The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-30

SIR: On reading your review of Mr.. Cumming s
work on South Africa, cannot refrain from offer
ing few remarks in his defence, trusting that the
spirit of justice which eminently distinguishes
your journal will induce you to insert them.
may probably be at present the only person in
England who has gone over great part of the
deserts and hunting grounds spoken of by Mr.
Cumming, and therefore feel it duty almost to
bear witness to the truth Of such part of his state
ments as | can, and this the more readily as an,
total stranger TO the author. | cannot pretend
to vouch for the truth of Mr.. Cummings per
formances, not having witnessed them; but | car
for the accuracy of his description of the countless
thousands of wild animals that are to be found to-
gether on some Of the plains he speaks of; and if l
can answer for the truhfuness of his description
in this respect, "a portion Of his statement much
disbelieved,) think we should in charity be slow
TO disbelieve his other statements
confess myself guilty of having set off into the
wilds Of Africa of my own free will and of having
made few notes in the shape Of a journal, but
never had the courage to publish 1t, feeling how
difficult it would be for most people to believe it.
Neither will people believe MIR. Cummings work
till more shall have ventured on the same road.
You say most truly that people in this country
cannot bring themselves to believe such marvellous
accounts Of wild animals; neither do wondor at
it. see, on referring to my journal, that was
bewildered and COMPOUNDED with astonlshment on
beholding the wonders of that country. The life
led there, and the whole scene, are such defy
any one properly to describe, or, on the other
hand, TO appreciate or believe, who has not seen It,
Your reviewer wonders that man could take
such delight in wild sports. Surely, when we see
men devoting their time and fortunes to hunting
fox in this great allotment ground, man may be
excused for being led away for time by such
pursuit in noble country South Africa
Life in the desert is that has charms so hope
less to describe that wonder any one is found 10
undertake the task. The deserts of South Africa
open to the mind Of the astonished adventurer
sense Of freedom, combined with feeling OF de-
pendence on a mercifuI Providence, which is not
brought out by life in civilized countries
My course in South Africa lay amongst the
deserts and forests bordering the Orange river and
the Thebus mountain, and it was there that Mr..
Cummings discovered the vast herds OF SPRING
boks and besboks, on the improba bility of which
your reviewer chiefly dwes. | will venture to
give these few extracts from my journal -
"Awoke from my sleep on the ground by
noise Of distant thunder. On looking up, saw
the plain covered with dust as if army were en-
gagged, and presently the dark columns Of count
less thousands of springboks, besboks and other
animals charged among the plain within shot
They were in dense mass of great breadth, and
apparently extending to the horizon"
Again, referring to the swarms oflocusts, find:
"The air was filled with dense masses Of To-
Gusts, darkening the earth, and apparently coming
from the clouds, having all the appearance of a
thick snow Storm
| feel, therefore, that l may boldly give my
name as witness to such scenes those described
by Mr.. Cumming.
hope thu above statement may induce some to
be more inclined to believe Mr.. Cummings work
Having said this much in his defence, confess
cannot admire the style of his work, which has
Justly laid him open to your severe criticism, and
entirely agree with you that the way he dwels or
''the numbering parts Of the business" is unfortu
nate. When a man is living in tina. wild state
his blood must be got up for such scenes, or he
could not exist ; but he should have remembered
that the naked recital Of them, so frequently dwell
upon, must shock the nerves and feelings of the
European reader.
would conclude by remarking that a noble
country will there be some day opened TO emf.
grants, and that the Orange river will not long re-
main the boundary of the Cape colony.
/ remain, sir, your obedient servant
CosPArRcK BAILLIE HAMILroN.
Nov IL, Anglesey, Sept. 90.