As to the Qualities of this Land, by what Observation I could make of it, I found it to be: First, Fruitful; and for that Reason, our East-India Company hath caused some years ago, very many strong Places to be Built there by the Water-Side, close under the Duyvel's-Bergh, Lewen-Bergh, and Tafel-Bergh, well stored with Soldiers, and all things necessary, and are sufficiently provided against the Incursions of the Wild-Men; so that their Ships going to and from the Indies, may safely, and without any danger, put in there at any time, and take in Provisions, whether it be of Cattle, Water, Wood, or other Refreshments. And here are already a great many Boors that are come from Holland, and by reason of the great Priviledges that are granted them, have settled there, and have Tilled the Land and made it very fruitful, for a matter of 10 to 20 miles round about these Places. Secondly, Very Populous: The Inhabitants are called wild Africans, or Hottentots. Their Colour is like that of the Egyptian Heathens, or as we call them corruptly, Gypsies. The Hair of the Head grows entangled in one another, like the Wool of a young Lamb; upon which they hang for Ornament all manner of Sea-shells. They are of a middle stature, and well-proportioned, only that they have their Noses a little too flat and broad.
They wear no manner of Cloaths, only a Sheeps-skin or Calf-skin on their Shoulders, (and that's besmeared with Grease to make it soft and pliant) when it is a little Cold, or when it Rains. They wear the Tail of a Fox, or of a wild Dog, hanging before their Privy-Parts. The Women among these Hottentots have a different Ornament from the Men, which is the Gutts of their Cattle fresh killed. These they wrap about their Legs, not minding the inconvenience it puts 'em to, which is such that they can hardly go, and they leave 'em there till they are quite dry.
I had often-times been told, that these Women had naturally a little kind of a Flap [see ‘Apron*’] growing over their Privities, like that of a Turkey-Cock's Bill, which I had a mind to see if it were true; but upon Examination, I found nothing of Truth in it. My Experience cost me only some Tobacco.
These People have a very strange Speech, and make such a disagreeable Noise with their Mouth, as other Nations cannot imitate; but a great many of them that live near to the Cape of Good Hope can speak some Dutch. They have no manner of Religion, Prayers, or Laws, only they Worship the Moon. The first time that they see it; they spend the whole Night in Dancing, Singing, and Bawling, Ha, ha, ha, ha. They do not at all trouble themselves with Building or Planting; so that they have no constant Abode, but move from Place to Place with their Children and Wives, where they can find Pasture for their Cattle. They eat all sorts of the Fruits and Roots* that grow in the Fields. They make no difference, whether their Meat is kill'd, or dead with any Distemper, or whether it be Man's Flesh: Whatever it be, they throw it upon some Coals, leave it there a little while, and so Eat it.
They live in small Hutts or Holes, every one with his Wife. If any of the Women have two Children at one Birth, they kill the weakest, that the other may have the Breasts to himself, and grow stronger and lustier. As soon as the Boys come to be about Twelve years of Age, they cut off his right Testicle*, that he may be the fitter for Running.
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