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104 TRAVELS IN 
wound or kill him, he would be fubjeded td 
corporal punlfliment, or be banlfhed to the 
Ifle of Roben. Thefe wife laws certainly do 
great honour to the Dutch government ; but 
how many means are there to elude them ? 
The ifle of Roben is fituated at the diftance 
of two leagues in the fea, oppofite to Table 
Bay, and in fight of the city. This ifland, 
which takes its name from the great number 
of fea-dogs found near it, is entirely flat, and 
of very fraall extent. It is the Bicetre of the 
Cape. It is under the care of a corporal, who 
has the title of commander ; and the unfortu- 
nate wretches who are confined in it mufl: 
every day deliver a certain quantity of lime^ 
fl:one, which they dig from quarries. The reft 
of their time is employed in fifliing, or in cul- 
tivating fmall gardens, for which they receive 
tobacco and fome other indulgences. One 
cannot fee without aftonifliment in what a 
•vigorous manner greens of every kind grow 
here : cauliflowers above all attain to a mon- 
ftrous fize ; and, though reared amidft fand, 
their delicacy ftill furpaffes their bulk. Small 
violet figs, of an exquifite flavor, grow" here 
alfo. The wells of this fppt fupply its inha? 
bitants 
