102 
SOUTHEKN AFKICA. 
with which their possessors were everywhere 
working to amend the damages, and restore the 
appearance of peace and plenty. The farms 
seemed smaller in size here than elsewhere 
through the district, although richer in soil. 
Wheat, oats, maize, potatoes, barley, beans, and 
other plants were flourishing on all sides; while 
the road, by which we crossed the yalley, was 
over-hung by large peach and quince trees — 
other fruit also growing around. 
Quitting this beautiful spot, and crossing the 
bed of the Blue Krantz river, we ascended a 
steep hill; and, after a pleasant ride of a few 
miles across the townlands, we reached the little 
village of Bathurst, the belfry of whose unpre- 
tending church stands, as a prominent land- 
mark, in the centre. 
At first sight, the arrangement of this place 
appeared disorderly and irregular ; but, on closer 
acquaintance and inspection, we found this to 
arise from the alleys or lanes of the village be- 
ing all covered with grass. The hedge-rows 
were formed of fruit-trees; the little gardens 
were neatly kept, and full of flowers ; the jas- 
mine and creeping clematis, everywhere sup- 
plied the places, which, in England, are filled 
by the woodbine, sweetbriar, and dog-rose. 
Each time, afterwards, that we beheld this 
quiet little spot, the impression more forcibly 
