4^ TRAVELS IN 
This melancholy falling is the more to be 
lamented, as the contagion has fpread through 
almoft every rtfidence about the Cape, which 
is in reality a very charming canton, tmbel- 
lifhed by cultivation, by its numerous vine- 
yards and pleaiant coun ry-houfes, it every 
where exhibits fo varied and delicious a pro- 
fped, that, were it occupied by other inhabit- 
ants, it would excite no fenfations but thofc 
of pleafure. 
I myfelf even, whom no interefted motives 
bad brought to the Cape, who had nothing to 
afk of them, and who had come into Africa 
for the fole purpofe of ftudying nature, was 
once fubjeded to the impertinence of their re- 
ceptions, and learned from experience of what 
it confided. The adventure is pleafant : I have 
often laughed at it with Boers, and fhall di- 
grefs for a moment to relate it. 
One day my friend took me to fee the fa- 
mous vineyard of Conftantia, and introduced 
me to the proprietor. We were received by 
him, not only with the fame attention and re- 
fpedful manner that all the inhabitants of the 
colony fhowed towards its principal maglftrates, 
but he was eager to lead us over the immenfe 
cellars, fo wide that the heavieft waggon might 
turn 
