16 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



a sandy desert, sometimes through an extent of country 

 covered with the most beautiful shrubs and flowers, we 

 found ourselves immediately in front of the Table Mountain, 

 the summit of which was wrapped in a thick white cloud. 

 The whole range of neighbouring hills was also enveloped in 

 mist. When the sun had gained a certain height these mists 

 began to open and disunite, and rocks became visible through 

 the chasms. Portions of cloud then separated themselves 

 at short intervals from the main body, and moved slowly 

 and majestically away. Some, after rolling a considerable 

 distance down the mountain, remained stationary at its 

 sides; other fragments sailed off in a horizontal direction 

 and hung suspended over the neighbouring ravines and 

 valleys, and one beautiful wreath ascended upwards, and 

 gradually unfolding itself, became like a scarf of net-work 

 floating over a ground of blue. 



The whole Table Mountain stood out in bold relief ; its 

 flat and barren summit presented an awful picture of still- 

 ness and repose : still, an expression of calm magnificence 

 pervaded the scene, and imparted a soothing and tranquil- 

 lizing influence to the beholder. 



The first view of Cape Town was pleasing enough from 

 the extreme regularity of the streets and buildings, and 

 from its peculiar position, sheltered as it is by the Table 

 Mountain and other hills. Nothing very remarkable was 

 to be met with in our wanderings through the town at the 

 period I visited it. The houses were a mixture of Dutch 

 and English architecture, spacious, and comfortable; every- 

 thing was enormously dear, and paper currency (rixdollars) 

 the only medium of exchange. 



The parade ground in front of the town was very hand- 

 some, where a military band played every evening. A 

 curious assemblage of all tribes and nations were to be seen 

 then congregated English, merchants, Dutch Mynheers, 



