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rustic shady bazaars, and bartering their produce of fruit or many-coloured grain. Here the canal came to a check, ending abruptly with a large lock. Some little fleet of masts and country ships were beyond the lock, and it led into the Nile. After all, it is something to have seen these red waters. It is only low green banks, mud huts, and palm-clumps, with the sun setting red behind them, and the great dull, sinuous river, flashing here and there in the light. But it is the Nile, the old Saturn of a stream,—a divinity yet, though younger river-gods have deposed him. Hail, O venerable father of crocodiles! We were all lost in sentiments of the profoundest awe and respect, which we proved by tumbling down into the cabin of the Nile steamer that was waiting to receive us, and fighting and cheating for sleeping-berths.-By Mr. M. A. Titmarsh, Author of "The Irish Sketch-Book."

CONVERSION.

If you mean indeed to turn and live, do it speedily without delay: if you be not willing to turn to-day, you will not be willing to do it at all. Remember you are all this while in your blood, under the guilt of many thousand sins, and under God's wrath; and you stand at the very brink of hell; there is but a step between you and death. And this is not a case for a man that is well in his wits to be quiet in. Up therefore presently, and fly as for your lives; as you would be gone out of your house if it were all on fire over your heads. O, if you did but know what continual danger you live in, and what daily unspeakable loss you sustain, and what a safer and sweeter life you might live, you would not stand trifling, but presently turn. Multitudes miscarry, that wilfully delay when they are convinced that it must be done. Your lives are short and uncertain; and what a case are you in, if you die before you thoroughly turn! You have stayed too long already; and wronged God too long; sin getteth strength and rooting; while you delay, your conversion will grow more hard and doubtful. You have much to do, and therefore put not all off to the last, lest God forsake you, and give you up to yourselves, and then you are undone for ever.Baxter.

SKETCHES OF SOUTH AFRICA.

BY THE REV. THORNLEY SMITH.

(To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine.)

CHAPTER I.-OUR ARRIVAL.

Ir was on the morning of a Sabbath that, after a long and tedious passage from England, we drew near the termination of our voyage. We had already called at the Cape of Good Hope, and visited Cape-Town and its beautiful environs; but we had re-embarked, and were now doubling the promontory, and pursuing our course to Algoa-Bay, the principal port of the eastern province of the Cape colony. Not without reason was it, that the Portuguese navigator, Bartholomew Diaz, who in 1493 made the discovery of this part of the African continent, designated it, Cabo dos Tormentos, "the Cape of Storms;" for seldom can you get round it without encountering squalls or a gale of wind; and the currents of the Atlantic meeting those of the Indian Ocean, often occasion a heavy swell of

the sea; so that your bark does indeed "mount up to the heaven, and go down again into the depths, and your soul is melted because of trouble." But the Omnipotent controls all nature, and the wind and the sea are ever subject to his sway. Why, then, should the Christian fear, even when tossed upon the billows of the mighty deep? And truly did we realize the truth of the promise,-" When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;" for, in the midst of all the dangers to which we were exposed, we possessed that sacred peace which nothing can inspire, nothing sustain, save the sure and abiding consciousness of the presence of the one true God.

The emotions of a Missionary as he approaches the shores which are to be the field of his future labours, are deep, tender, and, by human language, indescribable. Behind him are his country, friends, and home, which he may be destined to visit no more. Before him is a strange land, peopled by strangers, speaking, probably, another language, and, it may be, barbarous, blood-thirsty, and cruel; midst whom he is to dwell, to whom he is to announce the tidings of the Cross, and from whom he is to receive he knows not what kind of treatment,-kindness and attention to the message he proclaims, or savage insolence and wrong. Thus, to some extent, was it with ourselves. We were now six thousand miles from the land that gave us birth,—that lovely island of the sea, whence light and truth have emanated far; and before our eyes were the bold and rugged outlines of the coast of Africa,-of Africa, where, as we reflected, Schmidt and Vanderkemp had toiled; and where, by cruel hands, our noble Threlfall fell. Our feelings, however, were by no means of a melancholy cast. We were full of youthful zeal and expectation, and anticipated with joy an entrance among the Heathen for the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. As we stood upon the deck of our vessel, and watched the gradually approaching cliffs, for they seemed sometimes as if they were advancing to meet us, -I know not but that the eyes of all our party, which consisted of eight Missionaries and their wives, were moistened with a tear.

