422 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



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, however, 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 

 houses, with their prim little stoops, porches, and gables to the street, 

 reminding me strongly of those built by the early settlers of New York 

 and Albany. But few of the streets have any sidewalks, and many 

 of them are not paved at all, causing them, in consequence of the arid 

 climate, to be ankle-deep in dust. Nine-tenths of the inhabitants still 

 retain a Dutch look, and many of them are unable to speak any other 

 than their original language, while to a large number of them the 

 epithet "boors," so commonly bestowed, is quite applicable. The 

 town is laid out with regularity, many of the streets crossing each 

 other at right angles, and some are of respectable width. Rows of 

 oak, poplar, and pine trees line the sides of the principal avenues. 

 Many contain shops, which are well supplied with the usual varieties 

 of European goods. Roses and vines are cultivated in front of the 



