Memorials of South Africa

Front matter

THE ROUT TO RAiJIRAf, SOUTH AFRICA. •œStwe.Zti&a V* S__a.vs's Memurj alp . V i . ,' MEMORIALS OF SOUTH AFRICA nv BARNABAS SHAW, WESLEYAN MISSIONARY, RESIDENT IN THE COUNTRY NEARLY TWENTY YEARS. "Cape of Storms, thy spectre fled, See, the angel Hope, instead, Lights from heaven upon thy head ; And where Table-Mountain stands, Barbarous hordes from desert-sands, Bless the sight with lifted hands." MONTGOMERY LONDON: SOLD BY J. MASON, 14, CITY ROAD; HAMILTON, ADAMS & Co., PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND MAY ALSO BE HAD OF THE AUTHOR 1840. York : J. Coultas, Printfr, OrSE-BKIDUE. TO JAMES HENWOOD, Esq., OF HULL, Z\)t JFvicrfi} of INTELLECTUAL, MORAL, AND RELIGIOUS IMPROVEMENT, THESE MEMORIALS AS A TRIBUTE OF FRIENDSHIP, AND UNDER A SENSE OF MANY OBLIGATIONS, ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, HV THE AUTHOR.

Preface

. The memory of John Wesley, who, regardless of fatigue, personal danger and disgrace, went out into the highways and hedges to call sinuers to repentance, and to publish the gospel of peace, cannot but be revered by every right-hearted missionary. He was a man who sustained his missionary character to the last ; and who, in the 88th year of his age, on the very day before he died, was heard to sing that beautiful mission hymn, — " All glory to God in the sky," &c. When he had breathed out in song, tones fit for angelic ears, — " Thou only art able to bless, And make the glad nations obey, And bid the dire enmity cease, And bow the whole world to thy sway," his strength failed ; but on reviving a little, he ex claimed, in holy triumph, " The best of all is, God is with us." He was the chief promoter and patron of itinerant preaching ; which he extended through Great Britain, Ireland, the West Indies, and America, with unex ampled success. He died March 2, 1791, after which the missions were successfully carried on under the superintendance of Dr. Coke. At the Conference of

PREFACE.

. 1813, the Doctor expressed an earnest desire to proceed to the East Indies, for the purpose of establishing a mission in that idolatrous country ; then in the 67 year of his age. Previously to this, he had crossed the Atlantic no less than eighteen times, for missionary objects ; and when some of the Preachers attempted to dissuade him from his Eastern enterprize, he burst into tears, and exclaimed, in a manner which they could not resist, " If you will not let me go, you will break my heart." He was allowed to go; but was found dead in his cabin, May the 3rd, in the course of the voyage. Thus, he " ceased at once to work and live." When this excellent man could no longer engage in pleading the cause of missions, both Preachers and people awoke as from a partial slumber : they saw the necessity of maintaining the ground which providence had given them, and of increasing their exertions to extend it, by holding Public Meetings.* * Mr. Everett, adverting to these public meetings which almost immedi ately followed, observes in his " Village Blacksmith," page 142, eighth Edition ; " It is difficult precisely to determine at this distance of time with whom the first thought originated, or what was the first sentence that led to them.

Mr. Scarth, of Leeds, repeatedly remarked to Mr. W. Dawson, before Dr. Coke took his departure for India, ' The missionary cause must be taken out of the Doctor's hand ; it must be made a public —a common cause.' It is not impossible, that this may have been the germ ofthe whole. The Dissenters had a public meeting in Leeds a few months previous to the first public one among the Wesleyans. This having been held in the course of the summer, Messrs. Scarth and Tur kington visited the Conference, and expressed their views on the subject to the Rev. George Marsden, stating that something should be done in a more public way for the missionary interest belonging to their own body. With their views, Mr. M. perfectly coincided. When the embarrassed

PREFACE.

