104 
JOURN^AL OF A 
fast with Mr. Alexander into his woods, up the mountain. They 
consist of oak, chesnut, and witte-boom. We were engaged in a 
discussion on affairs of our establishments in this country. After 
breakfast, I went with him and his lady to town, where I found 
an invitation from the Governor to come and spend a few days with 
him at Newlands. My good friend, Mr. Hancke, accompanied 
me, but I w^asfar from well, and could not much enjoy the kind- 
ness and hospitality I experienced. Some medicine, however, 
relieved me. 
17th. I rose, considerably recovered, and walked before break- 
fast into the gardens, which are laid out in the Dutch style, with 
long avenues, covered walks, and square compartments surrounded 
with high trees, enclosing orchards and kitchen-gardens. The 
principal walks are made with a vermillion-coloured iron-stone, 
beat into gravel, or brought in that state from the mountains. Near 
the houses, are groves of oaks, planted in quincunx, and a labyrinth 
of shady paths intersecting each other. The house is large, with 
good rooms, and fitted up in the English taste. Looking towards 
it from the garden, Table-Mountain and the Devil's hill form a 
noble back-ground, being also here much more picturesque in their 
form, than on the town-side. After breakfast, Captain Cloete, the 
Governor's Aid-de-camp, walked with me all over the grounds. His 
Excellency asked me to ride with him, but feeling yet somewhat fe- 
verish, I was obliged to decline it. When left alone, I took another 
gentle stroll into the wild wood under the Table-Mountain, and 
examined, or I should rather say, admired, some curious trees and 
plants, knowing nothing of the names of either genus or species. 
The witte-boom is used for fuel, being unfit for building, furniture, 
or implements of husbandry. 
Mean-while signals, made at the signal-house on the Devil's hill, 
and shortly after a dispatch, announced the arrival of a Dutch ship 
of war, with the Governor ofBatavia, Baron de Capelle, on board. 
The Governor was therefore again obliged to postpone his intended 
