HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



CHAPTER I. 



PORT ELIZABETH AND WALMER. 



Early ambitions realized — Voyage to South Africa — Cape Town and 

 Wynberg — Profusion of flowers— Port Elizabeth — Christmas deco- 

 rations — Public library — Malays — Walmer — Hottentot huts — Our 

 little house — Pretty gardens — Honey-suckers — Flowers of Walmer 

 Common — Wax-creeper — Ixias — Scarlet heath — Natal lilies — 

 "Upholstery flower" — Ticks— Commence ostrich-farming — Count- 

 ing the birds — A ride after an ostrich. 



In the year 1881, leaving our native land wrapped in 

 the cold fogs of November, my husband and I started 

 for South Africa; where ii was the intention of the 

 former to resume the occupation of ostrich -farming, 

 engaged in which he had already spent many years in 

 the Cape Colony. It was my first visit to South Africa, 

 and I was looking forward with great pleasure to the 

 realization of a very early wish ; for the adventures of 

 settlers in far-off* lands had always from childhood 

 been my favourite reading, and I had become firmly 

 convinced that a colonial life would suit me better 

 than any other. Nor have I been disappointed ; but, 



