One peculiarity you will observe as you go along, which is, that the Dutch wife is a fixture at the little tea-table all day long.

She never leaves it, and the tea is always ready for every traveler who claims their hospitality; it is an odd custom." "And I presume that occasions the good woman to become so very lusty." "No doubt of it; the whole exercise of the day is from the bedroom to the teapot, and back again," replied Swinton, laughing.
"One would hardly suppose that this apparently good-natured and hospitable people could have been guilty of such cruelty to the natives as Mr.Fairburn represented." "Many of our virtues and vices are brought prominently forward by circumstances," replied Swinton.

"Hospitality in a thinly-inhabited country is universal, and a Dutch boor is hospitable to an excess.

Their cruelty to the Hottentots and other natives arises from the prejudices of education: they have from their childhood beheld them treated as slaves, and do not consider them as fellow-creatures.

As Mr.Fairburn truly said, nothing demoralizes so much, or so hardens the heart of man, as slavery existing and sanctioned by law." "But are not the Dutch renowned for cruelty and love of money ?" "They have obtained that reputation, and I fear there is some reason for it.