a rectangular shape, and covered with prickles. On making an incision, a milky substance exudes. We have as yet discovered no loose rocks, but today we noticed in the beds of the streamlets, strata of bluish slate, much affected by the weather. The soil appeared very rich, having upon it the black mould of the decayed grass of centuries. The waggon was drawn to the side of the bush, and the oxen dismissed to roam at their leisure. The grass is so good that they generally fill themselves, and then come and lie down by the waggons. 5th.-Crossed the Umhlote, (a river in the reeds,) infested with alligators. The tall reeds were considerably above the top of the waggon. 6th. Heat oppressive, but a cool breeze springing up before noon, which is said to be usually the case, afforded us much relief. We proceeded over a fine road, in many places perfectly level and free from stones and drift. We saw two or three large trees, the only ones in our journey that might suffice for planks and boards. The timber for these purposes is said to be found at a greater distance from the coast. Tracks of elephants and other animals were numerous. Generally on ascending each rise of ground, a fine champaign would stretch out before us, fringed in the distance by woody hills. A plant very much resembling the banana, abounds. The true banana is also found. The descent to this, as to all the rivers, is very gentle, sloping here and there around hills, till just as you arrive at the bank, the descent is almost perpendicular. It is but a short time since, that Dingaara ordered all the people to leave this section of the country, and fixed their boundary at the great river Um Tugelah. After passing the Umlali, we passed through a country of fine rolling land with scarcely a bush on it, and covered with high grass. Here we had a pleasant view of the Umvoti, flowing down from a distance among woody hills." Although not in its proper place, (as it is before me,) I insert what Captain Owen, of H. M. ship Leven, wrote of Natal in 1823,-He is speaking of Delagoa Bay, as follows:- These are the positive advantages for Great Britain, to which may be added, that her sovereignty might extend thence as a focus southwards, until it embrace the whole of the coast of Natal, apparently the richest and best endowed land in all Africa." I will now make a few extracts from a pamphlet written by Saxe Bannister, Esq., late Attorney General of New South Wales, and a traveller in South Africa. 66 At length this well-watered, and, what is of the greatest importance to African civilization, this healthy country of Natal, is adopted as a British possession, and four or five hundred white emigrants, some British-born, long settled there, and the large majority of Cape origin, arrived within four years, are again British colonists; so that 15,000,000 of fertile acres thus acquire a new British character. Natal is a country bordering on the Eastern Ocean, situated between lat. 29, and 31, 30 south; with above three hundred miles of coast, and extending above one hundred miles from the ocean, north westward. In 1834, an officer of great experience, and known caution, Dr. Andrew Smith, now staff surgeon to the garrison of Chatham, was sent to Natal by the governor of the Cape, expressly to examine the nature of the soil, and the capabilities of the country for colonization. Dr. Smith's report has been laid before the House of Commons, as follows: "The district in question, is bounded on the west by the Umzimvooba river, on the south by the sea, on the east by the Umgani river, and to the northward its limits have not been correctly ascertained. It may be estimated to contain about 20,000 square miles, the principal part of which is peculiarly fitted either for the objects of the agriculturalist or the grazier. The more western portion presents numerous extensive flats, thickly covered with luxuriant grass, and abounds in rivers and rivulets, the waters of which could be led over thousands of acres at comparatively little expense,-a feature in the character of the country that is hardly within the comprehension of the Cape colonist. "The middle and eastern divisions, again exhibit a broken undulating surface, and abound with low knolls, in some places clustered together, in others separate, and connected by rich meadow, covered with a most beau tiful and abundant vegetation. Here the rivers are particularly numerous; and some of them, whose sources are far in the interior, are very large. The more considerable ones commonly run in deep channels, and from the banks being generally rather precipitous, their waters could not be made available for extensive irrigation, which, however, is of no importance, as the number of small rills, and powerful springs, which everywhere exist, render dependence upon the larger springs, quite unnecessary. In many of the meadows, water was observed oozing out in every direction. Indeed, the best idea I can give of its peculiarity in this respect, is by stating, that what the traveller has to hunt after in other parts of South Africa, with the most anxious solicitude, is here everywhere so close at hand, as almost to constitute an inconvenience. Trees fit for timber, exist everywhere in sufficiency, but they are more abundant towards the eastern and western extremes. In those directions, forests of considerable extent, occur, but without the great proportion of underwood which exists in those of the colony. 66 Such an effect was produced upon one of my party, a Dutch farmer, on our entrance into this beautiful country, that for several days he could scarcely give utterance to any thing but Wonderful!'