SOUTHERN AFRICA. 77 
The extent of the forefts, beginning at Moflel Bay, and run- 
ning eaftward parallel to the fea-coaft, is at leaft two hundred 
and fifty Englifli miles, and the breadth from the feet of the 
mountains to the fea is ten, fifteen, and in fome places twenty, 
miles. A great part of this tradl is compofed of large and beau- 
tiful plains, interfered by numerous rivers, and abounding in 
lakes full of excellent fifh. The ground is well calculated either 
for pafturage or tillage, and capable of complete irrigation ; but, 
adds this gentleman, the farmers here, as well as in all other 
parts of the colony, are lazy beyond defcriptlon ; the grounds, 
held by each, being fufficient for a great number of induftrious 
families. He concludes his remarks by an opinion, that the flip 
of land, fituated between the firft chain of mountains and the 
fea coaft, and from Zwellendam to Algoa Bay, if well flocked 
with inhabitants, fo that each would be under the neceffity of 
labouring for a fubfiftence, would not only be able to furnifh 
a fupply of grain for the whole colony, but would afford alfo a 
furplus for exportation. 
Although I cannot exactly fubfcribe to this opinion, yet I am 
firmly perfuaded that, with the addition of the trad: of coun* 
try between the north range of mountains and the weft coaft, 
and from Saint Helena Bay to the Cape, the whole mafs of 
people within the prefent limits of the colony might be more 
comfortably fubfifted than they now are, and an abundance of 
corn and cattle, wine, and other neceflaries, over and above, for a 
garrifon of five thoufand men, and for a fleet containing an equal 
number of fouls. But in order to make the country produce this 
fupply, 
