342 NAVIGATION. 



ward by southerly winds, which are frequently experienced 

 near the Cape, particularly in February and March. From 

 December to April, if a ship is bound for India without 

 touching at the Cape, she should get into lat. 37° or 38° 

 about the meridian of London ; and passing the Cape in 

 parallel 39°, more favourable winds are likely to be met with 

 than farther south. 



In passing the Bank of Aguilhas, the stream of current 

 setting westward is avoided by keeping to the southward of 

 37°. To the northward of this parallel south-east winds 

 prevail in the summer season, from December to April, — 

 which, it may be observed, is just the reverse of our sum- 

 mer. If a ship bound for Table Bay should be blown to llie 

 northward, the soundings between Saldanha Bay and Table 

 Bay prove a good guide, and are regular, extending several 

 leagues from the shore. The Table Mountain is so re- 

 markable that it cannot be mistaken : it is perfectly flat at 

 the top, and, being 3500 feet above the level of the sea, is 

 the highest land in that neighbourhood. The east and west 

 ends are nearly perpendicular. The land is high and un- 

 even from Table Mountain to the extremity of the Cape of 

 Good Hope. Table Bay is considered quite safe in sum- 

 mer, from October to April, and many ships touch there in 

 winter, although the risk of north-westerly gales blowing 

 into the bay with much violence and a high sea is very 

 great. In the summer months, when the Table Mountain 

 is covered with a white fleecy cloud, which is called the 

 Devil's table-cloth, it indicates a strong south-easter, for 

 which ships ought to prepare accordingly. When the 

 mountain is free from cloud, this gale (which is almost of 

 daily recurrence) will be mild ; and a gentle sea-breeze 

 blows in on the western side of the bay, when a fresh 

 south-east breeze prevails from the east side half across 

 during most of the day. The Dutch fixed upon the 10th 

 of May as the latest day for remaining in Table Bay. Cape 

 Town is a delightful resting-place either on the voyage out 

 or home. The old Dutch houses are large, commodious, 

 and clean. Most of the inhabitants take in passengers to 

 board at a moderate rate. Refreshments of all kinds are 

 plentiful. Horses and carriages are to be had, and most 

 people pay a visit to Constantia, where the celebrated vine 

 of that name is grown. The vine is a small bush, and the 



