it to be distinctly remembered that, in Western Africa, the work itself, irrespective of the hazardous nature of the climate, is of a most interesting character. The people are so simple-hearted, confiding, and affectionate, that they are easily led to the Saviour; and through God's blessing upon the faithful preaching of the Gospel, tens of thousands have been gathered into the fold of Christ, many of whom have landed in a brighter and better world above, whilst others are pressing on in the way to Zion. It is a pleasing sight to behold the change which has passed upon the natives, both males and females, in their appearance, dress, and manners, since they received the Gospel. Formerly they appeared in public almost in a state of nudity, without shame, and presented to the view of the Missionary a spectacle of the most revolting character; but now they are sensitive in their feelings, and appear in the house of God on the Sabbath and other occasions, neatly clothed in the native style, with an occasional mixture of European fashion. Nor are the direct spiritual results of the Mission less remarkable and gratifying, a rich blessing having attended the faithful preaching of the Word. We have now on our respective stations, on the Western Coast of Africa, twenty-four Missionaries, and about eight thousand church members, and four thousand scholars receiving instruction in the Mission schools.

We cannot close this chapter more appropriately than in the language of the Rev. Melville B. Cox, the first Methodist Missionary sent from America to the Coast of Africa. He landed at the Gambia during the residence of the writer there, in 1832, spent a few weeks with us very pleasantly, proceeded to Liberia, and in about three months he sickened and died. Before he left his native shores he said to a friend, "I go to that land of sickness and death; but if I die, you must come epitaph." It was asked, "What shall I write ?" the devoted Missionary, "THOUGH A THOUSAND AFRICA BE FORGOTTEN!"

and write my "Write," said

FALL, LET NOT

HISTORICAL NOTICES-NATIVE TRIBES-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE DISTRICTGRAHAM'S TOWN DISTRICT-QUEEN'S TOWN DISTRICT-BECHUANA

S

DISTRICT-NATAL DISTRICT.

OUTHERN AFRICA may be said to comprise the whole of that portion of the great continent which lies to the south of the equator. It is bounded on the east by the Indian Ocean, on the west by the Atlantic, on the north by the unexplored regions of the interior, and on the south by the stormy waters of the ocean which wash the immediate shores of the Cape of Good Hope. In a country of such vast extent, being about two thousand miles in length and nearly the same in breadth, we necessarily find great diversity of scenery, soil, and climate. There are some striking features, however, which appear to apply pretty generally to the whole of this extensive and interesting portion of the globe. Everything which presents itself to our view on the continent of Africa is on a grand and gigantic scale. There is nothing little or insignificant in the topography of the country. Every scene in nature corresponds with the magnitude of the vast continent on which it is found. The mountains generally rise to a high altitude, and frequently stretch away in apparently interminable chains as far as the eye can reach, till they are lost in the dim distance. The valleys, the rivers, the lakes, and the deserts are equally

imposing in their general aspect. Although Southern Africa abounds with large tracts of desert, rocky, barren land entirely unfit for cultivation, and affording but scanty pasturage for domestic cattle or wild animals in the most favourable seasons, there are here and there fertile valleys with a productive soil which would amply repay the labour of the husbandman. The produce of the country consists of timber, corn, wool, wine, aloes, dried fruits, hides, horns, skins, tallow, ivory, ostrich feathers, copper ore, and diamonds, for exportation, besides the ordinary necessaries of life for home consumption. On the whole, the climate is said to be healthy, although the heat during the summer months is somewhat oppressive to Europeans.

The discovery of Southern Africa is by general consent awarded to Bartholomew Diaz, a native of Portugal, who flourished in the latter part of the fourteenth century. The enterprising navigator having been commissioned by his sovereign, John II., to seek for a maritime passage to India, embarked on his perilous voyage in the year 1486. After tracing upwards of two thousand miles of the unknown western coast of the great continent, he proceeded southward till he came in sight of the bold promontory, since designated "Table Mountain," which is the terminating point of Africa in that direction. Here he was overtaken by a violent tempest, which for the time obstructed his further progress; and, having named the peninsula which he had discovered "The Cape of Storms," he returned to his own country, supposing he had reached the utmost practical limits of navigation in the southern hemisphere. The King of Portugal, however, was more sanguine in his views; and, anticipating still further success, he changed the name of the great southern promontory discovered by Diaz to that of "The Cape of Good Hope." He, moreover, commissioned the navigator to proceed on a second voyage of discovery with a view to explore the unknown regions beyond; but on this occasion Diaz met with still greater disasters, and ultimately perished in a storm, and found a watery grave not far from the place where he was obliged to relinquish his first enterprise.