. 7 The first meeting was held October 0, 1813, by which a new and mighty impulse was given to the whole Con nection. Collectors in all directions offered their services, and money was poured into the sacred treasury. Doors of usefulness began to open in different quarters of the globe, and young men were raised up, and offered themselves to go to any part of the world. Previous to the Public Missionary Meeting held at Leeds, the Author had felt a desire to present his state of the missionary fund came before the Conference , there appeared to be no alternative between reducing the preachers at home, or the missionaries abroad. There was too much zeal and liberality in the body to permit either. The subject was one of deep interest, and did not die at Conference. The Rev. G. Morley, the Leeds superintendent, thought, that if the Dissenters could raise a Missionary Meeting, the Methodists might also ; and accordingly suggested the subject to his colleagues, Messrs. Bunting and Pilter, who zealously entered into his views.

Not satisfied with commencing this ' neiv thing' in Methodism on their own responsibility, they were desirous of knowing how far the proposal of a public meeting would meet with the countenance of others of their brethren. Bramley having been then but recently divided from the Leeds circuit — a close union still subsisting between them, and being contiguous to each other, these gentle men proceeded thither, with a view to deliberate with the Rev. W. Nay lor and the biographer, who were then stationed on the Bramley circuit. No persuasion was requisite ; the propriety, necessity, and practicability of the measure were manifest at once. The Leeds and the Bramley preachers thus took the first decisive and active step in the work, which has since been carried on to such an extent. A corresponding chord was soon found to vibrate with pleasure in the breasts ofthe Rev. Messrs. R. Watson and J. Buckley, of the Wakefield circuit ; and they were followed by Messrs. Reece and Atmore, of the Bradford and Halifax circuits, who both exulted in the prospect of so ample an harvest of good.

Mr. Bunting organised the first plan ; Mr. Watson wrote the first address ; Mr. Buckley preached the first sermon on the occasion, at Armley, a place belonging to the Bramley circuit ; and the first public meeting was held in the old chapel, at Leeds. T. Thompson, Esq. M. P., was in the chair."

PREFACE.

. humble services to the Wesleyan Missionary Com mittee • and when he had the privilege of hearing the Rev. R. Watson, at Hull, preach on Rev. xiv. 6., he became fully decided. At the District meeting, held in the City of York, in the spring of 1815, he offered himself for the mission field • and iu the same year he sailed for South Africa. He had the honour, and it was accompanied with no little labour, of establishing the first Wesleyan Mission Station in the interior of that extensive country, from which he returned in 1837 to his native land. Having spent so many years in Africa, he had a favourable opportunity of becoming acquainted with the native tribes, and was earnestly solicited by the Secretaries of the Wesleyan Mission ary Society, in 1828, to publish an account of their manners and customs.

He had then no time to pre pare such a work • but the renewed solicitations of a number of persons, both at home and abroad, have now induced him to accede to their request ; and a number of respectable friends having become Subscribers to these Memorials, there can be no risk in their publica tion. The volume presented to the reader, contains a history of the discovery of the grand promontory of the Cape of Good Hope, and a brief account of the com mencement and progress of that interesting colony. Numerous facts relative to missions will also be found, which were never before made public ; and the writer is of opinion, that the Memorials will meet the wishes of those who agree in sentiment with the author of " .Missionary Enterprises : " viz., " That a work from

PREFACE.

. the pen of a missionary, should not contain just what might be written by one who has never left his native country, but a plain statement of the perplexities with which he has been compelled to grapple, and the means adopted to overcome them." The notices of natural history, referring to lions, tigers, &.C., will be interesting to many ; and the statements respecting the awfully destitute state of the tribes in the regions beyond, it is hoped, will excite the friends of missions to renewed and increased exertions iu the great cause in which they are engaged, till mission stations shall be formed from Great Namacqua-land to Cape Coast Castle, and from Kaffraria to the Red Sea, as the only means of making an end of the inhuman traffic in slaves, which is still carried on to the amazing loss to Africa, of an annual amount of 475,000 human beings.

In several instances, the author has derived assistance from the works of respectable writers on South Africa, as Messrs. Barrow, Thompson, and Alexander. He thinks it proper to make this acknowledgement, as some parts of the work were delivered in the form of lectures, at a respectable public institution in Plymouth, and he, on re-writing them, found it impossible, with any degree of correctness, to mark all the quotations. It was the author's design, on commencing these Memorials, to have given some account of the missions carried on by other sections of the Christian Church ; but he found it incompatible with brevity, and it would have been impossible, in a short account, to do the justice they demanded. The different Missionary So cieties, as was once observed by the Rev. J. Bunting,

PREFACE.

