A GENERAL VIEW OF THE COLONY. 
71 
run, either in a north-westerly direction parallel to the strand, or 
south-westerly from the sea towards Table Mountain. These 
streets, though not paved, are kept always in excellent order, and 
derive an agreeable freshness from trees of oak and pinaster, planted 
here and there on either side. The houses are built of brick, and 
faced with a stucco of lime : they are decorated in front with cornices 
and many architectural ornaments, and frequently with figures both 
in high and low relief. In front of each house, and of the same 
length, is a paved platform, usually eight or ten feet wide, and 
raised, commonly, from two to four feet above the level of the 
street. It is ascended by steps, and has generally a seat at each end, 
as may be seen in the engraving * at the head of this chapter. This 
platform is called the Stoep (step) ; and here the inhabitants fre- 
quently walk or sit, in the cool of the evening, and often at other 
times, to enjoy the air, or to converse with passing friends. 
The roofs are flat, and nearly horizontal, having no greater in- 
clination than just sufficient to throw off the rain-water. They form 
a terrace very commodious for walking on, and are made with strong 
beams extending from wall to wall ; over which stout planks are laid, 
and upon these, a thin pavement of bricks, well covered with stucco. 
There is no other lime than that which is made by burning shells, 
chiefly muscles, which are collected along the sea-shore. The win- 
dows are very large ; but the panes of glass are small. Beams and 
floors of the teak-wood of India are not uncommon ; but the greatest 
part of the timber used in building, and, indeed, for every other pur- 
* This engt-aving represents a small part of Strand-street, as viewed from the house 
adjoining the Lutheran church, looking southward. It may be considered as showing the 
character of the ordinary buildings of the town ; but must not be taken as a specimen of 
the best houses. On the left are two with thatched roofs ; and in these the earlier style 
of building may be seen. The figure with two baskets suspended from the ends of a pole, 
exhibits the manner in which the Malays and slaves carry about for sale fruit, fish, vege- 
tables, and various goods. The opening by the side of the highest house, is Loop-street. 
The Devil's Mountain, seen at a great elevation above the tops of the houses, backs this 
view, but is omitted in the engraving. 
