AFRICA. 5^ 
and this covering they make from a piece of 
the hide of an ox, appHed and (haped to the 
foot foon after the animal is killed, and while 
the hide is yet frefh. Thefe fandals are the 
only article of their drefs v/hich they make 
themfelves ; the reft is rhe bufmefs of the wo- 
men, who cut out and prepare their whole 
wardrobe. Though the equipment I have 
mentioned conftitute the every- day drefs of 
the planter, he has, however, a coat of hand- 
fome blue cloth, which he w^ears upon days of 
gala and ceremony. He has then alfo ftock- 
ings and fhoes, and is dreffed exadly like an 
European. But this finery never ma^kes its 
appearance but when he goes to the Cape ; 
and then, indeed, is not put on till h(2 arrives 
at the entrance of the tovv-n. 
It is commonly in tiiefe journeys that they 
purchafe fuch things as they may want to refit 
their v/ardrobe. There is, at the Cape, as well 
as in Paris and London, a fpecies of old-^clothes- 
men, who deal in commodities of this fort; 
and who, from their enormous profits, and the 
extortion they pra^tlfe, have obtained the name 
of Capfi'Stnoufe^ or Cape Jews, l^hefe traf- 
fickers contrive, at all times, to fell their goods 
E 4 'at 
4 
