RESIDENCE AT THE CAPE.—REMARKS ON THE ADVANTAGES OF SIMON’S BAY
AS A NAVAL STATION.—PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LIBERATED
NEGROES.—RAPID FAILURE OF LADY BRENTON’S HEALTH AND HER
DEATH.—REFLECTIONS ON IT EXTRACTED FROM HIS PRIVATE JOURNAL.
Three years had elapsed after the last capture of the Cape of Good Hope,
before it was considered necessary to have a resident Commissioner
there. Captain Shield was selected for this purpose, and a fitter, or
more efficient man could not have been found. With a sound judgment,
and the utmost integrity, and undeviating correctness; he possessed an
activity of mind, and indefatigable perseverance that never perhaps was
exceeded. His official correspondence, which Sir Jahleel Brenton found
in the office, was invaluable to him, and rendered his way clear under
all the complexity in which he was involved by the transactions, which in
the ultimate establishment of the dock-yard he was engaged in with the
military and civil branches of the Government.
The Dutch, while masters of the Cape, aware of the insecurity of Table
Bay during the winter months, when it is exposed to the fury of the whole
Southern Atlantic, had been in the habit of sending their ships for
shelter to Saldahna Bay; overlooking, or perhaps purposely concealing
the value of Simon’s Bay; lest it might afford to an enemy the facility
of landing and attacking the colony. Commissioner Shield viewed this bay
with a seaman’s eye, and at once pronounced it to be the only place on
the coast for a Naval Arsenal, and gave this opinion to the Navy Board,
as soon after his arrival as he could obtain the means of forming it.
The Dutch had a few storehouses there for the use of their Batavia ships,
but everything was upon the smallest scale, and the Admiralty on being
convinced by the representation of Commissioner Shield of the fitness
of Simon’s Bay for the establishment of a dock-yard, directed the Naval
Establishment to be removed there, which was accordingly done in 1814;
a Naval Hospital being previously built, and plans agreed upon for the
extension of other Naval buildings.
Commissioner Shield being called to the Navy Board in 1813, was succeeded
by Commissioner Dundas, from Bombay, who retained the situation but a
short time, as he died at Simon’s Town in August, 1814.
Sir Jahleel Brenton, on inspecting the two bays, Table Bay and Simon’s
Bay, entirely concurred with Commissioner Shield upon the expediency of
giving up the former altogether; but recommended, that on surrendering
the buildings there to the Colonial Government it should be with the
understanding, that if required at any future period of war, they should
be again restored to the Naval Department.
Whilst the dock-yard was in Table Bay, no ship could venture to strip her
lower masts, or heave down, from the uncertainty of the weather and the
rapidity with which a gale succeeds a calm, and the glassy surface is
changed into a tremendous sea rolling in upon a dead lee shore. The loss
of the Sceptre there in 1795, and of several large merchant vessels in
the course of the seven years which Sir Jahleel Brenton passed there, are
evident proofs of the dangers incurred almost at all seasons of the year
in this bay; whereas in Simon’s Bay, scarcely an instance occurred during
the whole of that time of a vessel driving from her anchors. Indeed the
one only case was that of the Revolutionaire, parting a cable that had
rotted in India, and falling on board the Zebra, carrying her adrift,
with the wind immediately off one part of the bay, and driving on shore
on the opposite side in a sandy cove under the block house, from whence
they were both got off, the Revolutionaire much damaged from having
passed over a ledge of rocks. But soon after the moorings were laid
down for two ships of the line, and as many frigates, and no accidents
afterwards occurred. It was found, however, that these were inconvenient,
as they occupied too large a portion of the bay, which is not very
extensive, and on that account they have since been removed.
When it was decided that the only Naval Establishment at the Cape should
be in Simon’s Bay, the new buildings were carried on with great energy,
and it soon became a place of considerable importance. A jetty was formed
in the dock-yard: a spacious mast house erected, with a working sail
loft over it, and a very ornamental range of houses for the officers of
the yard constructed upon a terrace overlooking the bay, and the whole
yard enclosed with a wall, forming a remarkably neat and compact arsenal.
Soon after the arrival of Sir Jahleel Brenton as Commissioner of the
dock-yard at the Cape of Good Hope, a vessel arrived with the account of
Buonaparte having escaped from Elba, and of war being revived in Europe.
The consequences of this short war had a very material influence upon the
colony of the Cape, as the transfer of the great prisoner to St. Helena
caused a great demand upon the Cape for supplies of all descriptions, and
excited amongst the wine growers and farmers a degree of energy quite
foreign to the habits of the Dutch colonists, and to which nothing but
English capital, and English example could probably ever have stimulated
them.
St. Helena, of course, became the head quarters of the squadron, from
whence they were sent in succession to Simon’s Bay to refit, and complete
their stores. Large contracts were entered into for wine and flour, as
well as for bread, cattle, and hay, &c. The cattle hitherto killed for
the Cape market were of the most inferior description. They had been
driven from the great cattle farms, in the eastern districts of the
colony, through a long sandy desert, where little was to be found for
their support but the acrid Hottentot fig and other similar plants; and
after a journey of nearly a week, sometimes much more, they were, upon
their arrival either in Cape Town or Simon’s Town, immediately sent to
the slaughter house. The meat, as may be expected, was of the worst kind;
and of the cattle embarked in the wretched state we have described, but
few could be expected to reach St. Helena.
To remedy this, a Cattle yard was constructed in Simon’s Bay, where they
were kept and dry fed for several weeks, and then shipped on board the
transports; and the wind being almost always fair, and the water smooth,
they continued to improve even on the passage, and arrived at St. Helena
in high condition. Sheep were still more improved, and the quick demand
for all the articles of supply, gave great animation to the boors; while
it rendered the Naval Establishment at the Cape of very great importance,
and shewed particularly how sound was the judgment which had induced
Commissioner Shield to remove it from Table Bay to Simon’s Bay, as
there was scarcely an instance during the period of nearly seven years
that Sir Jahleel Brenton was there, in which a cargo might not have
been shipped on board the men of war, and transports. Indeed in a very
heavy gale, blowing directly into the bay, an anchor for a very large
frigate was sent off with very little difficulty; whilst in Table Bay all
communication with the ships is cut off for many days together, and much
longer in the winter months.
More than thirty vessels, some of them of great value were lost in Table
Bay during this period, and only one in Simon’s Bay; and this, for want
of a good look out, running on shore in the night under Musenburg with
all sails set.
The Revolutionaire and Zebra it is true had been driven on shore, but it
was in a species of hurricane off the land, as has been already observed,
and owing entirely to the Revolutionaire’s cable being defective.