-I have never in my life seen such a fine place,-I shall never again reside in the colony, if the English government make this a settlement.' The hymn of the much maligned, ill-used, but devout Dutchman, thus expresses his feelings : Op bergen, en in dalen, en overal is God; War wy ook immer devalen of zitten daar is God; Waar myn gedactiten zeveven of stygen daar is God; Paraphrased as follows: On lofty mount, and lowly dell, and everywhere is God! Where'er my eye may stay or dwell,-there, everywhere is God, 'Although, however, there was everywhere such an abundant supply of food for cattle, our oxen evidently lost flesh, a circumstance which led us to fear the grass was either of an unhealthy nature, or deficient in nutritive principles. Our farmer soon explained from what it arose, and satisfied me that in all countries, where the grass is not burned from time to time, the same occurrence almost invariably happens to the cattle depastured upon it. On approaching Port Natal, where we first came in contact with some of the natives, I eagerly questioned them in regard to the subject. They all with one accord, attributed it to the cause just mentioned, to a man affirming that a more healthy country for cattle could not be found, and that in former times, when it was thickly inhabited, their cows could scarcely walk for fat. This circumstance I mention, to prevent it being supposed that I was unmindful of any peculiarity that might militate against the country; and also to meet remarks which might be made, were it occupied and stocked without due precaution. 'Three successive crops of Indian corn, are mentioned as being sometimes reaped in the course of the year. The like information I also had from unquestionable authority; but at the same time, I was not given to understand such to be a common occurrence. The natives usually sow only twice, and each time reap an abundant harvest. On casting their seed into the ground, they never fear the result; they know not what it is to have a crop burnt up, or die from drought. The rains are so regular as to render irrigation unnecessary. On some occasions, I was almost disposed to consider them as indulging in exaggerations, being aware of their anxiety to have it colonized by the English; yet when I applied to the farmer I have already mentioned, he seemed to see no reason to doubt the accuracy of their statements. That there could be no lack of water, I should myself have concluded without any other evidence than that furnished by an examination of the geological structure of the country, and of its vegetable productions, a great many of which have been found to appertain to orders known to be natural only on moist soils." Respecting the soil near Port Natal, Dr. Smith says:-" Grass thrives in profusion, close to the very limits of the salt water, and large herds of cattle could be fed within the range of the guns of the fort."-(House of Commons papers, for 1835,-No. 252, p. 99, 100.) At the same period, 1834, a large body of the inhabitants of Cape Town applied to the government, to found a colony at Natal, declaring that it was 'well wooded, and watered with upwards of a hundred large rivers and running streams; that the soil is fertile, the rains periodical, and the climate cooler than that of the Cape, and highly salubrious.' These accounts weighed so much with the governor of the Cape, as to induce him strongly to recommend the formation of a colonial settlement at Natal. In the preceding year, 1831, another governor, who had before doubted the capabilities of that country, changed his opinion, and reported favourably of it to the Secretary of State. The grounds of that change are fully set forth in the Parliamentary Document already quoted, and from which the following passage is extracted : "The information which I have obtained from those persons who have lately, as well as at former periods, returned from Natal," says the civil commissioner of this portion of the Cape, 'has strongly impressed me with the expediency, or rather the necessity, of the British government taking immediate possession of the harbor, and occupying the adjacent country, with the consent of the Zoola chief, which there is no difficulty in procuring. "That portion of the Zoola territory which is uninhabited, and which Dingaarn, (the king of the Zoolus,) wishes to be occupied by white people, may be in extent along the sea-shore, about three hundred miles, beginning at the Umzimvooba, or St. John's River, and ending on the Tugela, sixty or seventy miles to the eastward of Natal. Its breadth varies from sixty to one hundred miles, and a range of high mountains separates it on the north from the populated part of the Zoola country. The whole of this extensive tract is represented, by my informants, as capable of sustaining a more dense population than any other part of Africa which they have seen; and some of them having travelled far into the interior, are therefore able to contrast one portion of the country with another. The seasons are said to have been regular for the last eight years; that is since King and Farewell's party have resided here. The rains begin in September and end in March, and are rarely accompanied by high wind, which is the constant attendant on rain in the Cape colony. Springs and rivulets are abundant, flowing near the surface, and easily led out. But irrigation does not seem necessary, for the former inhabitants, before Chaka destroyed them, usually chose the highest lands for cultivation. One hundred and twenty-two rivers, whose names are promised to me, fall into the sea between Port Natal and the Umzimvooba. Some of these are considerable streams, particularly the last; but none besides it are navigable, and its capabilities have not yet been clearly ascertained. Timber of the finest quality and dimensions, is found in great plenty, and even forests of great extent are met with, especially on the banks of the last-named river, and in the vicinity of Natal. All the productions of the earth are represented to be of a more vigorous growth than the same productions in the colony, which is an additional proof that they must have a much greater portion of rain than falls to our share. The climate is stated to be milder in winter, and not warmer in summer, than in the colony."