viaticum was again replenished with bread and meat, which, with an occasional draught of water, constituted our stock of provisions. The day was exceedingly hot; and in the depths of the forest extremely oppressive. The sky was perfectly cloudless: no rustling of the breeze was heard, nor so much as the chirping of a single bird. When we arrived at the Beeka it was quite dark; and as the ford was usually much frequented by elephants, whose paths

we were obliged to traverse, it, of course, became necessary to proceed with the utmost caution. When once the elephant or rhinoceros has formed a path to any particular spot where they are in the habit of drinking, however far their grazing excursions may lead them from it during the day, they always return to the same course at night; and it is then extremely perilous to intercept them.

While we were ascending the eastern bank, one of these huge creatures raised the most hideous shriek I ever heard; the sound vibrated in the surrounding glens for several seconds. The animal was evidently right in front of us; and, judging from his horrid note, could not be many paces distant. On hearing it our horses made a dead halt; and how to act we knew not, the night being so dark that we could scarcely see each other, much less the beast before us. Our road led up a narrow neck of land, on each side of which were deep kloofs and tremendous precipices; hence, to turn off either to the right hand or to the left was impossible with any degree of safety, and to go back we were not at all willing. After pausing, therefore, for a few minutes, we gave a hearty shout, and then proceeded, trusting for protection in Him to whom darkness and light are both as one; and of whom it is written, " He that made him, can make his sword to approach unto him." To regard such narrow escapes from imminent danger in any other light than as merciful interpositions of divine Providence would argue ingratitude of the basest kind. Having safely passed the monster whose "bones are as strong pieces of brass, and like bars of iron, and the stroke of whose tusk would instantly lay man low," we broke the silence of the desert by singing an English hymn, with which our native companions were highly delighted.

The country between the Keiskamma and the Mission village, a distance of eight or nine miles, is extremely

broken; presenting to view scarcely any thing but rugged hills and deep dales, until we come within a mile or two of the Institution; hence the finale of our journey was extremely fatiguing, not only to the weary horse, but to the rider too. Night-travelling, although advantageous both to man and beast, because the air being so much more cool than it is by day, is nevertheless far from pleasant, especially when passing through a strange country. It entirely deprives one of all the pleasure of observation; and attaches complete dreariness to the most lovely landscape.

Nothing is more striking, when entering Kafferland by night, than the remarkable stillness which universally prevails, excepting at those times when the natives are holding some festival or other. Although there were villages on every side, the inhabitants, when we passed, were all silent as death. They generally retire to rest at an early hour, having nothing wherewith to employ themselves after sun-set, or at least after the period of milking. And as the day is usually spent in the open air, with a considerable degree of bodily exercise, their sleep is generally sound, and undisturbed. Hence, while climbing one hill, and descending another, we heard not a single human voice; but the bellowing herds, and barking of dogs, ever and anon, gave us convincing proof of their numbers in the neighbourhood. The canine species indeed form a numerous and an annoying tribe in those regions.

The morning after our arrival at Wesleyville we were early awakened by the vociferous shouts of the people, who generally issue from their straw huts as day begins to dawn. The news of a stranger's arrival quickly flies from hive to hive, and excites the curiosity of men, women, and children, who are all anxious to see him. Hence, when we arose, several little groups were squatted in circles on the ground, waiting to salute and welcome us.

The site of the Mission village is a low rocky ridge, with a beautiful valley at its base. The view is enriched by a line of large yellow-wood trees, (Taxus, Lin.,) which runs through the foreground, and forms a delightful shade in the summer season. At the foot of these, meanders a small rivulet; the water of which, however, is far from being either good or abundant. It partakes of a strong mineral quality; and in times of drought, almost disappears, excepting in the deeper parts of the channel; there it lodges in pools, and sometimes becomes almost stagnant. Along its banks lie the Mission and other garden grounds. The soil is good, and capable of being rendered very productive. On the opposite side, and right in front of the Mission premises, stands the Chief's umzi, consisting of a few filthy, shattered, and exposed huts: Their appearance at a distance is not much unlike that of so many ant-hills. On the right, the prospect is bounded by precipices, and a rough stony ridge. Here the mimosa, and various kinds of shrubbery, are thickly scattered about. In the opposite direction, the eye roams over a fine grassy plain, well studded in general with herds of cattle.

To the eastward, and s. E., the appearance of the country is sterile indeed, until we arrive within two or three miles of the sea, where the view again changes. There the Chalumna (or Ityolumnya) presents to the eye a beautiful sheet of water, in which hippopotami are frequently seen playing about in considerable numbers. The estuary, however, like that of most of the other rivers on the coast, seems to be barred at its entrance both by rocks and sand; so that it serves only to beautify the landscape. The banks are in many places almost level with the surface of the stream; and although the soil appears to be much impregnated with saline matter, there are on both sides very excellent pasture grounds. When the season is favourable, these are clothed with a