54: 
JOURNAL OF A 
both as to their height and general character, of the most pictiA- 
resque part of the mountains of Cumberland and Westmoreland. 
The descent into Stellenbosch is long and tedious, and we did not 
reach the landdrost's house till after sunset. The landdrost, Mr, 
Van Rhjneveld was absent, but we met with a hospitable reception 
from the famil}^ After tea, I accompanied Mr. Alexander to see 
some English friends. The moon shone bright, and the evening 
air was highly refreshing, after the heat of the day. 
13th. I rose early, and walked out into the village. Nothing can 
be more delightfiil than the shady avenues planted in every street, 
defending the inhabitants and their dwellings from the burning 
rays of the sun. The Erste Revier is a swift-flowing torrent, issuing 
from a glen in the mountains above the town, and its bed a vast 
assemblage of large stones and pebbles, forming an embankment 
or beach on each side, showing what force and extent the river as- 
sumes, when swollen by heavy rains in the hills. I walked about 
for nearly two hours, and was much entertained by many surround- 
ing objects, especiall}^ by the grotesque shapes of several hills and 
rocks in the grand chain. Returning, I stepped into the church, 
a plain building, in form of a cross, with an enormous door. It is 
furnished with chairs for the congregation, and a few pews for the 
men in office. An old organ adorns the west end. The land- 
drost's honse is a handsome mansion, with spacious and well-fur- 
nished rooms. Some of the largest oaks ] have seen in the colony 
overshadow its front. 
After breakfast, we proceeded to the house of a wealthy farmer, 
Mr. Van der Byl, who showed us his vineyards, wine-press, cellars, 
gardens, and other premises. The family received us with great hos- 
pitality. Our road lay through the waste, along the great ridge of 
mountains, and presented us wth beautiful scenery, especially wher- 
ever a farm-house, with its gardens and groves, furnished a fore- 
ground to the landscape. The next farm we visited ^vas Mr. Mey- 
burg's. The house and premises are well built, and the situation 
more pleasant than that we had just left. Our visit Avas but short, 