Upon this occasion, or rather in consequence of it, when the
Revolutionaire was heaving down to be repaired, Sir Jahleel Brenton had
a most providential escape from losing his life. The ship was keel out
(and it is well known with what difficulty the long legged French built
ships are hove down.) The Commissioner was in the boat examining the
damages the ship had received, and not four feet from the keel of the
Revolutionaire, when the purchase gave way, and she righted with the
greatest violence, throwing the greatest part of the people who were on
the decks overboard, killing one shipwright, and wounding the master
builder of the yard seriously. The column of water between the ship’s
bottom and the Commissioner’s boat was sufficient to act as a fender,
and prevent her being struck by the ship; she was thrown off with great
violence by the broken water, but without shipping any. The boats crew,
all black fellows, seeing the confusion with which they were surrounded,
immediately jumped overboard, and dived to be out of the way of mischief,
and the first that rose finding that order was not quite restored, again
sought for safety at the bottom. They were soon however all in the boat
again, but evidently thought their conduct too natural to require either
explanation or excuse; for they gave neither to the Commissioner, whom
they had thus left alone in the boat, and who was too much amused at
their resource to be angry with them.
In the course of this year, Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburne having
seen his important prisoner settled at St. Helena, was succeeded in
his command by Rear Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, who arrived at the
Cape of Good Hope, which he was desirous of visiting previous to his
taking up his residence at St. Helena; and having brought Lady Malcolm
with him, the circumstance was the cause of much gratification to the
Commissioner’s family, and to Sir Jahleel Brenton particularly; as it
enabled him to act in concert with the Commander in chief, in laying down
plans for the regular supply of St. Helena, and in making the necessary
contracts for that purpose. Sir Pulteney was also enabled to judge
for himself of the capabilities of the Cape, and the character of its
farmers, which rendered the subsequent correspondence between the Admiral
and the Commissioner a very easy one; both were acquainted with each
other’s objects and measures, and the greatest cordiality in consequence
subsisted between them.
With regard to some of the Commissioner’s plans, it is fit that his own
language should be quoted.
“One of the most important subjects that engaged my attention, after
my arrival in the colony, was the situation of the negro labourers in
the dock-yard. These people had been with hundreds of others of their
countrymen captured by His Majesty’s ships, in vessels carrying on that
abominable traffic, after it had been rendered illegal by the laws of
the countries to which these vessels belonged. Some of these negroes,
as many as were required, were assigned to the government departments,
colonial, military, and naval, as labourers; and others were distributed
among the inhabitants of the colony as servants or agricultural
labourers. Those, whose unhappy fate it was to be of the latter class,
were indeed much to be pitied. The tender mercies of the original Dutch
Boor in this colony are but too well known, and the unfortunate black,
not called a slave but an apprentice, lost all the benefit which he would
have derived from being a slave, when being a marketable commodity, his
health was taken care of, and like other animals belonging to the farm he
was well fed, and kept in good condition that he might fetch the better
price, if it seemed expedient to sell him. But the Boor having only a
life interest, (for such indeed it became in many instances where the
negro did not outlive his apprenticeship) tasked him to the utmost; and
as he had been in the habit of acting towards the unhappy Hottentot,
the more the man’s health was impaired, made the greater efforts to get
work out of him, before he died. That this is in no way exaggerated will
be evident to those who read the statements made by Dr. Philip, in the
course of his struggles in favour of the Aboriginal people of the colony.
“Those who were employed in the public departments, as well as such as
fell into the hands of respectable individuals were of course much less
to be pitied. Some apprenticeship, however, was necessary, especially to
the new negro, who would for some years be incapable of earning his own
living.
“Commissioner Shield had in 1810, with that humanity and judgment for
which he was remarkable, suggested to the Navy Board, that the negroes
employed in the dock-yard should be put on the same footing as landsmen
on board His Majesty’s ships, having the same allowance of provision, and
the same pay; the latter amounting to £14 per annum, the balance of which
after the deduction made for their clothes (as in the case of seamen)
should be carried to their credit, and kept until they were out of their
time, as a means of future provision. After the departure of Commissioner
Shield this salutary arrangement had been lost sight of, in consequence
of which Sir Jahleel Brenton wrote the following letter to the Navy
Board; which as it describes the useful services of these men, and led to
advantageous results in their behalf, it may not be amiss to introduce.
“SIMON’S BAY, 31st MAY, 1815.
“GENTLEMEN,
“I beg leave to lay before you an account of the black men
now belonging to this establishment, with a few observations
respecting them.
“By your letter to Commissioner Shield, 13th September, 1810,
you were pleased to approve of his suggestions of these black
people being borne as landsmen, and those who had acquired
the ability to work as caulkers being allowed such further
encouragement as he thought proper. Accordingly the men then in
the yard were so regulated; but those who arrived subsequently
to that period have only been put upon the footing of boys of
the third class, and continued as such till the time of my
arrival here. Upon enquiry I have found that the labour of
this latter description is equally valuable and hard with that
of the former, and I in consequence directed them to be put
on the same footing, and submit to you the propriety of their
being allowed the arrears of pay which would have been their
due, had they received the benefit of your order on their first
arrival.
“It was I believe the intention of Commissioner Shield to have
given them that advantage, had they arrived from Plettenburg
Bay, previous to his departure from this country; they were all
grown men upon their first arrival.
“Several of the most intelligent of the black men have been
placed under the direction of the different artificers, and
some by assiduity and good conduct have acquired such a degree
of skill in their craft, as to enable His Majesty’s service to
derive a considerable benefit from their work.
“I have thought it my duty to extend to these the indulgence
granted by Commissioner Shield to the caulkers, viz. ordinary
seamen’s pay, which I hope you will approve of, as it will be a
spur to their companions.…
“By their assistance the buildings (in the dock-yard, &c.)
will be erected at much less expense than by any other mode of
procuring labourers. They have the benefit of the school, and I
am sanguine in the hope of their deriving great benefit from it.
“As I am upon the subject of the negroes, I must request your
indulgence to a few remarks which a daily observation of their
situation, docility and general usefulness, constantly suggests
to me.
“These unfortunate people at the period of their arrival in the
colony are in general from twenty to thirty years of age, many
of them older, and by the present regulations of Government,
they are to serve fourteen years, before they can obtain their
freedom.
“The negroes seldom attain an advanced age, the generality of
them are past their strength at a much earlier period than the
white people, and consequently at the end of their servitude,
may have no other prospect than a helpless old age before them,
at a time when they must depend upon their own labour for
their support.