After leaving Table-Bay, we soon passed Cape L'Agulhas, south latitude 34° 30', east longitude 20° 2′; but the winds being contrary, we were obliged to keep at a considerable distance from the land, and therefore only caught an occasional glimpse of the scenery of the coast, though enough to satisfy us that we were near a country whose physical character, as well as its moral, was somewhat wild and rude. Eleven days were occupied in tacking about for the port, though the passage is often made in four. At length, however, we drew near to Cape Receif, a ridge of rocks running a considerable distance into the sea, and forming the south-western side of Algoa-Bay. At this juncture the wind became favourable, and our vessel was carried along at the rate of nine or ten knots per hour. But, ere we entered the Bay, the shades of the evening began to gather round us; and our Captain, not being well acquainted with the coast, greatly feared running upon the reef. In a state of great excitement, he threw off his coat, and ran several times up and down the mizen, to look out for breakers; whilst one man was engaged taking the soundings, two others kept watch at the head of the ship, and all hands were ready to let go the anchor at a moment's word. No friendly beacon pointed out our course; for as yet the lighthouse, so cheering to the mariner, does not shine on this part of the coast, though the erection of one has been long in contemplation. We cleared the reef, however; and now the moon's pale beams broke occasionally through the clouded sky, and served to enliven the somewhat gloomy

night. But, the Bay being gained, another danger looked us in the face. In the midst of this opening, and not far from the anchorage, lies a rock, whose surface is just covered with the water, and which is called, (for what reason I am not acquainted,) the Roman Rock. But neither the Captain, nor the Mate, nor any of the crew, knew its exact position. What was to be done? We might have stood out again for the sea; but the ship was running before a favourable breeze; and it was highly desirable, as every one felt, to obtain the anchorage if possible. It was a moment of fearful anxiety and suspense; but the eye that slumbers not nor sleeps was watching over us; and at length the Captain shouted, "Let go the anchor!" and in a few moments we were riding safely, at our cable's length, a distance from the shore. But we had experienced a very narrow escape; for the following morning boats appeared at our side, informing us that we had anchored too near the rock; and that, had we proceeded onward a few minutes longer, our bark would probably have been broken to pieces. The hour of this deliverance was between six and seven of the Sabbath eve; and I then reflected, and have often thought upon it since, that it was the hour in which thousands in our father-land were engaged in the solemnities of Christian worship, and in which, perhaps, many a prayer for the Missionary of the Cross was rising to the courts above. When the excitement occasioned by the circumstance had subsided, we all retired into the cuddy, and there presented our thanksgivings to our divine Protector, renewing our vows to be his servants, and to promote his glory to the utmost of our power.

That night we slept in peace, and in the morning arose with the dawning of the day, anxious to gaze upon the shore before us. In a few hours our ship was moored to the proper anchorage, and then preparations were made for the long-looked-for disembarkation. Eight years have rolled away since this occurred; yet well do I remember this scene, as though it happened but yesterday. The view is now before my eyes; and had I the pencil of an artist, I could depict it almost to the life. There are some incidents in one's history, important probably at the time they take place, but which after-events almost erase from the tablet of the mind; but there are others one can never forget,-and this was one. Everything was so novel, and withal so real, that it was as indelibly fixed in the memory as an engraving in the granite rock. In the Bay were several ships, discharging or taking in their cargoes; and the beach presented a very lively and animating spectacle, similar, in some respects, to those which are daily witnessed in the smaller ports on the coast of England. We scarcely anticipated a scene of so much life and activity in a region so remote; having been accustomed to associate with the name of Africa ideas of the wildest kind: so different are the notions which men form of foreign lands, whilst sitting at their own fire-sides, from what in reality they are. "Travelling," as a Bechuana Chieftain once shrewdly observed, "is not like staying at home: travelling is seeing, and seeing is knowledge."

There being no pier in the Bay, and the surf being generally considerable, even in the finest weather, the mode of landing both goods and passengers is by large flat-bottomed boats, which are hauled through the breakers, and drawn up to the shore. In this business numbers of the Fingoes are employed, (a class of natives respecting whom some information will be given hereafter,) for which they receive wages equal to those of respectable labouring men in England. Some of us were amused at their wild and grotesque appearance; but the ladies of our party became a

little faint-hearted; for they said, "If these men are so wild and barbarous here, what must those be who reside in the interior?" Half-clad in blankets or sheep-skins, the upper part of their bodies being entirely bare, they certainly did look rather savage. Some of them were smoking their pipes, and others, ever and anon, took large quantities of snuff, of which all the natives of South Africa are fond,-not, however, with the finger and thumb, as is the custom in this country, but with a small spoon, made of ivory or brass, which they carry for that purpose, stuck in their woolly heads. Notwithstanding their barbarous appearance, we found them very expert in managing the surf-boats; and highly were they delighted, as their loud vociferations proved, with the task of carrying us on their backs through the water, and setting us down upon the beach. With the ladies they were remarkably gentle, not to say polite, carrying them in a chair provided for the purpose, and manifesting, by the care they took of them, some idea of the preciousness of their charge. In this way we were all conveyed to the shore. And what words can describe the joy we experienced as, after three months' tossing on the sea, we trode the firm earth once more? The recollection of our voyage, with its perils and its storms, seemed to be swallowed up in the exulting thought, that we had arrived at our destination in peace and safety; and every heart beat quickly with emotions of gratitude to the God whose providence had been our guide. So when the voyage of life shall terminate, and the Christian shall have gained the haven of the skies, will the toils and the trials of this sublunary world be forgotten amid the triumphs in which he will take part.

