SOUTHERN AFRICA. 105 
would seem to be an unfair assessment, as the richest and the 
poorest inhabitant, the man with a large house and he who 
possesses only a cottage, are liable to the same contribution ; 
but it is presumed that every house, great or small, has its 
kitchen fire-place and no other. The amount of this assess- 
ment is about 5200 rix dollars, which, at the above rate, cor- 
responds very nearly with the number of houses in the town. 
They are not subject to any tythes or church-rates whatsoever, 
towards the maintenance of the clergy ; these being paid in 
the most liberal manner out of the treasury of Government. 
Nor is any demand made upon them for the support of the 
poor. The very few that, through age or infirmities, are un- 
able to maintain themselves, are supported out of the super- 
fluities of the church. Where the mere articles of eating and 
drinking are so reasonably procured as in the Cape, it is no 
great degree of charity for the rich to support their poor re- 
lations, and, accordingly, it is the common practice of the 
country. Those who come under the denomination of poor 
are, for the most part, emancipated slaves, who may not have 
the benefit of such relations. Nor does the church provide 
for such on uncertain grounds. Every person manumitting 
a slave must pay to the church fifty rix dollars or ten pounds, 
and at the same time give security that such slave shall 
not become burdensome to the church for a certain number 
of years. 
The j)olice of the Town is committed to the management 
of a board consistins: of six bur":hers, called the Burp-'ier 
Senate. The functions of this board are various and im- 
VOL. II. p 
