129 Hints regarding the Cape of Good Hope. [April 



and a dozen of cod-fish hooks, with a leaden weight of from 

 8 to 14 lb: an opportunity sometimes offers of good cod-fish- 

 ing on the bank L'Agullas, in from 35 to 70 fathoms water. 

 So much for equipment. 



ft A material point for early consideration is, what servants 

 you should take with you from Madras ; but it must be a 

 sine qua non, that religious prejudices are not to interfere with 

 the performance of such duties as you may require from them, 

 or with the acceptance of such provisions on board as are 

 available ; of course the master will seek to render the situa- 

 tion of his native servants as comfortable as possible, if from 

 no other motive, for his own interest, as he would have to send 

 them back if dissatisfied. As to the number for the voyage, 

 you will be best able to estimate, with reference to the 

 number and ages of your party ; but by no means bring 

 any men or women of delicate constitution or indolent ha- 

 bits ; I mean such as are likely to give up, under the first 

 encounter of the climate, &c. &c. which they will find greatly 

 different from what they have been accustomed to. 



" Natives of Madras are sadly " taken aback," on first going 

 to sea ; they become sea-sick, heartless, disgusted and use- 

 less ; but soon recover if taken care of. A well devil'd biscuit, 

 or bowl of hot pepper-water, or mulligatawny, sets them up 

 famously ; and if they find that you have provided for their 

 comfort, their good humour will in all probability return, and 

 you have willing and useful attendants ; but to effect this, 

 you must attend to some of their comforts hereafter noticed. 

 A good active Ayah, or cloth woman, who speaks English well, 

 will be found a most valuable servant, if not a fine lady, as all 

 the native female servants at the Cape are, who require high 

 wages, and will do little work, in the service of temporary 

 residents, particularly " Hindoos !' J who appear to be consi- 

 dered on all sides " fair game," (thanks to one or two Bahau- 

 dars, who gave out that the cost of a purchase should deter- 

 mine its quality). They (the Hindoos) are charged with having 

 spoiled the market, but I think without sufficient grounds, 

 for, on arrival at the Cape, if dependent on the place for ser- 

 vants, an Indian requires their services immediately, and is 

 obliged to submit to imposition (for, except he has friends. 