“I am aware that their servitude can only be shortened by the
interference of His Majesty’s ministers; but my object in
addressing you upon the subject is, that you would be pleased
to take the case into consideration, and to allow such as are
really valuable to Government in different branches, to receive
an allowance bearing some proportion to their earnings. I
should say, half-a crown a day, including their provisions.
“I should not allow this indulgence to be extended to them
without long and ample experience of its being duly earned,
to be certified by the respective officers. By these means a
provision might be laid up for them, and so much energy exerted
as to produce the most salutary results.
“Many of the blacks have made a considerable progress in
learning, but those landed from the ships are only beginning.
“I have, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”
“TO NAVY BOARD.”
As the subject of these letters may be useful in directing the public
attention to the means of employing a portion of the immense population
placed under the control of this country, it is hoped that no other
excuse need be assigned for the introduction of one or two more letters
respecting the negroes. The next letter is dated, Simon’s Bay, 2nd July,
1815.
“GENTLEMEN,
“In my letter of the 31st May, I took the liberty of offering
a few remarks upon the situation of the black labourers, and
requested permission to extend the indulgence to the deserving
as occasion might require. The experience of every day teaches
me that much good may result to His Majesty’s service, as well
as to these people by a constant attention to putting them
forward in such branches as they may be best calculated for.
“I have already given my opinion on the encouragement which
appears due to those, who have become useful as artificers. I
have since found that many of them are likely to become expert
seamen, from the activity and intelligence they evince in boats
employed on various services, and I am anxious to encourage
them, by an addition to their pay, and making them leading men.
Sixpence a day will I think be ample in the present instance to
four of them, and this may stimulate the others to obtain the
same advantage.
“As there are two seamen allowed on the establishment of
the yard, and none borne on the list, which would have been
absolutely necessary but for the exertions of these black men;
I propose forming a fund for their encouragement, from the
amount of the seamen’s wages, by which the estimate for the
expense of the yard will not be exceeded. I hope to obtain your
sanction to the measure.
“I have, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”
“NAVY BOARD.”
The Navy Board approved of all the suggestions contained in these
letters, with the exception of paying the arrears to those blacks who had
not received the advantage of being rated according to these orders; a
measure bearing very hard upon these people, and for which no adequate
reason is assigned.
Some months afterwards, when the black men from the squadron were
discharged into the dock-yard, previous to its departure for England, the
Commissioner on mustering them found to his great surprise, that some of
these people had been long at sea, serving as part of the complement of
His Majesty’s ships, and doing all the duty of seamen. That these people
should after such service be consigned again to slavery, (mitigated
it is true, but nevertheless, as the labour was compulsory, it was
still slavery for the time it was to last) seemed a hardship not to
be permitted. It was true he felt that it might be said, that in the
dock-yard they had the pay and allowances of seamen. This was admitted;
but it was the principle against which he felt it his duty to contend.
On the mere supposition that the dock-yard establishment was complete,
and that in consequence these negroes had been like other apprentices
distributed among the Boors, the consequence would have been obvious and
most painful, and it would have involved a flagrant act of injustice
towards the helpless blacks, thus reduced without any fault of their own,
from the condition of seamen, serving in His Majesty’s navy, to that of
prædial slaves in a colony, noted for the severity with which such slaves
are treated. Sir Jahleel Brenton in consequence wrote to the Navy Board
upon the subject, and the following is an extract from his letter of the
13th Feb., 1816, immediately bearing upon this subject.
“I feel it incumbent upon me to state the cases of three of
these men, (viz.) Frank, Tom, and Robin, who appear to me to be
entitled to their liberty, in consequence of their having been
in England. They went home in H.M.S. Thais, and returned in
H.M.S. Curacoa, since which period they have served either in
the dockyard, or in the squadron.
“Frank has acquired some knowledge as a mason, and might be
employed as such, at an inferior rate of pay, in the dock-yard.
The others are only labourers, and probably would have no
objection to remain; but as I understand so many decisions
have lately taken place respecting the freedom of slaves being
established, by their having been either in England, or in the
Colonies where slavery does not exist, that I consider it my
duty to make this claim in their favour.
“I have, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”
“NAVY BOARD.”
The Navy Board having laid the above letter before their solicitor,
transmitted to the Commissioner the opinion of this law officer, but
without any comment or direction of their own, leaving the responsibility
of any measure Sir Jahleel Brenton might in consequence adopt, entirely
upon himself. The opinion was as follows:—
“I am humbly of opinion, that if these men have been received
on board His Majesty’s ships to serve as seamen in the navy,
they cannot be now legally detained as slaves; but this right
which, as against the crown, I think they have to their freedom
from slavery, will not annul any contract or engagement, by
which they may have bound themselves to serve the king or any
other master, for any specific period, either in the navy, or
in any other manner; and if no such engagement exist, they are
entitled to their discharge, if they require it, in the same
manner as any seaman in the navy, or workman in the yard may be
entitled to it.
“Signed by the COMMISSIONERS OF THE NAVY.”
“COMMISSIONER SIR J. BRENTON, BART. K.C.B.”
In consequence of receiving this opinion, and so authenticated by the
Board, Sir Jahleel Brenton immediately decided upon giving these three
men their freedom, should they wish it, and having put the question
to them, they earnestly requested their liberty. They had each a
considerable sum due to them, amounting to some hundreds of rix dollars
to each man, which the Commissioner recommended them to leave, or at
least a portion of it, in the hands of the storekeeper, from whom they
might draw it as they wanted; a precaution very necessary to prevent
their being robbed of it. But the temptation to get the whole into their
own hands was too powerful to be resisted. Amongst other arguments used
by the Commissioner to induce them to adopt this prudent precaution, he
stated their ignorance of the value of the notes; all money at the Cape
at this time being in paper; and holding up a fifty dollar note to one
of them, asked him its value, to which the man unhesitatingly answered,
“ten,” and another of five being shewn, the answer was, “twenty.” But
even this proof failed to persuade them. They took their money and in
a few days came to the Commissioner lamenting that it was all gone.
This circumstance convinced the latter, that unless some precautionary
measures were adopted with regard to the poor blacks, no fund that could
be laid up for them would be available, and under this impression he
wrote to the Navy Board again.
In order to dispose of the question relative to the black labourers, one
more letter from the Commissioner upon the subject to the Navy Board may
be introduced, in the confidence that the plan suggested in it, will
appear at once economical and practical, and that if steadily followed
up, it must have been effectual for their provision and future comfort,
and the probable result that of making these men a valuable portion of
the population.
“SIMON’S BAY, 24th SEPT. 1817.
