60 ARRIVE AT CAPE TOWN. 
than had been known for a long time previously, the 
thermometer at noon being as low as 48°. On passing 
the farm of Jacob Botha at the Kowp, on the 6th of 
November, the great chain of the Swartberg Moun- 
tains was completely covered with snow. Botha in- 
formed me that the frost had destroyed all his vege- 
tables, and that he had never before witnessed such 
a season during the long period of his residence on 
the spot. The zebras, which usually inhabited the 
summit of the mountain, had been frequently seen 
grazing at the base. 
Traversing the Karroo, which, from the heavy fall 
of rain, was now covered with the most luxuriant 
verdure, I passed through Worcester,* New Kloof, 
* This district contains three villages: one near the Hex River, 
called the town of Worcester, one near the Roodesands Kloof, called 
Tulbagh ; and one near the junction of the Olifant’s River, and Jan 
Dessel's River, named Clanwilliam. The town contains a splendid 
but unfinished mansion, built for the residence of the Landrost, 
at present occupied by the civil commissioner of the district, and 
twenty-eight houses, scattered over the township. It is rather 
pleasantly placed on an extensive plain, surrounded by several 
ranges of high mountains, the summits of which consist of huge 
masses of naked rocks, and during the cold season are frequently 
covered with snow. This town, situated in a straight line between the 
Hex River and Du Toits Kloof, is well supplied with a copious stream 
of water from the Hex River, by which the gardens and fields of the 
town are irrigated. The soil in and about the town is of a fertile clay, 
adapted for all agricultural purposes; and as irrigation is resorted to, 
it will generally bear two crops a year. The oak, the poplar, the pine, 
the willow, and particularly the weeping willow, here grow luxuriantly. 
The fruit trees of most climates answer well, the vines grow abun- 
dantly, and produce grapes of very good flavour. 
