VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
121 
After walking with our host through his garden-grounds and vine- 
yards, I spent some time in endeavouring to make an accurate 
sketch of the outhne of the whole chain, as seen from a field above 
the farm, but found the sun's heat almost intolerable. To exhibit, 
by a drawing, the characteristic features of a country, it is of most 
consequence, thjt the shape of its hills should be delineated with 
the strictest accuracy, and the features of the African ranges are too 
singular, jiot to attnict attention. The few sketches 1 have inserted 
in this work, may, I trust, be pionounceci scrupulously exact, as to 
outline, which is all the merit to which 1 lay any claim. 
"While we were at dinner, the infant daughter of a relation of the 
family, who had been long aihng, unexpectedly died in the nurse's 
arms. This event threw the ladies into great agitation, nor did Mr. 
Von Helsland's kind and consoling exhortations to resignation seem 
to have much effect. Tiiey all retired to their own rooms, and we 
were very sorry, not to be able to express our gratitude, both 
for the kindness and hospitality, with wliich we had been enter- 
tained, and for a considerable present of grapes, apples, dried peas 
and beans, fowls, tongues, and other provisions, which, by Mr. Von 
Helsland's orders, had been conveyed into the waggons, for our use. 
Mr. Von Helsland is a native of Flanders. Having spent the 
early part of his life at college, and travelled into various parts of 
Europe, he made several voyages to the East Indies and the Cape, 
as Captain of a Danish East-India-man, and, after a life of great 
activity and usefulness, settled in this country. He is a man of 
the most polished manners, speaks English fluently, and can con- 
verse in German, Danish, and Latin, with ease. The family spend 
the summer on his farm, but in winter reside at Capetown. 
About five o'clock in the afternoon, we took leave of our kind 
host, and leaving Mrs. Melville and her children to spend some 
time with the fannly, previous to her taking up her abode at Gna- 
denlhal, during Mr. Melville's absence, we left Bock Revier, forded 
the river Sonderend, and travelled, with a bright moon to light us 
on a good road, till ten at night, when, for the first time, we pitched 
R 