“GENTLEMEN,
“As the works of this yard are now nearly completed, I beg
leave to offer a few observations which have occurred to me,
upon the subject of the black labourers belonging to the
establishment. Many of these people have been in His Majesty’s
service since 1808; and consequently have, according to the
present arrangement for recaptured slaves, only five years
to serve; but from the opinion given by your solicitor,
transmitted in your letter of the 28th May, 1816, they are even
at this time susceptible of liberation.
“It becomes a matter of serious importance to provide for these
people the means of obtaining an honest livelihood, and of
making them useful members of society, when they shall be no
longer under control. And it appears to me that so desirable an
end may be effected, without putting His Majesty’s government
to any expense, by the means which I take the liberty of
submitting for your consideration.
“We find from experience, that the lower classes of all
descriptions of men who have been long accustomed to restraint
and dependence, no sooner find themselves their own masters,
and in possession of a considerable sum of money, arising
perhaps from a long course of industry, than they are
involved in great danger, and generally become entangled
in difficulties, for want of some decided line of conduct
to pursue. The blacks would be particularly liable to this
exposure, unless care be taken to prepare them for liberty by a
superintendence of their concerns, and by introducing them to
it gradually.
“There are amongst our labourers several who have become good
masons, brickmakers, blacksmiths, excellent caulkers, tolerable
carpenters, and expert boatmen, and who consequently, if kept
in industrious habits, are well calculated to provide for
themselves.
“There are belonging to the Naval department, by right of
purchase, and totally independent of the Colonial Government,
pieces of ground, not required for any purposes connected with
the dockyard, nor likely to be required however extensive that
establishment may become, from their situation; a part lying
behind the Commissioner’s garden, and part beyond the Naval
Hospital at the south of the town.
“I should propose that a part of this ground should be laid out
in small lots, say twenty feet by sixty, contiguous to each
other, and appropriated to as many individuals as the Board
might contemplate the discharge of. Upon each lot a small house
should be built by the black artificers themselves, to whom two
days in the week should be given up for that purpose. The stone
and the clay are on the spot; the roofing would be the only
expensive part, which being furnished out of the refuse wood in
the yard, useless for any other purpose, might be paid for by
the smallest annual sum by the occupant, say one rix dollar[21]
per month.
“As soon as six of these houses are finished, as many of the
most deserving men should be put into possession of them; not
discharged altogether from the service, but bound to work in
the yard whenever called upon; and of the expediency of this
the Commissioner should be the judge. The Commissioner would
make this of course dependent entirely upon their good conduct,
in their new situation. When he found them persevering and
industrious, he would naturally leave them in the uninterrupted
exercise of their employment; those on the contrary who were
disposed to be idle, he would call more frequently to the task
work in the yard, and to such as proved incorrigible, he would
revoke the indulgence altogether, putting the more deserving
into their room.
“The days on which they were permitted to work for themselves
they would of course receive neither pay nor provisions from
the yard. Thus by degrees a most useful and industrious body
of men may be comfortably settled beyond the reach of want,
in the exercise of habits of industry, immediately under the
protection as well as the control of their officers. The
ground-rent of these buildings would be a retaining fee, by
which their services could be called for upon any emergency,
such as a fire, or ships driving on shore, and for which they
might receive a stipulated sum. They would continue to receive
the same religious instruction from the chaplain of the yard,
and from the schoolmaster, as when actually belonging to His
Majesty’s service.
“I have, &c.
“J. BRENTON.”
“NAVY BOARD.”
The Navy Board expressed their approbation of the plan above proposed in
the following letter, dated 10th January, 1818.
“SIR,
“In reply to your letter of the 24th September we acquaint
you that we entirely concur with you in the propriety
and importance of giving to the black labourers of your
establishment, at the expiration of their apprenticeship or
legal servitude, all the assistance in our power towards
obtaining an honest livelihood, and at the same time keeping
them within reach of the moral and religious instruction of the
chaplain of the yard, and we are glad to hear the men are so
well qualified in their respective trades, as to obtain work
when set free.
“We have therefore no hesitation in assenting to your
proposition of appropriating ground to them for erecting
dwellings upon in the way you have mentioned; if upon further
consideration you are fully satisfied that such an indulgence
to the black people, will not afford any just ground of
dissatisfaction and complaint to the European artificers; and
provided an absolute power is reserved to the Commissioner
for the time being, to deprive the people of their houses
and grounds in case of misbehaviour, or if required for the
public convenience; giving them in either case such reasonable
compensation for their labour and expenses as he may think
equitable; and no man to have more than a life interest in the
property; but as deaths occur, you will in giving the houses
to others, make it a condition that the family of the deceased
shall have some small sum paid by the new occupant.
“Signed,
H. B. MARTIN
H. LEGGE
R. G. MIDDLETON.”
“COMMISSIONER SIR J. BRENTON.”
About the year 1819 the Commissioner proceeded to carry this plan into
effect, having selected four of the most meritorious blacks, and giving
them in the first instance one day in the week to prepare the ground,
and to collect materials for their buildings, at the same time laying
out their gardens. When the houses were so far in progress for laying
on the roofs, the materials were given to them from the dock-yard;
which from being unfit for any important purposes, were valued at a
very insignificant price; and in the course of the following year, four
very respectable cottages were completed, and put into the hands of the
blacks, who immediately began working for the public in their respective
trades, and when there was no pressure of work in the dock-yard, and
employment was offered to them by the inhabitants of Simon’s Town, they
were allowed to take it without any interruption. But if out of work,
they were always received and paid by the dock-yard, whether absolutely
required or not. They were thus secure of employment, and conducted
themselves so much to the satisfaction of the Commissioner and officers
of the yard, as fully to answer the hopes which had been formed of the
efficacy of the plan. Had the establishment of the dock-yard remained a
few years longer, there is little doubt but that the great majority of
these negroes would have been effectually provided for. There were, it
is true, among these as well as in every other class of human beings,
incorrigible characters, whom no system or measure could reform; and
these, but these only, would have become the burden of the colony: but
then, even in this case, it must be remembered that the colony or the
mother country had had the benefit of their labours during their best
days.
Upon the breaking up of the dock-yard establishment at the Cape of Good
Hope in 1821, the greater part of the blacks were discharged, and set at
liberty; but no previous arrangement being made, it is to be feared that
the large sums due to them were soon dissipated, and they were ultimately
obliged to place themselves in voluntary bondage—not the less galling or
binding from being voluntary. For by the laws of the colony, the servant,
if in debt to his master, must continue to work for him until the debt
is paid; and how easy it is for the master to bring his black labourer
into debt to him, and how difficult for the poor black to avoid or free
himself from that debt, need not be adverted to.
The description of this plan of the Commissioner’s for the benefit of the
negroes, has been given at greater length, as the question of providing
for the great mass of their emancipated brethren in the West Indies, is
not, nor is likely to be soon settled; and some hints for the disposal
of them may here be found, which may be reduced to useful practice there.
