AFRICA, 199 
iTiOre extenfive, as the atmofphere was remark- 
ably pure. The Table mountain was perfedly 
vifible to the naked fight, and with my glafs I 
could perceive alfo the town. 
Nothing elevated my imagination fo much, 
when ralfed to this height, as feeing the houfes 
of the Cape, on which I looked down. I moved 
my glafs with great eagernefs over the mafs of 
buildings ; and felt as if I had gained a vldory 
every time I concluded that I could diftindly 
perceive the fituation of a particular houfe. 
Thofe of my friends engaged my fight longeft. 
They are, perhaps, at this moment," faid I, 
" thinking of me, and, by an involuntary and 
^' natural return, I am occupied only with 
" them. They are exprelTing their wiihes 
for the fuccefs of my enterprife ; imagining, 
perhaps, that I am far diftant and hid in ob- 
^'fcurity; while, in reality, I ambutjuft 
" exalted above the atmofphere which fur- 
^' rounds them," 
On my return to the plantation, I found a 
fplendid repaft waiting for me; fplendid, that 
is, for the inhabitants of the colony, and fuited 
to the prejudices of their vanity ; for thefe 
good and firaple fouls have, as well as others, 
O 4 iheir 