—(House of Commons papers, for 1835,—No. 252, p. 58.) Very recent descriptions of Natal, published since several thousands of the Cape colonists have migrated to that country, prove beyond the possibility of doubt that its capabilities, considered solely in reference to agricultural settlement, are very great. That emigration has indeed unexpectedly confirmed the views of the judicious officer whose report, published by Parliament, concludes in these words:-"A detachment of sixty men, with a magistrate to administer the law, and communicate with the Zoolas, would in my opinion be quite sufficient for the protection of a small mercantile community. It would, however, be next to impossible to confine it long to such a class of persons. The character by which this country is known, both in the colony and elsewhere, would urge thither persons of all descriptions, and in no long time the entire of the district now lying waste would be covered with emigrants, who if they were commonly industrious, would soon convert it into a most flourishing settlement.-(House of Commons papers, for 1835,-No. 252, p. 100.) The details to be given in a future page will shew the sagacity of Dr. Smith, by proving that, already, Natal has a white population of some thousands, who have began to export fine wool and other valuable articles. Of those recent descriptions, two are here selected, as particularly good; and they are the more trustworthy by having been published at the Cape, in the face both of those who were familiar enough with the truth to be able to detect falsehood, and of others whose jealousy of the new colony, and other motives for opposing the settlement of Natal as British, would prompt them at once to expose exaggerations. The first is from a cape Colonist, Mr. Boshof, who traversed Natal from the mountains to the sea; the other was written by a well known and experienced Wesleyan Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Archbell, who went from the Cape Colony direct to Natal. 66 On the 19th May, 1838," says Mr. Boshof, "we descended the Draakberg (for several months the tops of these mountains are covered with snow) with six waggons and a cart, and reached its base in an hour and a half. Some parts of the descent were so steep that we were compelled to chain two wheels; but upon the whole the road is not very difficult. From the foot of the mountains to Port Natal the distance is computed at forty-two hours with horse waggons (210 miles,) In the winter the cold is severe on these mountains; out on descending into the level country it is temperate; and as you approach Port Natal it becomes still warmer. On the 4th June, (nearly the middle of winter in this latitude) we saw in the garden of a native, under a woody hill, a distance of between fifty and sixty miles from the coast, Indian corn of luxuriant growth in full blossom, together with tobacco plants and pumpkins and calabashes, all uninjured by frost. At Natal we partook of two large dishes of Indian corn in a green and unripe state. On the whole the climate is healthy, and so mild that two crops of almost every kind of grain may be reaped in a year. The soil is a dark mould, deep, loose, and very fertile. Indian corn has been often found in the fields of the natives, of such vigorous growth, that a man on horseback standing in his stirrups, could not reach the top of the plant. This grain, as also Kaffir corn, pumpkins, and tobacco, are grown without irrigation. It it said that from September or October to March, and sometimes to April, rains are so frequent that the highest hills may be successfully cultivated. Independent of this, however, there is such abundance of water, both by rivers and springs, that by means of irrigation a hundred times more produce might be raised within the comparatiuely small tract of country over which I travelled from the Draakberg to Natal, than in the whole of the Eastern Province. But as irrigation does not appear necessary, with very rare exceptions, it appears certain, that were there sufficient population, the whole country might be converted into corn fields and plantations. 'We crossed, in our progress, several beautiful rivers, the largest of which are the Tugela and Umgani. In rainy seasons I have no doubt but they are navigable for large boats for a considerable distance. The other rivers are the Little Tugela, the Bushman's, the Umvoti, the Umlalas, the Umlas, and several other streams. All these streams have their sources in the Draakberg, at a distance of from fifteen to thirty miles higher than where the road crosses the range. In many places they are capable of being led out without any other expense or labor than merely making a channel to conduct the water. From the character of the soil and climate, I have no doubt but that every kind of fruit-tree which grows in the colony, will flourish there. I have seen bananas, dates, a species of medlar, and some others, growing wild, as also a sort of cane, and Spanish reed, which are indigenous. "Timber for building purposes, waggon-making, &c., is everywhere to be had. The country is hilly, but it is quite open, the wood only growing along the margin of the rivers, and in the kloofs. Near Port Natal, for fifteen miles from the shore, it has, however, the appearance of a continued forest. The pasturage is extremely rich, and very healthy for large cattle and sheep, The whole face of the country is thickly covered by a great variety of grasses, growing from one to eight feet high. It sometimes, for many miles in extent, has more the resemblance of corn-fields, than grazing ground. 66 Elephants, elands, buffaloes, and wild boars, are found in this part of the country; but animals of prey are very rare. After we descended the Draakberg, we never saw so much as the footmarks of a jackall, wolf, lion, or other noxious or ferocious animal. Sheep are permitted to graze at a great distance from the camp, day and night, and are uninjured. The cattle, sheep, and horses, excepting such as have been much used, or kept close to the camp, are very healthy, and are in excellent condition. The farmers state that they have had no disease amongst either cattle or sheep all the time they have been there. The horse-sickness, however, similar to that known in the colony, is also prevalent there. "The roads are smooth and good, although the country is not level. Stones are rarely met with, except in the beds of rivers." The Rev. J. Archbell, the missionary quoted, describes Natal in the follow |