The Editor is happy to be able to add, that from very recent information,
it appears that the benefits contemplated, have been in a great degree
realized.
Sir Jahleel’s domestic narrative continues, “As our house required
considerable alteration in order to make it comfortable, General Baird
kindly lent us the Government quarters near Simon’s Town, which was a
most valuable acquisition, as it kept your mother from the noise and
confusion, which necessarily attended the fitting up and furnishing our
own house.” Lady Brenton’s health in the course of the summer, rendered
a change of air necessary, and she was removed to the house of Mr.
Colyn, at Constantia, where Sir Jahleel says, “We were most kindly and
hospitably received by these excellent people, who used every effort in
the power of friendship and goodness of heart to afford relief to my
dear suffering companion. For some time the change of air seemed to have
been instrumental to her receiving great benefit. This called forth our
warmest gratitude to the merciful Providence which had directed us to
the means; and painful as the recollection of these disappointed hopes
may be, my beloved children, the retrospect of this period must fill
our hearts with thankfulness to Him who bestowed such an alleviation of
suffering upon her, such a suspension of anxiety and affliction upon
ourselves. When we consider the duration of life in general, and how
small a portion of it is passed in happiness, or in entire freedom from
solicitude, our hearts must expand with thankfulness for the share of
enjoyment which has been bestowed upon us; and the sanguine hopes which
we were induced to indulge at this period, must make it appear as one of
almost unmixed happiness. A habit of viewing and feeling the events of
life, and referring them to their great first cause, may be considered
as an additional faculty bestowed on the sincere, the patient, and
faithful servants of God; to contribute to their comfort, to ensure their
enjoyment of that which is good in this world; to support them under its
trials, to reconcile them to the state of life to which they are called,
and finally to lead them to that everlasting happiness prepared for them
by the inconceivable mercy and goodness of God.”
Lady Brenton’s health continued in a most precarious and fluctuating
state for some time, rendering frequent removals to Constantia necessary.
She had a very severe relapse on the 26th of January, after which Sir
Jahleel says, “the Almighty was pleased to bestow a considerable period
of relief and comfort.”
On the 29th of January the wind blew with greater violence than it had
ever been known to do in this place, and throughout the whole shore of
the bay on which it acted, there was but one space where a vessel could
have been driven, without being irrevocably lost, although without much
danger to lives. Upon this small space both the Revolutionaire and Zebra
were driven, and by the wind shifting suddenly to the southward, which
brought a heavy sea into the bay, they were both in imminent danger for
some time, but on the 31st were got off without any loss of life.
On the 4th of February Sir Jahleel says, “every day now grew more
alarming, and our situation more awfully afflicting. The dreadful
disorder had assumed a more fearful appearance. Our short excursion to
Constantia had as usual cheered and enlivened the dear sufferer, but we
did not dare to form any sanguine hopes of a residence there. Our kind
and hospitable friends would most willingly have received us for any
period, but anxious to save them the inconvenience, we preferred hiring a
cottage, which at last we succeeded in finding at Mr. Fersfeld’s. Thither
we prepared to remove, but it was with heavy hearts, for we had little
hopes of bringing the dear object of our affection back with us. She was
as usual all piety and resignation; all cheerfulness when not immediately
suffering, and a model of exemplary patience and fortitude, when in
pain and sickness. You and I my dear girl can never forget this bright
example. May it influence our conduct, my beloved children, and when the
day comes, and come it must, when all that we cling to here, when all
who are dear to us, and all to whom we are dear, are on the eve of being
finally separated, at least as far as relates to this world; and may our
last days be like her’s. We went to our retired and comfortable residence
near Wynberg on the 10th of February. The change of air at first excited
a temporary feeling of improvement, but it was not of an encouraging
nature. A settled and increasing debility had evidently taken place,
with loss of appetite, and cough and oppression. Still the sweet sufferer
appeared to enjoy the change, and to delight in the drives which this
part of the country afforded.”
Lady Brenton’s journal, dated 29th March says, “on Tuesday, through the
mercy of Divine Providence, we were permitted to reach home in safety.”
June 3rd, Sir Jahleel says, “my much respected friend, the amiable Lord
Amherst, had just arrived from his unsuccessful mission to China, after
his disastrous shipwreck. Your mother was at this time extremely weak and
suffering, but she assured me that our evening society, at which time
alone she joined us, amused her, and such appeared to be the case. Our
letters which arrived at this period from England were indeed delightful.
Those from my darling Jervis gave me the most sanguine hopes of his being
all I could wish him to be. I felt that I could now correspond with him
as a friend notwithstanding his youth; he was scarcely fourteen at the
time these letters were written. These were the last his mother was
capable of enjoying; how little did she then think she was so soon to
meet this darling child in the realms of everlasting happiness, and how
merciful was the dispensation of our heavenly Father, which prevented
her last days from being agonized by the account of his unexpected
departure; for with whatever resignation the purest heart may bear its
own sufferings, the feelings implanted in our nature render the strongest
mind accessible to the most sincere affliction, at the awful separation
from those we love.
“The 5th of June, 1817. This, my beloved children, was the last day
in which your mother ever took a pen in her hand, unless it were to
endorse her papers, which she requested me to destroy after reading
them; but that became impossible until I had transcribed them for
you. I come now to that period, which awful and affecting as it was,
was full of mercy, full of goodness, and full of the most salutary
influence to us. May we, my dearest children, ever keep it before us,
and cherish it in our hearts, for our affectionate remembrance, our
admiration, and our imitation. From the day on which the last memorandum
was written, until that on which Lord Amherst sailed, the 11th, the
angelic sufferer, though weak and frequently in pain (indeed I fear
constantly) was still cheerful, and appeared to enjoy the society with
which we were surrounded, in consequence of the Ambassador being with us,
who was waiting for a wind. We also felt cheered and comforted at the
observations which were made by some, that her health did not appear in
a worse state than when they saw her the preceding year. On the 13th she
went out with me in the phaeton, but I had not gone many yards before
I felt convinced that her nerves were not equal to the fatigue, that
everything alarmed her, and I proposed returning, to which she gladly
consented. She soon after went to her room; never again to leave it
alive. On the following day I became alarmed, and sent for Dr. Barry.
