1836.] Hints regarding the Cape of Good Hope. 130 



there nobody will assist him) at least at first ; and he may 

 consider himself extremely fortunate if, once having been 

 obliged to pay high, he can subsequently come down to a re- 

 duced scale of wages. 



" I am addressing myself to those whose purses have a bot- 

 tom to them ! and therefore assume, that, on the score of eco- 

 nomy and comfort, a family will endeavour to get a house of 

 their own as early as possible. If such are your objects, the 

 country, in my estimation, is preferable; and you may obtain 

 a capital house and grounds, on moderate terms, for a year or 

 18 months certain (about 100 dollars a month). If you wish to 

 be gay, my hints will not suit your purpose. For such an object 

 bring an active plain cook with you (it is difficult to get one at 

 the Cape on reasonable terms, and they are quite unmanage- 

 able*), who understands marketing, and is not likely to sub- 

 mit (long) to imposition. He is perhaps the person least 

 likely to be subject to it, after becoming acquainted with the 

 value of dollars, shillings, pence, half-pence, doublegees and 

 stivers ; that is in Cape Town, the competition in the market 

 being sufficient security. An active hard working matey, or 

 a lascar willing to turn his hand to any thing, would be a 

 capital standby; but bring none who are given to tippling; 

 temptation, opportunity and example are abundant. A tailor, 

 combining any other useful calling as dressing boy, child's 

 servant, or the like, would be found a treasure ; for work- 

 women are scarce and very expensive ; tailors (according to 

 Indian acceptation) are not to be had, and regular tailors are 

 extremely extravagant. 



" In taking your passage to the Cape, you will (in general) 

 find youself obliged to pay nearly the price of similar accom- 

 modation to England ! In such case, you have a right to 

 look for liberal treatment from the captain ; you ought not 



" * I heard of an instance, from undoubted authority, when a lady ex- 

 pecting a party to dinner, had ordered a certain number of dishes. At 

 the hour named, no dinner was ready, and, after repeated messages, 

 she went herself, and found the monarch of the kitchen, seated with 

 his legs on the dresser and a segar in his mouth, directing the dishing 

 up of about half what had being ordered, and when questioned on the 

 subject, replying very coolly that it was enough for the party !! S For 

 this you have no redress but to part company, and the successor will 

 prob ably do the same. 



