210 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



believes that the stone had been thrown down and broken many 

 years ago, probably by a native shepherd, as pieces of it were black 

 and had evidently been heated in a fire to roast meat on, as is the 

 custom with Hottentots. 



The pieces of the stone were brought to the homestead, and have 

 remained there ever since until a few weeks ago, when they were 

 most generously presented to the South African Museum by Messrs. 

 Murray Brothers, of Quaggasfontein. 



The stone shows the coat of arms, which is a very simple one. I 

 have not been able as yet to trace the arms of van Plettenberg, but 

 I have no doubt that the shield is his ; the second half of the date 78 

 is plainly shown, and also a portion of the name of the Governor. 



II. — Post-Office Stone in the Castle Wall. 



My attention has recently been drawn to an inscribed stone built 

 up in the outer wall of the Castle. It is about 10 feet above the 

 level of the grassy glacis on the bastion, facing due west to 

 the right-hand side of the main gateway. The stone is so placed 

 that the principal inscription is upside down, so that it was evidently 

 merely used to assist in forming the wall of the Castle, and not with 

 a view to the preservation of the inscription. 



There can be little doubt that the stone has been in this position 

 since the original building of the Castle, which was begun in 1666 

 and finished in 1679. 



My attention was first drawn to the existence of the stone by 

 Major H. Sutton, of the Grenadier Guards, who has lately been 

 occupying a position on the staff in Cape Town ; and I am indebted 

 to Mr. H. Amon, of the Army Pay Department, for the very 

 clear and excellent photograph of the stone here reproduced. The 

 inscriptions appear to me as follows : — 



JOHN • EOBEETS. 



COMMAVNDEE • OF 



THE • LESSEE . JAMES. 



AE : Y E • 8 1 ? DECEM : DE : Y E 



26 : 1622 + LOVK . WITH . THIS 



LINE . FOE LETEEES 



HENE MANC. 



