has dug by the river's side, and covered over, so as to resemble the solid ground! And those awful blazes of fire, which man alone can produce, the ancient inhabitants lighted every night for their protection and our annoyance. These methods of defence or attack seem to be despised by the new settlers, who trust almost solely to the sudden explosions which they can direct against us at their pleasure with such deadly effect.

"The possession of this power 'more than counterbalances their deficiencies of courage or of skill, and in its application they are often prompted by the most wanton cruelty; for not only we, but their own species also, whose only offence appears to be a darker skin, are shot for their amusement. When their passions are excited by a real or supposed injury, their barbarity knows no bounds: of this I shall relate an instance, from which the assembly may perceive the "perfidiousness as well as power of the beings, whose destruction forms the subject of our debate.

"Soon after the settlement of the whites in our neighbourhood, the natives had great cause for complaint they were deprived, on various pretexts, of their most fertile grounds, they were driven farther into the interior, and many of them were put to death: at last, being goaded to "desperation, they took their weapons, and attacked the nearest settlements, killed several of the whites, and put the rest to flight. Having collected the sheep and oxen (who have always been slaves to

man), they returned in triumph, thinking their enemies would never dare to approach them again.

But they were deceived. Before the 'expiration of two moons, a great number of the whites were collected, and marched against them. They spread death and desolation throughout the country, and pursued the natives from one place to another, until they reached the river, near which we are now assembled. There they halted; and messengers of peace appeared among the whites, offering restitution, and craving forgiveness.

"A day was appointed when the terms of 'reconciliation were to be agreed upon, and on that day, from a neighbouring grove, I witnessed the proceedings. Many hundreds of the natives were assembled on the sloping bank of the river. The cattle were given up, and the boundaries of their future possessions were marked out. The whites appeared to be highly gratified, and in token of friendship, at the conclusion of the interview, threw a number of small trinkets among the natives, and then retired. Suddenly my attention was arrested by a flash of fire, followed by a tremendous explosion, which proceeded from the bushes immediately above the spot where the natives were busily employed picking up the gifts of their friends. When the smoke cleared away, I saw the margin of the river covered with dead bodies -the stream was dyed with their blood. Of the hundreds who had there assembled, only one escaped

to tell the children how their fathers fell by the treachery of the whites.

Such, I am afraid, would be our fate were we to brave their power. My advice therefore is, to retire from their settlements-in a few days we should be far beyond their reach, and roam in our wonted security."

"That is my intention," cried the 10Zebra: "I am free, and never will submit to the yoke of man; but, as I am unfit to contend with him, I shall flee to the distant mountains."

The Giraffe now raised his tall and graceful head above the rest of the beasts, and said, “I neither intend to fight nor to flee, but shall remain here to crop the leaves of the forest. I have no greater reason to complain of the white than of the black inhabitants of this region-and less of them than of some of the present assembly. Have not my friend the "Antelope and myself been the constant prey of the Lion, the Tiger, and the Wolf?"

Here the Tiger, lashing his sides with his tail, while his eyes flashed fire, made a sudden spring on the Giraffe, and fixed his claws in his back. It was in vain that the poor animal bounded from the centre of the group, and scoured through the forest-he soon fell dead beneath his foe.

The Antelope, who was admiring his elegant shape and polished horns reflected in the pool, instead of attending to the debate, started in terror at the noise, and fled with the utmost speed. He

was closely pursued by the Wolf and Jackal, who had for some time beheld him with longing eyes.

The thundering roar of the Lion, which was intended to enforce order, only increased the confusion-all fled from him in the greatest disorder, except the Elephant; and he, disliking the angry growl of his companion, soon marched in solemn. dignity to his wonted haunts-wondering more at the folly of attempting to subdue their common foe while they were at variance with each other, than at the abrupt termination of the Council of Quadrupeds.

Where is Cape Colony? Tell what you know of its history. Describe the Hottentot and Bushmen, the Mangrove, Rhinoceros, Zebra, and Antelope. Describe the course of the Great Fish River. Name the different ways in which the coloured people catch wild animals, as given in the Elephant's address. Describe how the white people, in forming new colonies, have often behaved cruelly and unjustly to the inhabitants. Name some of the quadrupeds abounding in South Africa.

1

5

2 assegai, a kind of spear used by the natives of Africa. more than counterbalances their deficiencies, more than makes up for their want of courage or of skill. in its application, in its use; that is, the use of their power, by means of firearms. wanton, thoughtless; careless; unrestrained; excessive. perfidiousness, treachery; faithlessness; the act of being false to trust or confidence. * desperation, state of despair or hopelessness; also of being mad, furious, or frantic. expiration, end; termination. 8 restitution, the act of restoring anything to its rightful owner, or of giving an equivalent (something equal) for any loss, damage, or injury. reconciliation, restoration to harmony; making peace. 10 Zebra, a kind of horse, a native of South Africa. (see app.) 11 Antelope, an animal in appearance like the deer. (see app.)

7

BE WHAT YOU SEEM TO BE.

THE USE OF FLOWERS.

GOD might have bade the earth bring forth
Enough for great and small,

The oak tree and the 'cedar tree,

Without a flower at all.

He might have made enough, enough
For every want of ours,

For medicine, food, and luxury,

And yet have made no flowers.

The 'ore within the mountain mine
Requireth none to grow,

Nor doth it need the lotus flower
To make the river flow.

The clouds might give abundant rain,

The nightly dews might fall,
And the herb that keepeth life in man,
Might yet have drunk them all.

Then wherefore, wherefore were they made,
"All dyed with rainbow light,
All fashioned with 'supremest grace,
Up-springing day and night;
Springing in valleys green and low,
And on the mountain high,
And in the silent wilderness,
Where no man passeth by?

For outward life requires them not,
Then wherefore had they birth?
To 'minister delight to man,

To beautify the earth.

To comfort man-to whisper hope
Whene'er his 10faith is "dim ;
For Who so careth for the flowers

Will care much more for him.

12 Mary Howitt.