222 Voyage of the Novara. 



When we reached the highest point of the pass we found a 

 strong' south-east wind blowino^. The thermometer marked 55" 

 F., and when plunged in a spring that issued from the moun- 

 tain close at hand, 48°. South-east winds are especially 

 prevalent here, particularly in summer, when they frequently 

 cause serious damage ; hence all the upper branches of the 

 trees incline to the north-west 



We now came to the finest bridge in the country, named 

 Darling Bridge, after, a late governor, which is thrown across 

 the broad stream called by the Dutch, Breede River, and 

 by the English, Broad River, a frequent source of error. The 

 English colonists are bent upon driving out the Dutch names 

 of rivers and localities, and supplying them with new names of 

 English origin. The Dutch, however, hold on obstinately to 

 the names they have been accustomed to, and continue to use 

 the ancient nomenclature. 



In the neighbourhood of Darling Bridge is a farm where the 

 traveller can be comfortably accommodated, and from which, 

 being a post-station, letters can be forwarded to all parts of the 

 country. It has regular communication with the rest of the 

 colony three times a week. The vehicle, however, in which 

 the letters and packets are forwarded, in consequence of the 

 wretched roads in the interior, and with the view of expediting 

 the transmission of mail matter, is simply a light, open, 

 eminently uncomfortable, two-wheel waggon, in which but one 

 passenger can be taken each trip. Day and night, up hill 

 and down dale, it continues its journey, changing driver and 



