72 
A SKETCH OF CAPE TOWN, 
pose, is the Geel-Jiout* (Yellow-wood), and the Stink-hout -\ (Stink- 
wood). The latter is a handsome wood, and resembles mahogany, 
both in color and quality. Chairs, tables, and other furniture, are 
made of it: though a preference is given to European goods; and 
these are to be seen in the houses of the more opulent. The yellow- 
wood is not unlike deal, but is inferior to it, as possessing no resin- 
ous quality. 
On account of the mildness of the Cape winters, fire-places are 
nowhere seen, excepting in the kitchens. Within, the houses have, 
to an eye accustomed to the elegant decorations and furniture of 
an English apartment, the appearance of a want of comfort ; and, not 
having a plaistered ceiling, the bare joists and floor above, give them 
the look of an unfinished building : but the loftiness and size of the 
rooms render them respectable, and contribute greatly to their cool- 
ness in the summer. The houses, even of the poorer class of inha- 
bitants, have, outwardly, a neat and architectural form. Carpets are 
seldom used ; and the reason assigned for this is, that they afford, in 
this, as in all warm climates, a harbour to insects. 
It is remarkable, that one of the finest situations in the town, is 
occupied by buildings of the most inferior description : the beach, with 
a full view of the bay and shipping, would seem to be a site worthy of 
some elegant houses, and of a handsome terrace ; which, being the 
first objects to meet the eye of a stranger on entering the bay, would 
considerably strengthen the favourable impression of the respect- 
ability of the town. 
There are two churches ; one for the Reformed or Calvinistic 
* From two species of Podocarpus, one of which is the Taxus elongata of Linn. 
■j- Laurus bullata. B. Catal. Geog. 5^09. Folia longius petiolata ovata acuminata, 
bulla in axillis venarum suhtiis apertd : racemi forum foliis hreviores. 
Our present Under-secretary to the Admirahy, who, it seems, aspires at being thought 
a botanist, is lather unlucky in the display he makes of his knowledge and learning : he 
says — 
" The stinkhout is the native oak of Afiica, and, I believe, the only species found on 
" that continent. It may, therefore, not improperly be called the Qiiercus Africana,'" — 
Barrow's Travels in Southern Africa, p, 134. 
He might with equal propriety tell us, that the Walnut is a species of Plum, and that 
" it might, therefore, not improperly be called" Primus Barro'wiana, 
