CAPEOPGOODHOPE. 99 



The heat, however, in consequence of the position of the town, which is faced by the noonday 

 sun and walled in behind by naked mountains, is excessive. Tliis, added to the dust, caused 

 those who went on shore to keeji much within doors, so that Cape Town was found by the 

 officers of the expedition but a dull and stupid place. The streets are unpaved, and, conse- 

 quently, when the southeast gales, which prevail in midsummer, blow, the dust is raised in 

 clouds and deposited in drifts of sand along the sidewalks several inches in depth, which keeps 

 the street sweepers in constant occupation, who may be seen continually at work collecting the 

 dirt in heaps, to be carried away by the dirt carts. So general is the experience of this 

 nuisance from the dust that the male, as well as the female inhabitants, of all classes, are in the 

 practice of wearing veils attached to their hats. The northeastern winds, which prove in 

 raising the dust of such discomfort to the residents of Cape Town, prevail during midsummer, 

 and their approach is always indicated by the appearance of a dense white cloud, which settles 

 upon the summit of Table Mountain, therefore called the Table Cloth, and remains there until 

 the gale subsides. These winds blow with great violence, sweeping along the land east of Table 

 Mountain. If it were not for the perfect smoothness of the water in Table Bay, vessels would 

 not be able to hold to their anchors during these southeasterly gales, of which two were experienced 

 in the course of seven days, while the Mississippi was lying at Cape Town. Such is the severity 

 of these winds that all business in the harbor is suspended during their height. 



The town seemed to be in a highly prosperous condition, business of every kind was flourish- 

 ing, and there was a general appearance of affluence among the government oflicials, and the 

 high rents, among other indications, show the prosperous condition of trade. Handsome 

 equipages are constantly seen in the streets, and the prosperity is so universal that even the 

 lowest classes are hardly known to suffer from want. The Cape of G-ood Hope is of great 

 commercial importance to Great Britain as a convenient rendezvous for her cruisers stationed in 

 the neighborhood, and as a stopping place for vessels bound to and from the Indian Ocean. 

 Excellent water, fresh provisions, fruit and other necessaries can be obtained in any quantity 

 and at reasonable prices. Wood is scarce, but almost every description of article usually needed 

 by vessels may be procured from the numerous well stocked stores and warehouses at Cape 

 Town. Live stock can be readily obtained, bullocks at £6 per head and sheep at 15 shillings. 

 The Mississippi was supplied with twelve of the former and eighteen of the latter at these prices. 



Since the abolition of slavery in the British colonies the agricultural interests of the Cape 

 have suffered, and although the commerce of some few of the colonial ports continues thriving, 

 as, for examjjle, that of Cape Town, the interior of the country has declined in prosperity, there 

 being at present but few examples of prosperous farming, in consequence of a want of laborers. 

 The agricultural condition of the country has also suffered from the effects of the war carried 

 on between the British colonists and the Caffres, which, although it has enriched the merchants 

 and tradesmen by the large expenditure of public money, has impoverished the farmers by 

 depriving them of the necessary laborers, and by unsettling the tranquillity of the country. 

 The consequence has been that many of the farms have been allowed to run to waste, and though 

 the soil is capable of producing Indian corn, wheat, barley, oats, and several other descriptions 

 of grain, such has been the unfavorable influence of the cause alluded to that the home 

 consumption of these products is not fully provided for. There are, however, some articles 

 produced for exportation, among which may be enumerated wine, hides, tallow and wool. The 

 farming is chiefly of a grazing character, and vast herds of cattle, .sheep, horses and mules are 