About ten years afterwards, the celebrated navigator Gama was

employed in the service of his enterprising sovereign, Emanuel II., when he succeeded in doubling the Cape; and, on his return, reported the result to the king, who immediately despatched other ships for the purpose of examining more minutely a place which appeared to be of great importance in its relation to India. On reaching the Cape the vessels anchored in Table Bay, near Robin Island, and the sailors lowered their boats and went on shore, where they found a barren country, inhabited by wandering tribes of Hottentots, who were living in a state of extreme barbarism.

Although the Cape of Good Hope was thus discovered by the Portuguese, it does not appear that they established any permanent settlement there, but merely used it as a convenient place of call and refreshment for their ships, when on their way to and from India. It seems also to have been used by the English for the same purpose, inscriptions, evidently by our countrymen, having been found on trees and rocks with the respective dates of 1604, 1620 and 1622. The Dutch were wiser in their generation; and in the year 1652, they took formal possession of this part of Southern Africa, and formed a settlement where Cape Town now stands, with a strong fortress, called "The Castle," to secure themselves against the attacks of the savage natives. In 1795, when the powers of Europe were at war with each other, the Cape of Good Hope was captured by the British under Sir James Craig; and in the month of May, 1797, Lord Macartney arrived from England to take charge of the Government. In 1802, the colony was restored to the Dutch at the Peace of Amiens; but on the breaking out of war again in 1806, it was retaken by the English, under Sir David Baird. Since this period it has continued in our possession, and the colony has gradually advanced to its present state of prosperity.

If we would obtain a correct view of Southern Africa as a field of Missionary labour, we should make ourselves acquainted with the map of the country and carefully trace its various divisions, mountains, rivers, and the localities of important places. There we should see the relative position of the Cape Colony, British Kaffraria, the Colony of Natal, the Orange Free State, the Trans

vaal Republic, Kaffirland, Griqualand, Basutuland, Zululand, Bushmanland, Namaqualand, Damaraland, and Ovampoland. In addition to these countries which have been explored and described by Missionaries and travellers, there are other and extensive regions, stretching away into the vast interior of the continent, which are as yet comparatively unknown; but to which it is hoped the Gospel of Christ will be ultimately carried by the messengers of the churches.

That portion of the great continent now under review, and which is known by the general name of Southern Africa, is inhabited by people of various nations and tribes, of different shades of complexion, and speaking a great variety of languages or dialects. Some of these may be regarded as aborigines, properly socalled; whilst many more have come from distant regions, settle in the country, and adopted it as their home. Perhaps the Hottentots have the best claim to the title of original inhabitants. They were a numerous race of people when the country first became known to Europeans; and, although their number has greatly decreased of late years, by amalgamation with other tribes and otherwise, those who still remain, especially the poor despised Bushmen, have strong claims upon our sympathy and benevolence, as they are a people deeply degraded by vice and oppression. When we hear or read of Namaquas, Korannas, Griquas, and other coloured or mixed races of people in Southern Africa, we must bear in mind that they are all of Hottentot descent. The Kaffirs are a bold, daring, independent, and warlike people, never having been enslaved and oppressed like the poor Hottentots. They are supposed to have come originally from the north, and to have driven the comparatively weak and timid aborigines towards the Cape. They live in different tribes under the government of separate chiefs, and are known as the Amakossas, Amampondas, Amazulus, &c. The Bechuanas, Damaras, and other tribes, although speaking different languages, must all be referred, in our opinion, to a Kaffir origin. There are also a number of Negroes, properly so-called, living in Southern Africa. Most of these have been brought originally from the eastern or western coasts, where they were rescued

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