"When the shore is won at last,

Who will count the billows past?"

Port-Elizabeth, in which we now found ourselves, is rapidly rising into a place of considerable importance. It may be viewed as a monument of British industry and enterprise. Thirty years have not elapsed since, as related in the narrative of Pringle, the foundation-stone of the first dwelling-house of the town was laid, in the presence of Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin, the Acting-Governor of the Colony, after whose deceased lady the place received its name; there being, at that time, not a single building on the spot, save a little block-house, or fortified barrack, called Fort-Frederick. The town now consists of a large and spacious street, upwards of three quarters of a mile in length, formed of commodious dwelling-houses and stores, some of which are elegant and princely. The public buildings consist of a church; two excellent chapels, belonging to the Wesleyans and Independents; a Court-House, attached to which are the news-rooms and library; and extensive and well-erected barracks. The population consists of about two thousand Europeans, and a few hundred natives, who reside at the outskirts of the town. Being the principal port of the eastern province of the Colony, an extensive trade in shipping is carried on; and you will seldom see fewer than twenty vessels in the Bay, from different parts of the world. Large quantities of British manufactures are landed here annually, for consumption in the Colony; whilst the exports, consisting of wool, hides, gum, ivory, and other articles, are very considerable. In the year ending December, 1846, the value of the exports, according to the Government returns, was £199,120; and that of the imports, £253,348. Nor have the resources of the Colony, and of the eastern portion of it especially, been, hitherto, fully developed its capacities are by no means duly estimated. It is worthy of far greater attention, on the part of commercial

VOL. IV. FOURTH SERIES.

3 F

men, than has yet been given to it; and it presents a very wide field of operation both for the philanthropist and the natural philosopher. But more of this anon.

Our reception by the Rev. J. Edwards, the resident Wesleyan Missionary, was as warm and cordial on his part, as it was cheering and encouraging to us. In a very few hours we were all comfortably domiciled at the houses of different friends, or at some of the inns in the town; so that, though in Africa, we could almost have imagined ourselves still in our father-land. Having to remain a few days, before we could proceed to Graham's-Town, Mr. Edwards availed himself of the opportunity of introducing the brethren to his English congregation; and a series of special services were held, for several successive evenings, which were attended by serious and devout congregations, upon whom a gracious influence descended from on high. The foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid a few days subsequent to our arrival, and the edifice, being soon after raised, has since been occupied by a respectable audience. Thus, in this distant corner of the earth, but half a century ago an almost desert waste, are Christianity and civilization diffusing their benign and elevating influences, destined, doubtless, to spread and to extend themselves far into the interior of the land, until the warlike and barbarous nations of South Africa shall all be won to their redeeming Lord, and the wilderness and the solitary place be glad thereof, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Already, indeed, has many a herald of the Cross landed on the shores of AlgoaBay, and penetrated thence the wilds of Heathenism; and now does the standard of our Immanuel wave on the hills of Kaffirland, and on the plains of the Bechuana and Baraputsi country, full six hundred miles from this part of the coast. From the 34th to the 26th parallel of south latitude has the sound gone forth, proclaiming peace and life to man; and by hundreds of the most degraded of the human race has the message been received, and its richest blessings found. The Christianizing of South Africa is no Utopian scheme. And, certainly, if the idea of Christianizing it be abandoned, the idea of ameliorating the condition of its inhabitants, and of raising them in the scale of civilized life, must be abandoned too. Your philanthropic plans will be of no avail without the Gospel. The story of the Cross is the simple means whereby the Hottentot, the Kaffir, the Bechuana, and the Baralong must be raised from the dust of barbarism and superstition, and placed among the ranks of civilized and enlightened

men.

We had arrived on the shores of Africa; but we had now to prosecute our journey to Graham's-Town, on the frontier of the Colony, a distance of a hundred miles. Such a journey is nothing thought of here; but travelling in South Africa is a very different thing from travelling in England. Your locomotive powers in this country are astonishing. You step into a railway-carriage in London, and in the course of a few hours, and without experiencing any fatigue, you find yourself, before you are aware of it, in York or Edinburgh. But in Africa people are content to travel as our fathers did in the olden time, before even stage-coaches were brought into requisition. Except in some of the more favoured districts of the Colony, there are very few roads in Southern Africa worthy of the name, and the rugged and broken character of the country renders their construction exceedingly difficult. The mode of travelling chiefly adopted, as the safest and most convenient, is in waggons, drawn by teams of ten, twelve, or fourteen oxen; and the rate of progress cannot be estimated at

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