This extraordinary young man, at the age of fourteen, had undergone
a most rigid examination before the College of Physicians, and had,
by the correctness of his answers, and the extent of his abilities,
extorted from them his diploma, with which he had practised with the most
extraordinary success. Had not a firm conviction taken place in my mind,
that the nature of my beloved Isabella’s disorder, was beyond the reach
of human skill, I should have derived the most sanguine hopes from his
advice; but with such an impression upon my mind, I knew that Omnipotence
alone could restore her; and although I never had the presumption to
hope that a miracle would be performed in my favour, yet to the last
hours of her life, the faint glimmering hope of her being spared to me,
never wholly abandoned me. On this day he pronounced the case to be
very alarming, and declared strong measures to be necessary. Her state
was soon pronounced hopeless. To me she did not appear sensible of her
danger; but I have since found that she knew it, and had cheerfully
resigned herself to it. She did not hesitate to converse upon it with my
sister, but could not bring herself to give me the afflicting tidings.
I became very anxious that she should receive the sacrament, but was
fearful of exciting alarm by my mentioning my wishes. This was a state
of mind which can easily be imagined, but which it is difficult to
describe. This complicated anxiety dwelt very strongly upon my mind, and
gave rise to a circumstance, which I shall ever consider a dispensation
of Divine Providence. I was lying on the sofa in her room, and dreamed
that I was receiving the sacrament with her. I awoke with a very strong
impression of the dream upon my mind, but soon after fell asleep again,
and the dream was renewed. I considered this as an imperative warning,
which I dared no longer slight, and seating myself by her side, I took
the earliest opportunity of speaking upon religious subjects. I then
mentioned my dream and consequent anxiety. She heard me, not with dismay,
but with delight; assured me she had long wished for it, and expressed
her earnest desire that it should be administered. She regretted the
absence of Mr. Hough, the clergyman, with whom we had long been on the
most friendly terms. His worthy successor she had only had an opportunity
of seeing, the preference was consequently natural. Providentially Mr.
Hough came down that very morning; and as far as I can now recollect he
was quite unexpected. I lost no time in calling upon him to administer
the sacred rite, which he immediately did, going through the Service
for the Visitation of the Sick. With what calmness and resignation, and
at the same time with what angelic fervour, did she make her responses
to the questions which he put to her upon the state of her mind and
conscience. Her eyes alone were dry upon this trying occasion; they were
lifted up in humble and holy confidence to her Creator and Redeemer.
Never will the remembrance of this scene be erased from my mind. She
appeared as tranquil and collected as though in perfect health. Mr. Hough
called upon us the two succeeding days, and upon each occasion we had
in her presence a most interesting and most comforting conversation, in
which the dear sufferer frequently joined; but our sentiments were so
entirely in unison upon every subject, that I can now remember with a
feeling not to be expressed, how her eyes glistened with delight, as I
suggested, from time to time, those sources of consolation to which we
had ever looked, during the whole of our happy union, and which had now
become our sole support in this trying hour. After the holy sacrament had
thus been administered, I felt no longer any restraint upon religious
subjects, and thenceforth they occupied nearly all our conversation.
I read to her every day one of the chapters of St. John’s Gospel, so
admirably calculated to quicken faith, and to render real and sensible
the hidden things of the world to come. I also frequently read over to
her the 23rd, 34th, 46th, 103rd, and 107th Psalms, with all of which she
was greatly delighted, but more particularly with the 23rd, verses of
which she frequently repeated. On the 13th of July she had become so weak
as to cease to be able to walk; previous to this she had had intervals
of ease, and had even been removed into another room, for change of air
and scene. She now wished to receive the sacrament again, and it was
administered by Mr. Dennis. From this time a lively faith seems to have
taken an entire possession of this angelic mind. The words of our blessed
Lord and Saviour, ‘Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out,’
were constantly upon her lips. Thursday night previous to her departure,
upon going into her room, I found her in a state of delirium; she knew no
one, but repeated with a voice perfectly distinct, and with the harmony
of a seraph, the Lord’s Prayer, and the 23rd Psalm. She soon after
recovered her recollection. A paroxysm came on which threatened instant
suffocation. As soon as she could speak, she requested Dr. Duke and Mr.
Dennis might be sent for. In the course of a short time she was quite
composed, and at three in the morning received the sacrament, with the
same calmness and enchanting resignation she had manifested upon previous
occasions. She appeared to be greatly comforted, and soon after fell
into a peaceful slumber, which continued without interruption for nearly
twelve hours; but previous to falling asleep, and immediately after
receiving the sacrament, she said, ‘Remove that light,’ (a candle being
placed in such a manner as to incommode her) ‘I shall soon see a much
brighter.’ ‘Do you feel that, Lady Brenton?’ said Mr. Dennis. ‘Yes, I do,
indeed,’ she rejoined, ‘but I hope I am not presumptuous. I am going to
sleep; I think I shall awake in a celestial light.’ She dozed a little;
then opening her eyes exclaimed to my sister, ‘O! Mary, am I still here!
The hope of meeting my Saviour face to face—I trust I am not impatient.’
She then slept again in the most perfect composure. She continued in the
last state of languor until Sunday night, which she passed in constant
pain, with extreme difficulty of breathing, and on Monday the fatal
symptoms became very apparent, in reduction of the pulse, and coldness of
the extremities. At two o’clock on Tuesday morning the paroxysms became
so quick and so severe as to threaten instant dissolution. We surrounded
her bed, in momentary expectations of her being delivered from her
sufferings. At nine she was most severely convulsed, but her countenance
instantly resuming that angelic sweetness, which it had ever worne
through life, she resigned her soul (spotless through His blood) into the
hands of her Redeemer!
“I have thus, my darling children, gone through the painful task of
recording the last sufferings of your inestimable mother. Let us
endeavour to resign ourselves to the Divine Will, under the truly awful
dispensations which befell us in the course of that year. Let us remember
that all our trials are sent in mercy; and I fervently and sincerely
assure myself, that at some future period (perhaps the close of our
lives) we shall look back to these afflicting scenes, with heartfelt
gratitude and adoration, for having lifted our hearts above the things
of this world, and for having furnished us with so bright an example in
the object of our fondest affection, to stimulate us in the practice
of piety, gratitude, and peaceful resignation; for all which she was
so truly eminent. Let it be the study of our lives to contemplate her
virtues, whilst we most affectionately cherish her memory. It will
evermore prevent our looking with idolatrous fondness on the things of
this world, and keep our hearts fixed on Him, in whose presence is the
fulness of joy.
“There is no work of human composition, which has afforded me more
comfort under this trying affliction, or seemed more applicable than
‘Young’s Night Thoughts.’ I have frequently quoted to you such passages
as have from time made the most forcible impression. The following
possesses great force, beauty, and consolation.
‘But why more woe? more comfort let it be,
Nothing is dead, but that which wished to die;
Nothing is dead, but wretchedness and pain;
Nothing is dead, but what incumbered, galled,
Blocked up the pass and barred from real life!’”
