SOUTHERN AFRICA. 103 
highest em ploj merits, felt no degradation in associating with 
butchers, nor in bestowing the hand of his daughter on an at- 
torney who, for his mal-practices, had been pubhclj declared 
infamous by the Court of Justice ; but he w^ould have thought 
himself disgraced if his wife and daughter were deprived of 
their rank in the church. 
There are, however, as must be the case in every society, a 
number of worthy people in the colony, to Avhom the above 
observations do not apply : men, whose talents and informa- 
tion, propriety of conduct, and strict integrity, would command 
respect in any part of the world ; but the number of these is 
comparatively so small, as to make only an exception to the 
general character. I need scarcely observe, that these people 
met with that consideration and attention from the British 
government to Avhich they were entitled ; whilst those of the 
other class experienced the neglect and contempt they so 
justly deserved. 
Ilouse-rent, fuel, and clothing are all dear in Cape Town ; 
yet, I will be bold to say, there is no town nor city in all Eu- 
rope, where the mass of the people are better lodged or better 
clothed ; aud fire is less necessary here than in most parts of 
Europe. The keep of a horse in Cape Town was never less, 
under the English Government, than 25/. sterling a year, yet 
every butcher, baker, petty shopkeeper, and artificer, had his 
team of four, six, or eight horses and his chaise. It is true, 
his horses were lent out for hire one day, and drew himself and 
his family another ; but still it seemed inexplicable how they 
contrived to keep up an establishment so much beyond their 
