SOUTHERN AFRICA. 391 
are great that the duties of it vvlll be negleded. This was the 
rock upon which the Dutch, in all their Eaft India fettlements, 
fplit. The appointments of their fervants were fo fmall, that 
thofe who held them could not live without cheating their em- 
ployers ; and this was carried on to fuch an extent, as to become 
a common obfervation that, in proportion as the Company's 
finances were impoverifhed, their fervants were enriched. 
The bufinefs of the Burgher Senate confifts in feeing that the 
ftreets be kept clean and in proper repair ; that no riuifance be 
thrown into the public avenues leading to the town ; that no 
encroachments be made on public property ; that no diforderly 
houfes be fulFered to remain ; no impofitions pradtifed on the 
public ; no falfe weights nor meafures ufed. They are au- 
thorized to regulate the prices of bread ; to enquire from time 
to time into the ftate of the harveft ; and to take precautions 
againft a fcarcity of corn. They are to devife meafures and 
fuggeft plans to Government that may feem proper and eifedive 
for keeping up a conftant fucceffion of coppice wood for fuel 
in the Cape diftridt. They are directed to take particular care 
that the tradefmen of the town, and more efpecially the fmiths 
and cartwrights, impofe not on the country boors in the prices 
of utenfils neceffary for carrying on the bufmefs of agriculture. 
They are to report fuch crimes, trefpaffes, and mifdemeanors, as 
come within their knowledge, to the Fifcal, who is the Chief 
Magiftrate of the police, and Attorney-General of the colony. 
It would be in vain to expe£l that fuch various and important 
duties fhould be faithfully fulfilled for a number of years with- 
out 
