Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-11
CAFFRARIA.

Il is no ordinary degree of benevoence that
carries man to Caffraria, to improve the con-
dition Of his debased brethren. Mr.. Kay, how
ever, who has published very full account OF
his residence, was not one to despair OF cure,
because his patients were reduced low, though
nothing but trust in Omnipotence could have
sustained his hopes. The Caffre is so debased
that there is little left in his mind to build SUI
perstructure of goodness upon, and though II is
true yet it seems hardly possible, that he has
within him the diamond that better training may
polish into Shakespeares, Newtons, Canovas,
and Wilberforces
There is nothing so untiring as conviction
of duty. Had the Reverend Missionary expect
ed for himself any worldly advantage-had he
come out to crafty any earthly passion, he
would have made speedy return,-but he had
better objects, though perverse, lntracta0le sub
jects The Caffres, like the Quakers are known
by name which they do not recognize them
selves, and that respectable people, the Hotten.
tots, are thus called by word which has no
place in their language. Caffre is 1--WE think
general Arabic term for an unbeliever- The
people are cheerful and volatile; their good spi-
rits are their best possessions, and their tax Is
in proportion for they are great narrators.
The greatest luxury of Caffre is plain ami
NAL food, and the whole country side gather
round when an OK is brought to the shambles;
strangers remain at the feast while bone re-
mains to be picked.
The animal IS slaughtered DdrDdrOuSIy. lie
is first entangled i'm thongs about the legs, thrown
down and fast bound; then an incision is made
by a spear little below the breast, when tru-
culent muscular fellow tbrusts in his arm, and,
by a violent wrench, breaks the ateries, and the
beast pershes slowly in agonies.
The Caffres are we'll formed and of an agree
able physiognomy, and the face is sometimes as
oval as Grecian bust. They are tall and ath-
letic. There is no thickness of lip which dis
tingushes the negro, and there is no resem-
blance to the Hottentot race. The women,
however, are not so well formed as the men,
though they are sprightly and vivacious. The
apparel is that which man provides for himself
in his rudest state, of the skins of beasts, cur
ried, however, with some skill. The men how
ever are generally without clothing unless a
coating of grease may be so called as they rub
themselves frequently with the fat of animals
The Queen dresses no better than her poorest
subject-neither have but one robe to wear by
day and sleep in at night.
The dwellings Of these Independent people
are not designed for their posterity, nor do
they afford much comfort to present occupants
They are huts of the shape of hives and not
much larger. The door is a hole that serves al
so for window and chimney. Architecture is
not an art much studied in Caffraria, and the
chief builders are females. The Queen herself
is Obliged to make her own hut. village is a
collection of dozen huts, and called by the
Dutchmen a kraal-or beastfold
AS the people s.e PASTORAL their chief wealth
is in cattle and a Caffre whose eyes are dry at
the death of his wife and children, sheds some
&C natural tears" when the chieflays hands upon
n member Of his horned iocks. This awakens