Little Malays Are Lovely, But TOO Well-Behaved
And Quiet.
I tried to get a real 'tottie', or 'Hotentotje', but
the people were too drunk to remember where they had left their
child.
C'est assez dire, that I should have had no scruple in
buying it for a bottle of 'smoke' (the spirit made from grape
husks). They are clever and affectionate when they have a chance,
poor things, - and so strange to look at.
By the bye, a Bonn man, Dr. Bleek, called here with 'Grusse' from
our old friends, Professor Mendelssohn and his wife. He is
devoting himself to Hottentot and aboriginal literature! - and has
actually mastered the Caffre click, which I vainly practised under
Kleenboy's tuition. He wanted to teach me to say 'Tkorkha', which
means 'you lie', or 'you have missed' (in shooting or throwing a
stone, &c.) - a curious combination of meanings. He taught me to
throw stones or a stick at him, which he always avoided, however
close they fell, and cried 'Tkorkha!' The Caffres ask for a
present, 'Tkzeelah Tabak', 'a gift for tobacco'.
The Farnese Hercules is a living TRUTH. I saw him in the street
two days ago, and he was a Caffre coolie. The proportions of the
head and throat were more wonderful in flesh, or muscle rather,
than in marble. I know a Caffre girl of thirteen, who is a noble
model of strength and beauty; such an arm - larger than any white
woman's - with such a dimple in her elbow, and a wrist and hand
which no glove is small enough to fit - and a noble countenance too.
She is 'apprenticed', a name for temporary slavery, and is highly
spoken of as a servant, as the Caffres always are.
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