. are like so many ships, which " may appear to crowd each other in the harbour • " yet, when sailing on the wide sea of heathenism, they have sufficient room. With regard to the valuable missionaries, of different societies, employed in South Africa, the writer would pray with Moses : " The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you as he hath promised you ! " Notice was also intended to have been taken of various erroneous statements, which have been made by hasty travellers • but this also the author was obliged to abandon. By way of caution, however, to the young and inex2)erienced, he may observe, that a French writer on South Africa, describes whole tribes of natives which never existed, except in his own romantic imagi nation. Another traveller informs his readers, that the roads in the vicinity of Cape Town, are repaired with the tails of cows aud oxen ; while a third states, " the Hottentots use their bows and arrows with great dex terity; they shoot their arrows with great force, sending them sometimes through the body of an ox."

It is added : " Sometimes persons may be seen at Green point riding on zebras, which are brought from the interior, and generally kept at livery." Every individual who has lived in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope, for a few years, will bear the author of these Memorials out in affirming, that such statements are altogether without foundation. Epworth, October 29th, 1839. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Discovery of the Cape by the Portuguese — Bartholomew Diaz Vasco de Gama, 1497 — Massacre of seventy-five persons — Contrivance with Cannon — Dutch East India Company sends Van Riebeek, 1652 — Commencement of Colony — Reinforcement — Religious Services — Provisions — Wild Beasts — Van Riebeek's journey — Price of Provisions in 1665 — Clergymen — Population in 1688— Hottentot boy— Poetry 17

Chapter II

Capture ofthe Cape by the British, 1795 — Climate — South-Easters — Table Bay — Stone Pier commenced — Cape Town — Buildings — Table Mountain — Inhabitants — India gentlemen — Country-seats — Increase of Population — Fish and Animal food — Wheat — Capabilities of the Colony — People of colour. ... .. ... 29

Chapter III

Hottentots — Origin — Not faithfully described — Mild and timid — Language — Not stupid — No longer under Chiefs Namacquas — Country — Go to a Dutch Governor — Farmers' encroachments — Population — Appearance — Dress — Disposition — Ornaments — Language — Huts — Subsistence — Hunting — Chiefs — Wars — Agriculture, ignorance of — Superstitions — Music — Dancing — Medicine — .Funerals. ... ... ... ... ... ... ••• 36

Chapter IV

Bushmen, — Persons — Clothing — Prodigious appetite — Cruelties — Love of revenge — Language — Dwelling-places — Manner of Hunting — Weapons — Hottentot shot by them — No form of Government — Jealous of strangers — Superstitions — Legend of woman becoming a Lion — Ignorance Corannas — Country — Filthy — Huts — Thompson's Account — Girdle of Famine — Women Sorcerers — No Worship ... ... ... ... ... 46

Chapter V

Kaffirs, Origin of name — Person of males — colour — A Giant — Females — Dress and Ornaments — Lady with Fifty Necklaces — CONTENTS. Marriage — No written Characters — Language — Method of con structing Huts — Occupation— First Plough— Ox Killing— No Fish eaten— Kaffir Mill— Tobacco— Snuff— Corn Magazines — Household Utensils— Hunting — Government — Treatment of Re latives—Punishments—Implements of War — Trade — Ignorance Superstitions Bechuanas, — Geographical Position — Towns Subsistence — Method of obtaining Fire — Cannibalism — Tan ning Copper-Smelting — Vegetables — Terrified by Horses' Tails Beads Inhuman Mother — Captains — War-scars on the Thigh Ignorance — Superstition — Rain- Makers — Method of Calculating time — Bleeding — Woman — Remarks ... ... 56

