1810. 
THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
3 
from afar a range of faint blue mountains, at the northern end 
of which Table Mountain and Lions Head were very easy to be 
recognized by the pecuh'arity of their form. The weather became 
fine ; and the wind, which had continued to blow from the south-east, 
increased to a gale ; so that by noon we were within two leagues of 
the shore: and soon after getting under the lee of the mountains, the 
vessel was nearly becalmed, scarcely making any way through the 
water. This slow progress gave me a favourable opportunity for 
making several drawings, and for observing the remarkable cloud 
which covered the top of Table Mountain, resting upon it with 
all the appearance of a ponderous substance : every other part of the 
sky was perfectly clear, and the wind, which was evidently blowing 
there with great violence, seemed unable to dislodge it from its situa- 
tion. ' Its thin misty skirts no sooner rolled over the edge of the pre- 
cipice, than they were rarefied into air and vanished. The western 
part of Table Mountain, with its rocky precipitous side cleft in deep 
ravines, rose majestically out of the ocean. Between this and the 
mountains, which form the western side of Hout Bay (Wood 
Bay), stands the False Lioris Head, a mountain of subordinate 
elevation. The true Lion's Head is much higher than the False, but 
considerably lower than Table Mountain. 
As we advanced nearer along the shore, the mountains displayed 
an imposing grandeur, which mocked the littleness of human works : 
buildings were but white specks ; too small to add a feature to the 
scene ; too insignificant either to adorn or to disturb the magnificence 
of nature. We had left behind us the deep blue waters of the ocean, 
and, sheltered by the land, were sailing on the calm surface of 
waters of a greener tinge, from which the seals sometimes raised their 
dripping heads to view us as we passed. Baffling winds frequently 
impeded our progress, and put the sailors' patience to trial ; but the 
novelty of the scene, and the interesting objects before me, absorbed 
the whole of my attention. Eager to become acquainted with the 
details of what I saw, I long occupied myself in scrutinizing, with a 
telescope, every rock and ravine ; though as yet we were too far off 
to allow my impatient curiosity to be gratified. 
B 2 
