The Hottentot has possessed certain peculiar characteristics ever since
he was first discovered by Europeans. He is dirty, idle, drunken, and
hardy. His idea of luxury is to dance to the music of a fiddle, whilst
unlimited brandy is being imbibed.
The Hottentot is a small, ugly, yellow man, with very high cheek-bones,
small eyes, and large pouting lips. His dress usually consists of
yellow leather trousers termed crackers, skin-shoes, a ragged jacket,
and a large felt hat, in which are ostrich feathers.
The Hottentots are usually waggon-drivers, grooms, domestic servants, or
aids in hunting. In this latter position they excel almost all other
men. They are hardy and quick-sighted, daring riders, and very fair
shots, and thus are useful to the white hunter.
They can eat at one meal as much as would satisfy three hungry
Englishmen, and they can go without food longer than most men. They are
generous to their friends, and it is rare indeed for "Totty" to refuse
to share his all with a friend.
Between the Totty and the Kaffir a deadly hatred exists, the former
seeming to have a natural love for hunting the latter.