Chapter VI

Mantatees, — Till lately Unknown — Origin of Name — Country — Men — Dress — Employment — -Ferocity in War — Many Battles — Weapons — Method of Attack — Repulse by Griquas in 1824 — Revolting Scenes — Determined Resolution — Connexion with the Portuguese — Ignorance. Zuloos, — Origin — Personal Appearance — Chiefly known as Warriors — Weapons — Chaka — His Cruelty — 450 men put to death at one time — His Murder — " The great black one" — Horrid Barbarities. Damaras, — Country Boy valued at four shillings — Some among the Namacquas — Five Tribes — Iron and Copper found — Amusements — Weapons Disposition — Ignorance .. ... ... ... ... ... 67

Chapter VII

The Author's appointment to Africa, 1815 — London Ministers Gravesend— Lose sight of Land — Rio de Janerio — Slaves Arrival at Cape Town — Waiting on Governors — Restrictions of Dutch Government — Begin Preaching — Sergeant Kendrick — Society of Soldiers — Wynberg — Silver Mine — Simon's Town — Mohammedan — Rev. H. Schmelen — Namacquas — Resolves on going into the Interior — Passport — Departure — Hard Lodgings — Stick fast in a River — Marais — Orange Groves — Shooting Heer Van Aarde's — Uitkornst — Heer H. Van Zyl's Liberality Heere Lodgment — Clan William. ... ... ... ... ... ... 76

Chapter VIII

Elephant River—Thermometer 110°— Meet a Namacqua Chief- Consultation— Cross the Karree — Forty-five Oxen die Ascend a Mountain— Hard Work— Met by Namacquas on Oxen— Arrive CONTENTS. 8« 129 at Naamrap — Council held — Ja Myhneer — Mr. Schmelen's De parture — Lily Fountain — Native Hut — Advantage of being with out Furniture — Baboons — Mole Lost — First Sabbath — Garden Seeds — Eating Grass — Begin to Build — Cutting Timber — Mas ter-Builder — Natives attempt Singing— Interpreter — Effects of the Gospel — Expressions of the People — Private Prayer—Man ual Labour, to be attended to by Missionaries — Close of 1816. ...

Chapter IX

Child's Grave— Erection of Chapel commenced — People Indolent: — Subscription for Food — Work Proceeds — Treading Clay — Want of School-books — Making a Plough — Battle-field — First Baptisms — First Marriage — Visit to a Chief — Horse's Tail — Terrific Roads — Large portion in a wooden dish — Sleep on a Mat — Meetings for Discussion — Visit to a Farmer's Place — Anecdote — Visit to Bushman-land — Fear of Lions — Tedious Grinding — A Nimrod — First Love-feast. ... ... ... ... ... ... 97

Chapter X

Rev. E. Edwards — Songs in the Night — Fires brighten — Harvest — Horses Thrashing — Children concerned — Jacob Links's Letter — Sketch, a Namaequa Sermon — Death of a Female — Mountain-top — Children delighted — Death of another Child — A Day of Wonder — Curious Dialogue — Destructive Hurricane — Juvenile Female Missionaries — Mulatto's Dream — Jan Hagel — Lost in Bushman-land — Two die of thirst — Sleeping on Sand — Puff-adder — Native-cupping — Hot Bath — Rev. J. Archbell — Reed Fountain — Earthquake — Bethel in the Wilderness — Old Namaequa — Children Racing — Bush-boy gains a Prize. ... ... ... 109

Chapter XI

Governor's Order — Hattery commenced — Family Worship — Sabbath employ — Bell received — " Oud Mamma" — Joy of Harvest — Quick Process — Fine Cakes for Reapers — Woman sick in Bushman-land — Death of Chiefs wife — Season of Scarcity — Eating- Hides — Drunk with Hunger — European Clothing — Congregations Clean — Horrid Murders — Comparative Industry— Rev. T. L. Hodgson's Speech — Plenty of Corn Sown — Good Stimulant...

