1836.] Hints regarding the Cape of Good Hope. 132 



price. They should all have good stout leather shoes double 

 soled, calculated to be worn with worsted stockings ; they 

 cost at the Cape six shillings a pair. 



u The men should have at least three coarse flannel bannians 

 each, and three pair of flannel drawers, two pair cloth trow- 

 sers, two cloth jackets, oneof which should be very warm, say of 

 duffle, and both lined with serge or baize. If they will wear 

 around jacket and trowsers, you may buy them ready made 

 at the Cape ; but if they are to be of their own fashion, have 

 them made in India by all means, for the Cape tailors of any 

 class, will not condescend to work for them. Abundance of 

 good Bengal rice is to be had at the Cape cheap, but the 

 Madras natives do not like it, and your bringing a stock with 

 you, if not obliged to pay an extravagant freight, would be a 

 great indulgence to them, and afford you the means of 

 punishment for neglect of duty, by withholding it. 



" If you like curry ! bring a large supply of curry powder 

 with you, or make arrangements for having your stock re- 

 plenished occasionally ; what you buy at the Cape has no 

 flavour. Green ginger is not a bad thing to bring or have 

 sent ; it keeps well for many weeks, packed in a deal box in 

 dry river sand. Wax candles are better and cheaper at Ma- 

 dras, and, unless you can make up your mind to use tallow a 

 bring a supply, with pillar shades and bed-room candlesticks. 



" Few Indians like the Cape wines, but this may be attri- 

 buted to the trash they taste at the boarding houses ; very 

 nice madeira and pontac may be had from the wine mer- 

 chants ; the former from 18 to 25 dollars the half arm, the 

 latter from 22 to 30 dollars. Of European wines, if you 

 prefer them, you had better bring a stock ; what you can buy 

 in Cape Town are dear and not fine. You pay a duty on im- 

 porting wines of 10 per cent, on the value. Good cogniac brandy 

 may be bought there very reasonable. The Cape beer is very 

 pleasant, and (perhaps) in general preferred to Hodgson, and 

 much cheaper ; but " Hindoos" very often sigh for the old 

 malt ! A brewery has lately been established in Cape Town for 

 draught ale of malt and hop, and promises to answer admira- 

 bly; the price of a hogshead of it (Collison's) is £3-15. 

 Teas will now probably be as good and cheap as in India,, 



