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.

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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

and prolific valleys, fertilized by numerous inexhaustible streams, teeming with rich vegetation of great variety, fully justify the rapturous exclamations and glowing imagery employed in its description. A view of the country from an eminence, is enchantingly picturesque, being agreeably broken and richly studded with patches of jungle, just rendered pervious to the pioneers of civilization, by the depredations made on its magnificent timber. Such is the country running parallel with the coast, for about thirty miles inland; from whence, to the very base of the Quathlamba range, it is undulating, and entirely open. Here trees, and bush, of any kind, are so rare, that even fuel is difficult to be obtained.

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The soil is similar to that everywhere found at the same distance from the sea; but here it is rendered peculiarly fertile by its tropical position, and natural structure. Near the sea it is sandy, but the interior parts are of red and fawn-colored clay, especially on the elevations. The soil of the valleys, and about the sources of rivers, and fountains, is of black mossy loam.

"Except the vine," (which I have seen very luxuriant,) "every foreign plant has thriven well, and the native fruits are uncommonly luxuriant. Some of these are of exquisite flavor, and will doubtless be introduced into extensive One, the amathlala, is like a large orange. Another equally abundant, and much more agreeable and useful, is the Nata kulna. It makes a very pleasant and valuable preserve.

use.

Sweet potatoes are raised here in almost unconsumable quantities; but principally near the coast, the sandy soil of which suits them. The banana is found in some parts; and the castor-oil tree is common and large. From its seed the natives, and I believe some of the emigrants, extract the oil, which has been pronounced good. Cane, also, is found here in great abundance, and from fifteen to twenty feet high. This, as well as the juice of the euphorbia, which is everywhere large, may ultimately produce articles of valuable export. Recent experiments have proved it to be reducible to a texture, like that of Indian-rubber.

"The woods are like those of the colony of the Cape of Good Hope. There is also a kind of ebony, beautiful as rosewood, and taking a fine polish."

To these testimonies, in regard to the unvarying fertility of the soil of Natal, one may be usefully added from an entirely independent quarter. An American, who was familiar with the best districts of New England, and Ohio, and who, in 1837, was in London, after passing a considerable time both in Natal, and in the interior towards Lattakoo, told the writer of these pages, that the part of S. Africa in question, "surpassed all the countries he was acquainted with, in agricultural capabilities, and in the advantages of its climate. He added, that when he left Natal, at which time the emigrant settlers had not arrived from the Cape-colony, and none but native grown grain could be collected, valuable cargoes of it might have been got for the provision trade of Bourbon and Mauritius.

tants, &c.

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This beautiful country is bounded, as occupied by the emigrants according to the last treaty, on the north by the bay and river of St. Lucia, the Zoolah country, almost in a straight direction to the destroyed town of Dingaan, Umkunkingloof; on the west by the Draakbergen, and southward by the river Umsimvobo.

The principal, largest, and most known rivers to the north of the bay of Natal, are, the Umtogeila, with its branches; the little Togeila, Mooi, and Boschjesmans rivers; the three last-mentioned of which spread themselves over the north-westerly part of the country: further, the Umtogaat, Umvooti, and Umguini, with several others. To the south, the Umlaas, Umcomaas, Lovo, Umsincoola, Umsimvoba, &c.; nearly all these rivers have their origin in the Draakbergen. It appeared to me that most of them are navigable only for boats during the rainy seasons, and some throughout the whole year; with little trouble and expense they may also be led out, the land along the same being generally low.

"The mountains are few in number.-The principal are the Quathlamba and Draakbergen, constituting the north-westerly boundary, and the Table mountain to the east of Pietermaritzburg. The country is in general hilly and open, densely covered with all sorts of good and wholesome grass; wood groves in the ravines, and along the banks of the rivers. Near to the shore the country has the appearance of an uninterrupted grove. The yellow, assegaai, iron, Sneeze, and Tamboote wood, grow in abundance; the last mentioned sort much resembles mahogany; the emigrants also say, that white and black ebony are to be found there,-these sorts, however, I have not

seen.

"The climate is very salubrious, agreeable, and mild, now and then rather close; two crops may be laid in yearly; the soil is very fertile, deep and loose, being of black earth, and in some parts red. Nearly every thing, such as potatoes, vegetables, fruit trees, &c., grow about half as quick as in the colony. Wild fruits of a very agreeable taste, amongst which the matagoela, (Itungula, plural Amatungula,) the pride of Natal, has the principal place, and which much resembles our plums; also the wild orange, the medlar, and various sorts of berries, are found in abundance. The Indian corn grows to an immense height; this, and also the Caffre corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and tobacco, grow without irrigation. The rains commence in October, and end in March; much dew falls during the winter.

"The pasturage is very rich and wholesome for black cattle and sheep; the thorn fields are deemed extremely well adapted for the last mentioned, especially for merinos.-During my stay at that place, upwards of 2,000lbs. of wool, of Natal produce, have been sold to the traders; few, however, apply themselves to the breed of wool.

