Cape of Good Hope.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE, 31 



f 



The Deputy Port Captain, attended by the Health Officer, visits a 

 vessel on its arrival in harbour, to learn particulars ; it is his duty to assign 

 situations for anchoring and mooring ships, and to take care that the regu- 

 lations are duly observed. 



Provisions and Refreshments are abundant and at moderate prices, 

 consisting of beef, mutton, aud poultry, fruits of many lands, and excellent 

 vegetables. The seeds of the latter are often carried to India for presents, 

 or as an article of trade. The water, which is good, is brought to the 

 pier by pipes, where boats may lay and fill with a hose, or country boats 

 will bring water to the ship. Firewood is scarce and dear. Fish is abun- 

 dant in the town during fine weather. 



Coins. — Accounts are variously kept : occasionally the English mode 

 is adopted ; sometimes they are kept in Guilders or Florins of 20 Stivers, 

 or 320 Pennings ; also in Rix-dollars, divided thus : 



2 Stivers equal to............. ...1 Dubbeltjee. 



3 Dubbeltjees 1 Schilbng. 



8 Schillings 1 Rix-dullar. 



The Rue-dollar is a paper currency, generally reckoned at 3s. 4d., 

 but varying according to the quantity of specie in the Colony. There is 

 no metallic currency except English Penny-pieces. Bills on England, at 

 30 days" sight, are generally considered equal to cash, particularly Govern- 

 ment Bills. The following are the rates at which foreign coins pass : 





£ ,.d. 



Schil- Sti- 





ling^. Ters. 





.....at I 2 



0 or 



44 or 264 



Doubloon, 16 Spanish Dollars.... 



4 0 



0 ... 



160 ... 060 







0 ... 



80 ... 480 







6 ... 



19 ... li t 







6 ... 



75 ... 450 







0 ... 



M ... 96 







0 ... 



10 ... 60 







ii ... 



5 ... 30 







0 ... 



2 ... 12 







1 ... 



0 ... 1 



Paper Money. 













4 ... 



R ... 48 







4J... 



1 ... 6 



Weights and Measures. — The English are mostly used, except for 

 Wines. These are sold by the Aum and Leager. One Leager is 4 Aums, 

 or 3S8 Kannes. 



HOUT BAY has been pronounced the safest and most commodious 

 harbour in South Africa, except that of Saldanha, and described as being 

 14 miles from Cape Town, as affording beef, vegetables, and plenty of 

 water, with clear ground and good anchorage; but, in opposition to these 



