326 TRAVELS IN 
source for supplying them with kelp or barilla ; and from the 
specification of a patent obtained in London, for freeing 
animal oils of their impurities, and the strong and offensive 
smell that train-oil in particular acquires, they endeavoured 
to reduce to practice this important discovery. The experi- 
ment, however, failed ; for though they succeeded in making 
soap, whose quality, in the most essential points might, per- 
haps, be fully as good as was desired, yet the smell was so 
disgusting that nobody would purchase it. Unluckily for 
them there came in, also, just at that time, a cargo of prize 
soap, which was not only more agreeable to the smell, but 
was sold at a rate lower than the Company could afford 
to manufacture theirs of train-oil. Being thus thwarted in 
all their views, they sold the whole concern to an English 
merchant, who was supposed to be turning it to a tolerably 
^ood account, when it was signified to him, by the present 
Dutch Government, that the exclusive privilege of fishing 
on the coasts of Africa, within the limits of the colony, was 
granted to a company of merchants residing in Amsterdam ; 
and, therefore, that he could not be allowed to continue the 
concern. 
DRIED TRUITS, 
Under this head the most important articles are almonds 
and raisins ; of which a (quantity might be raised sufficient 
for the consumption of all Europe. Many thousand acres of 
land, now lying waste, might be planted with vineyards, 
within siglit of 'J able Mountain. In like manner might the 
whole sea-coast, on both sides of Africa, be planted with 
