452 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



of the heroes of the Peninsular War, and bears the marks of his activity 

 in those well-contested conflicts, in the loss of an arm. He showed 

 me over the apartments, which, however, are not now occupied, as he 

 was living at his country-seat. They appear convenient, and afford 

 from the windows a view of the government demesne, which is quite 

 pretty, planted as it is with fine old oaks ; part of it is kept as a public 

 walk, which the citizens frequent on holidays in large numbers. The 

 Cape station has never been a popular one, from the want of society ; 

 but of late years very many persons from India have made it a resort 

 for the recovery of their health, and in a measure supplied the defi- 

 ciency in this respect. The offices for the transaction of government 

 business are in the immediate neighbourhood of the government- 

 house, and within the precincts is also a college for the education 

 of the youths of the colony ; it has several professors, but I under- 

 stood all those who desire to have their children well educated send 

 them to England. 



The barracks are extensive, and well built, and have a large area 

 in front as a parade-ground. There are several other buildings going 

 up, for the accommodation of the troops and hospitals for the sick, all 

 handsome and well situated. I regret to say that as much cannot be 

 said for the town prison, nor for the buildings appropriated to the 

 police department, custom-house, and harbour-master's department: 

 all these bear the marks of what Cape Town was, and stand in strong 

 contrast to the modern improvements. 



Formerly the municipal government of Cape Town consisted of a 

 president, four members, the town treasurer, and a secretary. The 

 president was elected for two years, and was succeeded by the senior 

 member of the board. This board was dissolved, apparently for no 

 sufficient reason, for every one was satisfied with its usefulness in 

 controlling the various duties appertaining to a corporate body. 



The town is now divided into twelve districts, and each district 

 into four wards, over each of which there is a commissioner, and 

 four ward-masters, chosen by the people. The first form the upper 

 board, and the last the lower, and each have a chairman and deputy 

 chairman, who, among other duties, act as appraisers of property, 

 on which the taxes are assessed equal to three-quarter pence in the 

 pound. By the statistical tables published, it appears that the valua- 

 tion of property of Cape Town, reaches the sum of one million six 

 hundred and thirty-six thousand pounds. 



The municipal regulations now seem to be excellent, and are more 

 or less under military control. The police has been organized on the 