_Page 94._
Lady Brenton we have seen had been in the habit of making copious
extracts from her favourite authors; no doubt for the future benefit of
her children; in allusion to one of these taken from Wilberforce’s work
on Practical Christianity, Sir Jahleel makes the following remark.
“However deeply you may be struck with the sentiments of the great and
pious character, who has been himself so eminent an example of piety and
virtue, who has so truly adorned that gospel which he professed, who has
so strenuously endeavoured to shew his love to God, by his affection for
his fellow creatures; however impressive you may, at a future period
of your lives consider these arguments; they will to you, my darling
children, appear with an additional force and value, thus treasured up
for your attention, and guidance, by your beloved mother—by her, who
first taught your infant lips to lisp the sacred name of God in prayer,
and who enjoined you to place your trust, your hopes and your happiness
in Him. How much do I owe to her, whom the Almighty, in His abundant
mercy, was, pleased to bestow upon me.
“Well indeed do I remember that upon our first meeting after that long
separation, of which I have already told you, and previous to our
marriage; with what sweetness, what meekness, but with what dignified
judgment, and true piety, did she instil similar sentiments into my mind;
and shew me what erroneous views I had formed of the requisitions of
Christianity. I was indeed a nominal Christian; my chief apprehension was
of being righteous over much, and I felt as though a general compliance
with the letter of the commandments was all that was required of me;
and even in the neglect of many of these, I comforted myself with the
reflection that the Lord would not be ‘extreme to mark what was done
amiss.’ I was even in the constant habit of committing a breach of the
third commandment without being sensible of it, and allowed myself to
use the sacred name of God, in common and trivial conversation, without
feeling the wickedness of such profanation. For this she instantly but
gently reproved me. On the very first day of our meeting she entreated
me to conquer the habit, with so much earnestness of affection, and
described the nature of it in such just terms, that the effect was
instantaneous, and I can hardly remember having been afterwards guilty
of it, never certainly without strong reproaches of conscience; and for
many years it has given me a feeling of pain when I have heard others
guilty of it, similar to what my beloved Isabella experienced for me.
Having been sent into the world at an early age, and not having had
the advantage in any ship to which I belonged in early life, of ever
hearing religion mentioned; it had certainly not been cultivated in my
mind; and but for the pains taken by my beloved mother in my childhood,
which the Almighty had been pleased to enable me to retain, amidst all
the trials, temptations, and bad examples, to which I was so frequently
exposed, and which I now deeply deplore, as having sometimes had dominion
over me; but for these seeds thus preserved, I should indeed have been
‘without God in the world.’ But blessed be God, the inestimable treasure
which he bestowed upon me in his mercy, soon opened my eyes, and taught
me to see the difference between a nominal and a real Christian. All my
future hopes, all my present consolation arises from this source. It
was from her ardent piety that I was taught to distrust the bare forms
of religion, as utterly inadequate to the fulfilment of its duties; and
learnt that our best efforts are imperfect, and can only be accepted
through the atonement of our blessed Lord and Saviour.”
In reference to some extracts from Buchanan’s Christian Researches Sir
Jahleel says, “to those who have not the same reason to cherish the
remembrance of the beloved object who made the above extracts, they will
naturally appear inconsequent and uninteresting, but to us, my beloved
children, to whom every recollection of her is dear, they will appear
and prove far different; they will excite in us a lively interest in
the work to which they refer, we shall read it with more attention, we
shall feel as though her dear eyes were still perusing those pages, and
the subjects of them will make a deeper impression upon us. I already
feel the force of this association, and am convinced that it will be
an additional stimulus to me to exert myself in the object I now have
in view; that of procuring the extension of the Church of England over
this colony, by every effort in my feeble power. Should I succeed to
become, under Providence, the humble instrument towards forming even
one establishment, and should I see it flourish, with what delight will
you my darling children, at some distant period, when I also shall have
left you, praise these memorials of your dear and affectionate parents;
with what feeling will you contemplate our mutual love and respect for
each other’s sentiments, which will so often and so forcibly appear to
you, as you read over these remarks, and behold them in this instance
producing upon my mind the same powerful effect, as though my beloved
and inestimable companion were still present with me, assisting me in
my efforts, by her piety and judgment. It is time that I should inform
you, that for many months I have made it my practice before I open these
invaluable extracts, to offer up the following humble prayer to the
Almighty. ‘O! Almighty God, give me grace, I beseech Thee, most sincerely
and affectionately to cherish the memory of my beloved wife, to imitate
her piety and gratitude to Thee, to teach them to my beloved children,
and may we at last all meet in Thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus
Christ, our Blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.’”
In reference to an extract from the life of Sir William Jones, on the
subject of the slave trade, he adds; “what a variety of feelings will
the few lines thus rendered dear to us, my darling children, by the hand
which treasured them up for us, excite in our minds. Every circumstance
connected with this dreadful trade, every instance which has fallen
under our own experience, the gratitude and reverence due to the noble
and undaunted mind, which could first contemplate the plan, and finally
obtain the splendid feat of emancipation, strengthen the conviction.
On what a proud eminence has the consistent and persevering piety of
Wilberforce placed him! How far above the most successful hero that ever
became the idol of a nation! Here indeed we see the precepts of our
Blessed Saviour brought into practice. Here we see a fellow creature
‘so letting his light shine before men,’ that we are naturally inclined
with one voice to ‘glorify our Father which is in heaven.’ We must, if
we steadily contemplate the life and actions of this most exemplary of
our countrymen, feel a desire to imitate him. His actions have given
such irresistible strength and persuasion to his writings, that we must
be influenced by them. He has indeed built his house upon a rock; the
rain may descend and the floods come; the winds may blow and beat upon
that house, but it will not fall. From this delightful contemplation we
must, however reluctantly, turn our eyes to that great portion of the
human race still in bondage, whom the energy of our beloved country has
not yet been permitted to reach, blessed as it has been with the Divine
Protection; their hour is not yet come, but it may be reserved for us
as the humble instruments of the mercy of our Creator and Redeemer to
soothe, and alleviate the sufferings of numbers now in misery; and we may
hope that at some future period, perhaps not very distant, we may be the
means under a kind Providence of liberating not only their bodies, but
their minds from the cruel captivity under which they are now suffering.
The serious reflections which this subject must necessarily excite in our
minds, will also produce another blessed effect. They will incline us
to be kind and charitable to our poor fellow creatures, who although in
the enjoyment of comparative liberty, are from adverse circumstances of
poverty, sickness, and affliction, placed in a state of almost the same
dependence upon us, as though they were our own property. The mind of
your angelic mother was peculiarly alive to feelings of this description.