"The black cattle and horses are very fat, and in excellent condition, but subject to the diseases prevalent in the colony. It is, however, to be remarked that not a single head of those, that came from Oliphantshoek, has died. A cross with the Zoolah cattle, as has already been effected, will

of their gardens during the night: this is commonly done by keeping up a tremendous shouting, by which the animals are frightened, and run away. They begin, however, to become a little more polite, for the deadly aim of the emigrant has already brought several to the ground.

"The birds are fine and beautiful, and very different from those in the colony. Among them are, the Mahen, or Caffre crane, much esteemed by the Zoolahs, the clamorous hadida, whose sweet sounds echo morning and evening through the air, the beautiful and sweet-voiced loerie, the golden cuckoo, the green pigeon, a few sorts of parrots, wild ducks of different sorts, wild turkeys and geese, and many others too numerous to particularize. The snakes are uncommonly large; I saw four caught alive, about fourteen feet in length; they appeared to me to belong to the race of the boa constrictor, and were very young. One of them was sent to the colony, and may I believe, still be seen alive in the museum. The rivers abound in fish. The springer, which is to be found in shoals in the bay and mouths of the river, is uncommonly large, and very fat.

The population between the Togula, or Togala, and the river Umsimvobo, consists of the renegade Panda and his large army, and the friendly Zoolahs and emigrants. Most of the first mentioned have fled from the late bloodthirsty tyrant Chaka, king of the Zoolahs. They reside in the environs of the Umguini, the bay of Natal, the Umlaas, the valley of the Umlomoos, Boschjesmans Rand, to the west of the town of Pietermaritzburg, and at some other places. Their number is estimated at upwards of four thousand. The greater part of them are of pretty great service to the farmers, being their herdsmen, in which respect they have thus far behaved themselves as faithful servants; they are deadly enemies to Dingaan. The council intends, as soon as peace shall have been permanently settled, to point them out a special spot for their location.

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'The number of emigrants at present in the Natal country amounts to about six hundred men, capable of bearing arms.

At the Western side of the Modder and Zand rivers, there also are a great number; according to accounts, above three thousand. The reasons that these people remain so long on that spot, are some malicious and injurious reports spread by persons who are hostile to the emigrants; they are, however, now convinced of the contrary, and were busy preparing themselves to proceed to Natal.

The emigrants have not, hitherto, considered it advisable to spread themselves and cultivate to any great extent.

They live together in numbers of one hundred, or fifty and sixty families. The principal spot where they are now, and which they have chosen as their chief town, is Pietermaritzburg, called after the late Governor Pieter Retief, and the Commandant, G. Maritz; it is situated in a westerly direction from the bay of Natal, and from which it is about the distance of twelve hours on horseback. It is intended to lay out this town in a very regular manner, and to build it in a square; about six hundred erven have already

bay. The site chosen, and considered particularly well situated and adapted for the erection of a village in the vicinity of the bay, is situated not far from the anchorage of the ships. It is situated between the Congella, the river Umguini, and the late camp of the English, being an extensive and fertile flat. Only water is not too plentiful at that place, though there is no difficulty in leading the river Umguini thither.

'The people in general are very peaceable, good, and well-behaved. During my stay there, being about nine months, not a single crime of a serious nature has occurred amongst them. Their government is of a democratic nature, based on the Dutch law. They call themselves the "Republic of Natal." The first and greatest power among them is the Council, consisting of twenty-four members chosen by the people. They exercise the highest power, and ordinarily hold their meetings monthly, but, if required, oftener, when one of the members is chosen chairman. They seem, however, gradually to depart from this custom, and rather to incline for a president annually chosen. Mr. S. Maritz, brother to the deceased Commandant, now holds the situation of chairman; in that capacity he has ever conducted himself disinterestedly, impartially, and deservedly, and is very justly called by the people "our father." They have also two Landdrosts, each assisted by six Heemraden, one of whom, Mr. Philippus Nel, is at Pietermaritzburg, and the other, Mr. F. Roos, at the Congella. They generally try all petty-civil and criminal cases. In cases of a serious nature, such as banishment, hard labour, as also sentences of death, &c., a jury of twenty-four is summoned, from which twelve are elected, who give their verdict. The Landdrost on such occasions presides as judge. All sentences of death must be sanctioned by the council, (Volkraad.)

They have also several Commandants and Field Cornets, and one chief and principal Field-Commandant, who, in time of war, has the supreme power, and regulates every thing in the military line. He is, however, always subject to the orders of the Council. Mr. A. W. Pretorious, formerly FieldCornet in the district of Graaf-Reinet, and who is much beloved, respected, and honoured by the people, now holds this important situation.

"The emigrants have unanimously resolved never to return to their native country; nay, rather to defy all danger, to suffer every want, than to allow themselves again to be placed in a situation in which they have to undergo so many disasters, which they have had to experience in the colony, in their own country. They wish for peace with all mankind, even with a tyrant, on whom the blood of their children calls for revenge for his treachery and cruel murders committed.

They desire a liberty undisturbed and fairly regulated, but not in name only. They are determined to retain the country obtained by them in a lawful manner, and which they have afterwards had to purchase with their blood, and rather to suffer the last drop of blood to flow from their veins than to give it up again.

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They are further anxious to have a clergyman from among their own

countrymen, and also some teachers "