In some cases, however, the missionaries have happily succeeded in opening the eyes of the deluded people to the cheat which is practised on them. One of the most intelligent of the Caffers of Southern Africa, having been led to suspect the integrity of the rain-maker, visited Mr. Shaw, and told him of his determination to have the question set at rest, whether or no the rain-maker could produce rain. He had summoned the rain-maker to meet Mr. Shaw in an open plain, when all the Caffers of the surrounding kraals were to be present to decide the affair. Accordingly, at the appointed time and place, thousands of Caffers from the neighbouring country assembled in their war-dresses. Mr. Shaw, being confronted with a celebrated rain-maker, declared publicly that God alone gave rain; and then offered to present the rain-maker with a team of oxen if he should succeed in making it rain within a certain specified time. This was agreed to; the rain-maker began his ceremonies, which are said to have been well calculated to impose upon an ignorant and superstitious people. The time having expired without any signs of rain, the chief who had called together the meeting asked the rain-maker why he had so long imposed upon them? The rain-maker complained that he had not been paid well enough for his rain; and appealed to all present, whether rain had not always been produced when he had been properly paid. Mr. Shaw then pointed out some half-famished cattle belonging to the rain-maker, which were seen on a neighbouring hill starving for want of pasturage, and remarked, that if he really possessed his boasted skill, he would not have neglected his own interests. To this the rain-maker cleverly replied, “I never found a difficulty in making rain until _he_ (pointing to Mr. Shaw) came among us; but now, no sooner do I collect the clouds, and the rain is about to fall, than immediately there begins a sound of _ting_, _ting_, _ting_, (alluding to the chapel-bell,) which puts the clouds to flight, and prevents the rain from descending on your land.” Mr. Shaw was not able to tell what effect this ingenious excuse had upon the majority of the Caffers, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that the intelligent chief, who consulted him on the subject, never _bought_ any more rain. Already Published in this Series. I.—THE SNOW STORM. II.—THE FROZEN STREAM. III.—THE RAIN CLOUD. Shortly will be Published. IV.—THE DEW DROP. V.—THE THUNDER STORM. VI.—THE TEMPEST. Footnotes: {18} Physico-Theology by the Rev. Wm. Derham. {55} See Frontispiece to this Chapter, p. 36. {85} See Frontispiece to this Chapter, p. 74. {133} This plan was brought before the notice of the British Association for the advancement of Science in the year 1840. {155} Harvey’s Meteorology, in the Encyclopædia Metropolitana. {181} One of the stones which fell at L’Aigle, on being analysed by Thenard, gave—