26 
cloud is regulated probably by various circumstances ; among 
others, by the strength of the wind and the temperature of the 
air in the Table Valley. The influence of the latter is to be 
inferred from the fact, that though the cloud never descends 
farther than half way into the hot parched amphitheatre of 
Capetown, you may observe it on the side of Camp’s Bay 
rolling down in immense volumes to the very sea, over which 
it sometimes stretches farther than the eye can follow it. 
“ I do not know any thing more singular than the aspect 
of this cloud. It is continually rushing down to a certain 
point on the side of the mountain, and there vanishing. 
Fleeces are seen, from time to time, torn from its skirts by 
the strength of the wind, floating and whirling, as it were, 
in a vortex over the town, and then gradually dissolving away. 
But the main body remains, as if nailed to the mountain, and 
bids defiance to the utmost efforts of the gale. 
* Numerous batteries have been erected for the defence of 
Capetown and its anchorage from hostile attacks. The 
distance along the shore, from the mouth of the Salt River 
to the extremity of Green Point, is about three miles, the 
town standing in the centre; and a line, drawn between these 
two points, would include the principal part of the anchoring 
ground, 
“ The mouth of the Salt River is protected by Craig's 
Battery, with six eighteen-pounders, mounted en barbette. 
Six hundred yards nearer the town, stands Fort-Knocke, a 
strong well-finished star redoubt, surrounded by a palisaded 
ditch, with a few pieces of heavy cannon, chiefly for the pur- 
pose of scouring the beach. This is the point from which 
the lines take their departure. The land-lines extend about 
half a mile up the acclivity of the Devil's Hill, and, on their 
way; connect three square redoubts, from which a cross fire 
can be maintained with Fort-Knocke. But the chief annoy- 
ance to an etemy approaching by land, would be from three 
blockhouses and a redoubt, erected high up on the face of 
the hill, which support each other, and overlook every 
avenue to the lines. The sea-lines sweep along the strand, 
as far as the castle, a distance of five or seven hundred yards. 