Chapter XII

Traveller's Testimony — Mr. Hodgson's Visit — Visit also of G. Thompson, Esq Of the Author in 1827 — Goes by Sea — Lost CONTENTS. in the Sands — Extreme Thirst — Scripture Appropriate — Lying on Sand— Supply of Water— Boor's Assertion — Arrive at Lily Fountain— Rev. R. Haddy's Statement — New Chapel Opened — Author and Family go on a Visit — An aged woman dancing — Old Keudo in black coat — Child's Grave — Missionary Meeting — Num ber of Cattle — Sir James Alexander — Old woman with Spectacles —Present State 138

Chapter XIII

Prepare to visit Great Namaequaland — Speech of Old Lynks — Steinkopff — In a waste Wilderness — All Lost — High-coloured Coffee — Orange River — Scenery — Bushwoman — A Human voice heard — Wooden Horse — Leaky Ship — Eat a Bullock — Lion's Footsteps — Mr. Schmelen — Ox-riding — Fed by a Lion — Sour Milk — Tsaumap's Village — Present of a Bullock — A Novel Sight — Cooking — Eating Marrow — Savoury Meat — Chief on a Cow — Clouds of Dust: — Gammap's Village — Preaching by Moonlight — Consultation with Chiefs — Cold Lodgings — A Bold Beggar — Hard-riding — A Tormenting Thirst: — Water — Reach Bethany — Mr. and Mrs. Schmelen. ... ... ... ... ... ... 171

Chapter XIV

Application to Governor — Mr. Archbell goes to Great Namaequaland — Sails to Walvisch Bay — Sir J. E. Alexander's Account of it — Climate — Supplies — Desirable Place for a Mission Station Mr. Archbell Removes — Little Namacquas' Desire — Rev. W. Threlfall, Jacob, and Joannes — Alarming Account — Rumours of their Murder — Mr. Schmelen's Report — Murderer Taken — Condemned — Shot — Character of the late Mr. T JHh Appointment in 1822 — Letter to the Secretary— Journal at Delagoa Fever Arrival in Table Bay — All Sick on Board — Put under Quarantine — Visited by the Rev. J. Whitworth — Lands in Cape Town Testimony of Colleagues — Poetry, by James Montgomery, Esq. of Sheffield .. ... ... ... .. ... igo

Chapter XV

Chief Abram — His Interview with Mr. Haddy — His Arrival at Cape Town — Josiah Nisbett, Esq Donation of Two Hundred Pounds —The Rev. E. Cook, offers himself— The Rev. R. Watson's Letter — Mr. C. goes to Great Namacqua-land — Meets a Chief Names the Station Nisbett Bath — Requests another Missionary CONTENTS. 15 Sir James Alexander's Visit — Rev. J. Jackson — A Congregation — School taught — Chapel Built — Exhorters — Blydeverwacht Ostriches and Zebras — Chiefs desirous of the Gospel 199

Chapter XVI

Cape Town — Mr. Edwards commences Preaching — Class formed — Author begs for a School — Dutch Lady — Messrs. Hodgson and Threlfall — Chapel Opened — School Children — Mr. Beavan's death — Prayer Meetings — Difficulties — A Coloured Woman — Military—Departure for Lily Fountain — Return to Cape Town — Leper Institution — Genadendal — Rev. W. Shrewsbury — Death of Maria Wray — Passage to England — Native Village — Aged Parents — Poetry by Montgomery — Farewell to Parents — Stanzas by an unknown Poet — Leaving Hull — Anchor in Table Bay — Simon's Town Chapel. ... ... ... ... ... ... 212

Chapter XVII

Rev. J. Cameron — Mr. Schmelen — Wesley Chapel Opened — Rev. R. Watson's Letter — Rev. R. Snowdall's death — Mr. Cook — Rev. J. Edgar — Black woman — Wynberg — Mrs. Hodgson's death — Assisted by different Ministers — Robben Island — Interesting Class — Sailor's Letter — Author's Answer — Bethel Flag — Preaching on board the Undaunted — Death of Mrs. Thornhill — Somerset, Hottentot's Holland — Premises Purchased — Chapel Opened — Klip Fontein — Natives Singing — Chapel Opened — Marriages — Stellenbosch — Death of Mrs. Lucas. ... ... ... ... 232