The kindness, the mildness, the sweetness of her disposition, was as
conspicuous towards her servants as towards her children. The natural
consequence was, that they loved as well as respected her; her house was
not only well regulated, but the abode of happiness to all who dwelt in
it.”
In reference to extracts from a sermon on the 19th Psalm, 1-3, author not
known—“Let us endeavour to render these remarks valuable in directing our
reflections, and in giving an habitual turn to our minds, by which the
sublime scenery in the midst of which we dwell, may have an increasing
influence in keeping alive our piety and gratitude to our Maker. If, as
the excellent author of the above extracts observes, we contemplate the
works of creation in both the points of view which he suggests, we shall
have abundant employment for our thoughts, and they will insensibly rise
from earth to heaven. Gratitude if really felt, will produce love and
adoration, and as we daily endeavour to strive at that perfection of
character, which although beyond our reach, is held out to our view,
in order to stimulate and purify us; we shall meet with a most gracious
and inestimable reward, by the peace and comfort it will procure for us
in this life, and the bright prospect of never ending joy in the life to
come.
“In tracing the various phœnomena of nature back to their first causes,
we are not only delighted with the employment, and instructed by the
intelligence that daily breaks in upon us from every direction; but
when our finite reason arrives at the end of her career, and refuses to
conduct us further, we find ourselves at once in the presence of the
Deity, the author of all things, who has been graciously pleased to
reveal to us a part of the mysteries of creation, reserving the remainder
to the future period of our interminable existence.”
Extract from Lord Chatham’s letters to his nephew.—“Behaviour is of
infinite advantage to a man, as he happens to have formed it, to a
noble, graceful, engaging and proper manner, or to a vulgar, coarse, and
ill-bred, an awkward and ungenteel one.”
Remarks by Sir Jahleel Brenton.—“I remember your mother taking great
delight in the letters from which the foregoing is copied; and that she
drew from them many of the ideas she had formed for the guidance and
counsel of her own darling children, had it pleased the Almighty to have
permitted them to enjoy for a longer period the blessing of such an
instruction. Let us imagine to ourselves all she intended, and all she
wished for you, and endeavour by a tender and affectionate recollection
of her statements to fulfil the object nearest to her heart. You, my
sweet I——, will never forget the impressive manner in which your beloved
mother inculcated the various instructions you received from her, or with
what judgment she distinguished between those acquisitions which were
to have an influence upon your comfort and prosperity through life, and
such as were only likely to procure for you an ephemeral admiration. That
you should gain entire possession of the former, was the object of her
constant solicitude, of her unwearied endeavours, because she felt that
real happiness even in this world, is not to be attained without piety
and virtue; whereas experience had taught her, that the glare of shining
accomplishments was often seen in characters devoid of both. With this
impression upon your mind, it is probable that you may not be able to
account for the importance attached to the carriage of your person by
your inestimable mother; but I can in a few words explain the difficulty,
which, under almost every similar circumstance, I feel the comfort of
being able to do, from the perfect harmony of all our sentiments and
opinions. Our Christian profession not only prescribes that we should
individually perform our duty to our Maker, and our fellow creature,
in such a manner as to fulfil the intention of our heavenly Father in
creating us; but he has expressly ordered us to let our light so shine
before men, that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven; and
consequently that we may lead all who may be within the sphere of our
influence to follow the example. You have already seen enough of human
nature to be convinced that much depends upon the manner of conveying
instruction, and that we are frequently influenced by the association
of ideas, in themselves totally distinct. A person, for instance, may
utter the soundest doctrine, with the most sublime eloquence, yet should
there be at the same time a distortion of countenance, any disgusting or
repulsive peculiarity of action, or any moroseness or severity in his
manner, the effect which such a discourse might have produced, would be
very much lessened, and to many would be entirely lost, from the medium
through which it had reached them. Let us follow up the reflection, and
suppose a person making profession of strict attention to his religious
duties, and not only professing, but really, as far as is consistent
with human weakness, acting up to them. Let us suppose that he should
be constant and regular in his devotions both public and private; that
the whole tenor of his conduct in the state of life in which he might be
placed, should be upright, full of integrity, and unimpeachable; that he
should be indefatigable in doing good, and that his charity should be
unbounded; but also, that with all these mental qualifications he should
be awkward in his gait, careless and slovenly in his person, coarse and
ill-bred in his manners, mean and idiotical in his appearance, (for these
blemishes and virtues are by no means incompatible,) what would be the
effect produced upon those with whom he associated? Would the influence
of his good qualities be sufficiently strong to cover his defects? Would
those who were offended by his manner, and disgusted with his appearance,
forget these feelings in the contemplation of the bright parts of his
character, of which they could only judge perhaps from the report of
others? Or would there not arise on the contrary a general indisposition
towards him? Some might even go so far as to attribute his failings to
religion itself, and ascribe to this sublime principle the greater part
of his faults, as the offspring of self-righteousness and contempt of the
world.
“Let us on the other hand draw the delightful picture of the sincere and
faithful servant of God, adorning his faith by his practice, resolute and
full of energy in the performance of his duties; but at the same time,
mild and amiable and graceful in his manners; if called upon to preach
the word of God, his eloquence might be rendered still more persuasive,
by the sweetness and dignity of his expression and gestures. In the daily
intercourse with society, he might, by gentle, unassuming, and graceful
manners, continue to enforce his doctrine, which would be rendered more
attractive by the conviction, that it was not hostile to the elegance and
refined enjoyments of life. Here my children, you may see the propriety,
and even the necessity of attending to that correctness of conduct and
gracefulness of manner, which is called politeness.”
As the extracts terminate here, it appears but justice to the husband to
insert the following from the pen and the heart of his wife.
Extract from Lady Brenton’s journal, Simon’s Town, April 19th,
1815.
“This day thirteen years I became the wife of my beloved
Brenton; and most truly can I say, that never was woman blessed
with a superior, or more exalted character in a husband than
myself. When I say that I found him possessed of every virtue
that can adorn or dignify human nature, I think I do not
exaggerate, for I am not singular in my opinion: grateful
indeed then do I feel to the all-wise disposer of events, that
it pleased Him to vouchsafe me such a blessing, frail and
erring mortal that I am. Our lives since our marriage have been
chequered with a variety of scenes, but thanks be to Almighty
God we have not met with any real misfortune; and the blessings
we have received have preponderated so much, when weighed
against the scale of disappointments, annoying circumstances,
and pecuniary losses; that we can only have one feeling, when
we view our situation in its true and proper light, and that
is, most unbounded gratitude to the Father of all mercies.”