Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-29
Ea6raria.

The recent advces from Kaffraria indicates bloody
and protracted conflict between the Kafres and the
British troops in Southern Africa. As the interests Of
the missionary work, especially among the Wesley
of England, will be affected by this war, and
deep interest is now awakened in reference TO the
civilization of Africa, il may be proper to make
few notes respecting that country, that the reader
may more readily understand the reports which may
be given from week to week.
Southern Africa is, on its west, south, and east,
washed by the ocean. A strip of land, from twenty
to fifty miles wide, adjoining the coast, is low and
fiat Thence there three terraces, the table land
between varying from fifty to one hundred miles In
width, and consisting either Of grounds for pasurage,
or of kGrr0os, which consist of arid plains of clay.
Inc highest mountain range is called the Niewveldt
range, which passes eastwardly into the snowy noun
tains, whose peaks said to be 10000 feet high.
North of rhis range the land again descends, and
along its base, from east to west, nearly across the
continent, flows the Great Orange, or Gariep, with
its various tributaries.
The first European settlement in South Africa was
made by the Dutch in 1862, though the right of
dominion was claimed by Great Britain, in conse-
quence Of two East India commanders having taken
possession of the country by proclamation in 1920
The Dutch, however, remained in quiet possession
of the cape, and extended their farms along the
plains formed by the mountain ranges till 1875, when
the English seized upon the territory. AT the peace
OF Amiens, in 1902, it was restored to its former
owners, but was again retaken in 1906, and
finally coded TO Great Britain in 1916
Two distinct races inhabi Southern Africa the
Hottentots and the Kaffirs. The first embraces the
Hottentots proper, Namaquas, Bushmen, and Coran-
mas. The second the Kafirs, Bechuanas, Damaras,
and Zuloos. These differ greatly in their appearance
and dispositions. The Hottentots generally small
OF stature, mild, and mid, and said to resemble
the Chinese and have submitted with but little
sistance, to the encroachments and expressions of
the Europeans who have seized upon their possessions
They occupy the western portion of Southern Africa,
extending northward into the interior. The Kaffirs,
who nhabit the eastern parts of South Africa, are
large and muscular, and active and enterprising
Barrow says, There is perhaps not any nation under
heaven that can produce fine race of men as the
Kaffirs. They tall, stout, muscular, well made,
elegant figures. Their countenance is indica-
tive Of cheerfulness and contentment. Their skim
which verges toward black, and their short, curly
hair, are rubbed over with solution of red ocher,
which produces an appearance far from disagree
able.' He adds that he ga young man six feet
ten inches in height, and regularly proportional
throughout" Shaw, in his Memorials says, ''The
persons of the women are not handsome, these
being OF much more muscular figure, strong
limbed, and low in stature The couptenance,
however, is more pleasing The color Of the eyesis
sparkling jet; their teeth beautifully white and
regular and they have neither the thick lips nor the
fiat nose of the negro"