AFRICA. 29 
had heard of a declaration of war, which the 
colony had learned from a French frigate. 
Next morning I went on fliore, and took the 
earlieft opportunity of paying my refpeds to 
thofe gentlemen to whom I had been recom- 
mended, and of delivering my letters, I was 
received with much politenefs^ and even with 
diftindion. Mr. Boers the hfcal, and Mr, 
Hacker, fliewed me every poffible mark of 
friendfliip ; and I was fenfible that I was not 
indebted for them to that ordinary politenefs, 
which in other places fubftitutes unmeaning 
grimace for the noble defire of obliging one's 
fellow-creature, and which is only a perfidious 
art employed to deceive with more facility the 
credulous fmcerity of a ftranger. They offered 
me all thofe fervices which my recommenda- 
tions, and their diftinguilhed rank, gave me 
a title to expedl. I depended upon them ; 
for I knew that I had to do with Dutch- 
men. 
I was impatient to be acquainted with this 
new country, to which I found myfelf tranf- 
ported as if in a dream. Every thing prefented 
itfelf to my view in the moft ftriking manner ; 
and I already meafured with my eyes thofe im- 
menfe 
