The Kaffir is essentially hospitable. On a journey, any one may go to the kraal of a stranger, and will certainly be fed and lodged, both according to his rank and position. White men are received in the same hospitable manner, and, in virtue of their white skin and their presumed knowledge, they are always ranked as chiefs, and treated according. The Kaffirs are singularly domestic people, and, semi-nomad as they are, cling with great affection to their simple huts. Chiefs and warriors of known repute may be seen in their kraals, nursing and fondling their children with no less affection than is exhibited by the mothers. Altogether, the Kaffir is a social being. He cannot endure living alone, eating alone, smoking alone, snuffing alone, or even cooking alone, but always contrives to form part of some assemblage devoted to the special purpose. Day by day, the men assemble and converse with each other, often treating of political affairs, and training themselves in that school of forensic argument which has already been mentioned. CHAPTER II. COURSE OF A KAFFIR’S LIFE -- INFANCY -- COLOR OF THE NEW-BORN BABE -- THE MEDICINE-MAN AND HIS DUTIES -- KAFFIR VACCINATION -- SINGULAR TREATMENT OF A CHILD -- A CHILD’S FIRST ORNAMENT -- CURIOUS SUPERSTITION -- MOTHER AND CHILD -- THE SKIN-CRADLE -- DESCRIPTION OF A CRADLE BELONGING TO A CHIEF’S WIFE -- KINDNESS OF PARENTS TO CHILDREN OF BOTH SEXES -- THE FUTURE OF A KAFFIR FAMILY, AND THE ABSENCE OF ANXIETY -- INFANTICIDE ALMOST UNKNOWN -- CEREMONY ON PASSING INTO BOYHOOD -- DIFFERENT THEORIES RESPECTING ITS CHARACTER AND ORIGIN -- TCHAKA’S ATTEMPTED ABOLITION OF THE RITE -- CURIOUS IDEA OF THE KAFFIRS, AND RESUMPTION OF THE CEREMONY -- A KAFFIR’S DREAD OF GRAY HAIRS -- IMMUNITIES AFTER UNDERGOING THE RITE -- NEW RECRUITS FOR REGIMENTS, AND THEIR VALUE TO THE KING -- THE CEREMONY INCUMBENT ON BOTH SEXES. Having glanced rapidly over the principal traits of Kaffir character, we will proceed to trace his life with somewhat more detail.