SOUTHERN AFRICA. 71 
We ci'ofTed the mountains, over the Attaquas Pafs, on the 
1 8th of M?rch, and entered the Lange Kloof or Long Valley; 
very properly fo called, being a flip of level ground, from a 
mile to two miles in width, and about one hundred and fifty 
miles in length, hemmed in between two high ridges of moun- 
tains. Here we met Vv^ith, at almofl; every farm, an excellent 
vineyard of the Mufcatel and Perfian grape, both at this time 
fully ripe ; we obferved alfo extenfive plantations of tobacco, 
and a variety of fruit trees. The oranges were large and re- 
markably good. Notwithftanding the great plenty, and the good 
quality of the grapes, the inhabitants made little wine, and that 
little was execrably bad. The diftance, indeed, from a market, 
and the badnefs of the roads, hold out little encouragement to the 
farmer, either for extending the quantity or improving the qua- 
lity of this article. Raifms, being a more tranfportable com- 
modity, are more the object of their attention than wine. The 
making of thefe requires a very fimple procefs. The bunch of 
grapes is firft immerfed in a ftrong folution of wood aflies, and 
afterwards laid upon a ftage covered with rufh matting, until it 
be thoroughly dried. The bruifed grapes, the undergrowings^ 
the (talks and exprefled huflss, with the lees or dregs of new 
wine, are thrown together into large veflels until they ferment, 
and are then diftilled into a fort of brandy. From trafh like 
this is moft of the ardent fpirit manufactured which is fold in 
the Cape under the name of Brajide-wyn^ and which, from its 
cheapnefs and bad quality, not only poifons the bodies, but alfo 
corrupts the morals of the lower orders of the town, and the 
country farmers. 
I have 
