CHAP. IV. 
• GRIQUA TOWN. 
March 14. 
About four P.M. we had nearly a total eclipse 
of the sun, so that the planet Venus was perfectly 
visible for upwards of an hour. The natives were 
much astonished at the sight, especially when 
we explained the cause of it. Therm, before the 
eclipse 82 : after it 78. A great deal of liglitning 
appeared in the west, and afterwards all round 
the horizon ; and from eight to eleven, the time 
when I went to sleep, there were about thirty 
flashes in a minute. A little after midnight I was 
awoke by a tremendous peal of thunder imme- 
diately above the waggons, which was succeeded 
by many similar peals and a heavy fall of rain. 
The next morning was cool, the ground damp, 
and most articles in the waggons felt moist. 
