THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 43 



above twenty miles to the Eaftward of the Cape Town. The '776. 



, '^ November, 



noufes are neat ; and, with the advantage of a rivulet which < >~.«j 



runs near, and the Oielter of fome large oaks, planted at its 

 lirft fettling, forms what may be called a rural profpecT: in 

 this defert country. There are fome vineyards and orchards 

 about the place, which, from their thriving appearance, 

 feem to indicate an excellent foil; though, perhaps, they 

 owe much to climate, as the air here has an uncommon 

 ferenity. 



I employed the next day in fearching for plants and in- Sunday tj. 

 feds about Stellenbofli, but had little fuccefs. Few plants 

 are in flower here at this feafon, and infedls but fcarce. I 

 examined the foil in feveral places, and found it to confift 

 of yellowifli clay, mixed with a good deal of fand. The 

 fides of the low hills, which appear brown, feem to be con- 

 llituted of a fort of ilone marie. 



We left Stellenbolh next morning, and foon arrived at the Monday ts. 

 houfc we had paflTed on Saturday ; the owner of which, Mr. 

 Cloeder, had fent us an invitation, the evening before, to 

 vifit him. This Gentleman entertained us with the greateft 

 hofpitality, and in a manner very different from what we 

 expeded. He received us with mufic; and a band alfo 

 played while we were at dinner; which, confidering the 

 fituation of the place, might be reckoned elegant. Fie 

 fliewed us his wine-cellars, his orchards, and vineyards; all 

 which, I muft own, infpired me with a wifli to know in 

 what manner thefe induftrious people could create fuch 

 plenty, in a fpot where, I believe, no other European na- 

 tion would have attempted to fettle. 



In the afternoon we croffed the country, and paffcd a few 

 plantations, oneof which feemed very confiderable, and was 



G 2 laid 



