VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 
343 
shapes, constituted the beauty of a Dutch garden. At this absurdity 
we Enghsh laugh, while we are committing a far greater outrage, 
in cruelly maiming horses, dogs, and cats, by cutting off their tails 
and ears, to improve their beauty ! 
After taking a dish of tea in the English fashion, we bid adieu to 
our hospitable host, and returned to town. The evening of this 
bright and very hot day, turned out so cold, that we were glad to 
get soon housed, and comfortably seated at Mrs. Disandt's fire-side. 
10th. I had along conversation at the Government-house with 
the Rev. Mr. Hough, and afterwards with his Excellency in his 
study. We dined with Mr. Sebastian Van Rhenen, and spent the 
rest of the day agreeably with our friends. 
12th. I dined with the Governor. A mail having arrived from 
England, much interesting intelligence was communicated. Cap- 
tain Forbes informed me, that the Zebra would come round to 
Table bay at the end of the week, and that I might entertain hopes 
of soon following the Brilliant. I then prepared to return to 
Groenekloof, where I intended patiently to wait, till sunmioned 
to go on board. 
14th. Having paid several short farewell-visits, we left Capetown 
in Mr. Slabbert's waggon, with ten horses in hand. 
When we arrived at the Drift, near the Riet Valley, seven oxen 
were lying dead on its bank. They belonged to a waggon with 
fourteen, which had attempted to cross the Drift, when, by advice 
of the farmer, we took the road along the beach, as mentioned above 
(p. 337)- The water being very deep, and the stream too powerful, 
the poor creatures were taken off their feet. The waggon was 
saved with difficulty, and seven of the fourteen oxen were drowned. 
The carcases had been skinned, and left to the wolves and jackals. 
Our horses took fright at the disgusting sight, and set off with us 
into the bushes, but the skilkef our driver soon brought them again 
into order. 