Chapter XVIII

W. E. Underwood, Esq Wynberg — Open Air Preaching — Sanction of Governor — Extinction of Slavery — Rev. R. Watson's Letter — St. George's Church — Rondebosh and Camp Ground — Ersk Rivier — Preaching under Oak Tree — Opposition of Field- Cornet — Amusing Dialogue — Woman singing him to silence — Somerset — Droog Valley — Three Mohammedans under sentence of death — Geo. Alexander, Esq Caledon Baths — Preach in the Reformed Church— Rev. R. Giddy— Mr. Edwards—Mr. T. L. Hodgson — Remove to Wynberg — Missionary Meeting — Rev. W. Shaw arrives — Sydney-street Chapel Opened — Diep Rivier — Coloured people hold a Prayer- Meeting — Sail for England — Missionary Meeting and Present Prospects. ... ... ... ... CONTENTS. 271 340

Chapter XIX

Albany,— Arrangements of the Colonial Government— Graham's Town— Success Kaffraria,— Rev. W. Shaw— Pato, Conga, and Kama— The Tombookie Country— Mr. Whitworth— Dooshani— Islambie— Kind Reception— Hintza— Vossani— Sanctity of the Sabbath— Fingoe Mission— Wesleyville—Rev. J. Ayliff— Beka —Newtondale— Mount Coke— Rev. H. D. Dugmore— Umhala— Taste for English Habits, &c — Respect for Missions— Butterworth— Hintza— Amatembu— Rev. R. Haddy— Voosamie's kind Attentions — Clarkbury — Morley — Amapondo— Capai — Love of War— Desire for Missionaries — Missionary Meeting in Wesleyville, held in the Open Air — Lieut. Col. Somerset presides — Speeches of the Chiefs— Graham's Town— Boyce's Grammar- Printing Press — Boyce's " Notes on South African Affairs." ...

Chapter XX

Bechuanas — Revds. S. Kay and Melville — Leetakoo — Providential Openings — Rev. S. Broadbent — Griqua Town— Rev. T. L. Hodgson — Makwasse Mountains — Sisonell — Mantatees — Rev. J. Archbell — Plaat Berg — Happy Death — Buchuaap — The Pot Dance — Missionary Success — Rev. J. Edwards — Desire for the Word — Want of Natural Affection— Thaba Unchu — Prosperity — Dying Testimony — Mr. Jenkin — Corannas — Field of the Slain — U mpukani — Famine — Mantatees — Predictions — Piet Witvoet — Sekonyale— -Sword prepares the way for the Gospel — Thaba Unchu — Rev. R. Giddy — Thirst for Knowledge — Lishuani — Rev. W. H. Garner — Mperani — Quickening — Umpukani — Aged persons baptized — Polygamy Discountenanced — Mr. Allison — Sons of Chiefs converted — Sekongela Silo — Wesleyan Missionaries and their Stations in Africa — A Schedide — Exhortation. ... ... 295

Chapter XXI

Native Characters — Jantje Wildschot — Joannes Jaager — Jacob Links — Andries Orang — Peter Links — Eva Bartels — Diana. ... ... 313

Chapter XXII

Natural History — Lions — Tigers — Wolves — Serpents — Cameleopards— Springboka— Gemsboka — Zebras — Hippopotami — Rhinoceroses—Baboons — Porcupines — Locusts — Bees — Ostriches. . . . SOUTH AFRICA.

Chapter I. Discovert Of The Cape By The Portuguese

— BARTHOLOMEW DIAZ — VASCO DE GAMA, 1497 — MASSACRE OF SEVENTY-FIVE PERSONS — . CONTRIVANCE WITH CANNON — DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY SENDS VAN RIEBEEK, 1652 COMMENCEMENT OF COLONY REINFORCEMENT RELIGIOUS SERVICES — PROVISIONS — -WILD BEASTS — VAN RIEBEEK's JOURNEY PRICE OF PROVISIONS IN 1665 CLERGYMEN POPULATION IN 1688 HOTTENTOT BOY POETRY. " History," observes Cicero, " is the evidence of ages, the light of truth, the life of manners, and the school of life." That period of time when the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope was effected, is decidedly one of the most important eras in the annals of modern history. For this, as well as many other very valuable geographical discoveries, we are indebted to that spirit of enterprize which characterized the Portuguese nation, at the commencement, and during the continuance, of the fifteenth century; prosecuted chiefly under the direction of Prince Henry, Duke of Visco, son of the reigning monarch John I., and descended, on the B maternal side, from the royal line ofEngland.

