448 CAPE OP GOOD HOPE. 



of the fishermen was desired to come on board, and after he had satis- 

 fied me that some reliance might be placed in him as a pilot, he was 

 retained with us. Under his guidance we stood on, and as the fog 

 began to break away reached our anchorage, having passed close to 

 the lighthouse and Green Point, the western point of Table Bay. 

 The captain of the port, Commander Bance, R. N., boarded us soon 

 after we had anchored. I was glad to see this gentleman, to whom 

 I felt under obligations, for civilities and kindness shown me some 

 eighteen years previously, during a cruise off the coast of Peru. 



An officer was despatched by me to call upon, and report our arrival 

 to Sir George Thomas Napier, governor of the colony. 



The falling of the ball at the Royal Observatory afforded us an 

 opportunity for comparing the time as shown by our chronometers 

 with that of the Cape. Of this we took advantage, and found that 

 our time-keepers had performed well. 



Much to my regret, our consul at this place, Isaac Chase, Esq., 

 was confined to his house by sickness. I anticipated detention from 

 this cause ; but on visiting him at his residence on Green Point, I was 

 informed by him that he had already made arrangements through the 

 house of Bordelaise, Thompson & Pillars, for supplying all our wants 

 as soon as possible. 



The view of Cape Town and its vicinity from the anchorage, is 

 remarkable, and the whole seems novel. Directly in its rear rise the 

 perpendicular sides of Table Mountain, while on either hand are seen 

 the crags of the Lion's Head and Devil's Peak ; the former usually 

 overhung by a large cloud, which often covers the whole town with 

 its broad shadow. These mountains are composed of a dark reddish- 

 gray sandstone, and excepting immediately at their base, and close 

 to the rear of the town, show but little signs of vegetation. Here and 

 there pretty straw-coloured cottages are scattered among the foliage. 



The anchorage, which is at some distance from the beach, was, at 

 the time of our arrival, occupied by a large number of vessels, which 

 somewhat surprised me, for at this season of the year the bay is 

 often visited by northers, which have in former years done much 

 damage, and caused the loss of many lives. I was informed, how- 

 ever, that but little apprehension is now felt on their account, for 

 ships are at the present time well provided with chain cables, and can 

 hold their ground. Two quays extend from the beach into the bay, 

 affording facility to lighters to discharge and take in their cargoes at 

 all times of the tide. 



The town itself shows many traces of its original occupants. The 



