VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. 37T 
side, in which several gentlemen's houses and plantations arc well 
contrasted with the rugged masses of rock in their neighbourhood, 
and the wild waste around them. Yet even this waste was glo- 
riously decorated with bushes of most luxuriant growth, chiefly of 
furze, now in full bloom, and both in the size and colour of its flowers, 
incomparably superior to that of Europe. Blackberry-bushes, 
likewise, which were first introduced as a rarity in a garden, have 
now become so plentiful, that they are considered as the worst of 
weeds, intruding themselves everywhere into gardens and planta- 
tions. The summits of some of the hills are crowned with groves 
of gum and cabbage-trees, but the havock made of the wood, with 
which this island was formerly clothed, has been such, that, com* 
paratively, but little of it is left. Formerly every passing ship sent 
men on shore to cut as much as they wanted. Of course no care 
was taken to prevent waste. The subsequent introduction of goats, 
which ran wild, and multiplied very fast, was most ruinous to the 
growth of young plants and sprouts. These creatures proved at last 
so great a nuisance, that they were hunted, and almost destroyed. 
There are no quadrupeds here, which may be called aborigines. 
Rats and mice have been brought hither by ships. Of other crea- 
tures, except birds and reptiles, we have no account. Scorpions 
and centipedes are said to have always abounded. 
The houses of the English settlers in St. Helena, are very dif- 
ferent in their appearance from those of the Dutch at the Cape. 
They are neat and cleanly, with lawns and plantations; and prove, 
that their possessors, whither richer or poorer, are directed by some 
good taste, and do not always first ask, Avhether what they build or 
plant, will bring in money, or afford too much pleasure or convenience 
to a neighbour, without gain or reward to themselves. 
The views on the western shore are equally interesting, though 
not so wild. Roseberry hill, the villa of Colonel Smith, is charm- 
ingly situated. A singular rock, from its shape, called the Friar, 
and giving name to a valley, presents itself between two huge 
ccc 