This prince, to whom were entrusted the growing power and resources of his country, first planned the route to India round the continent of Africa ; but was not permitted to witness the completion of that important design. The well-established hopes of the Duke of Visco were, however, soon realized by his nephew John II., who prosecuted all his designs with renewed vigour. Bartholomew Diaz was employed by this sovereign on a voyage of discovery. After having traced nearly a thousand miles of new country, and endured incalculable hardships, he at length came in sight of the Cape which terminates South Africa ; but he proceeded no further, fancying that he had arrived at the boundary of the earth, and being intimidated with the darkness and tempests with which he was surrounded. On account of the heavy gales which he here experienced, he gave it the name of " Cabo des totos Tormentos? or the Cape of Storms ; which, however, was subsequently exchanged by John II. of Portugal, for " Cabo du buonne Esperanse? or Cape of Good Hope, from the prospect which it afforded him of opening a maritime path to India.

" Vasco de Gama, Columbus, and Magelhaens, were at this time, all engaged in the Portuguese service, and forming themselves in the nautical and enterprizing school which was founded by Prince Henry, for those wonderful and splendid discoveries which soon after immortalized their names. Gama, patronized by Emmanuel II., who succeeded John II. of Portugal, was appointed to the command of a small expedition for the discovery of India. Three sloops of war and a store-ship, manned with only one hundred and sixty men, were fitted out, for hostility was not the purpose of this humane and peaceful enterprize. There is something in true genius which seems to be essentially connected with humanity. Gama and Columbus prosecuted their discoveries upon the most liberal principles, seeking to benefit, not to destroy, their species."* "To return to the discoveries of Gama.

About four miles from Lisbon there is a chapel on the sea side. To this, the day before their departure, Gama conducted the companions of his expedition. He was to encounter an ocean untried, and dreaded as unnavigable; and he did not scruple to solicit the Divine aid and protection. Such con duct on the part of Gama was as strictly compatible with the soundest reason, as the solar warmth is united with the solar light. The whole night was spent in the chapel in prayer for success. On the next day, when the adventurers marched to the ships, the shores presented one of the most solemn and affecting scenes, perhaps, recorded in history. The beach was covered with the inhabitants of Lisbon. A numerous procession of religious persons sung anthems, and offered up supplications to heaven. The vast multitude caught the fire of devotion, and joined aloud in the prayers for the preservation and prosperity of the adventurers.

The relations, friends, and acquaintance of such, wept; all were affected ; the sigh was general ; Gama himself shed some manly tears on parting with his friends ; but he hurried over the tender scene, and hastened on board with all the alacrity of hope. Immediately he gave his sails to the wind, and so much affected were the many thousands that beheld his departure, that they remained immoveable on the shore, till the fleet, under full sail, vanished from their sight."t It was on the eighth of July 1497, that Gama left the Tagus, and his voyage was extremely tempestuous. During any gloomy interval of the storm, the sailors, wearied out with fatigue, surrounded their commander and implored him to return homewards. But Gama's resolution was unalterable ; and having suppressed a formidable conspiracy against himself, iu which all the pilots were ringleaders, he, f Ibid. * Cape of Good Hope Literary Gazette. with his brother and a steady band of adherents, stood night and day at the helm.

On the twentieth of November, hope was turned to fruition. Vasco de Gama rounded the Cape, which had long been the boundary of navigation. Soon after this event, the king of Portugal dispatched ships with orders to touch there. Fearful of approaching the main land, they anchored near Robben Island, which is at the entrance of Table Bay, and proceeded from thence with their boats to see the natives. On one occasion, while a number of Portuguese were on shore with the Hottentots, a serious disturbance took place. One of the sailors having a pair of buckles on his shoes, which attracted the attention of the savages, and he being unwilling to part with them, some misunderstanding arose, which ended in the massacre of seventy-five persons, among whom were Franciscus de Almyda, deputy king of Portugal, who was shot with a poisoned arrow, and two of his captains.