78 
A SKETCH OF CAPE TOWN, 
in the towns, and consequently but few of that nation are seen there. 
In Cape Town the Enghsh are numerous, and are principally of the 
military and mercantile classes. Many situations of importance are 
filled by the native Dutch, in a manner creditable to themselves and 
advantageous to government. 
Justice continues to be administered according to the Dutch 
law, and causes are pleaded in that language in writing. Trials by 
jury, and oral pleading, are as yet unknown in these courts ; although 
the introduction of them, together with the English law modified ac- 
cording to local circumstances, would be no more than a very 
natural innovation, in a country now become permanently a British 
territory ; and would seem a measure justly due to the habits and 
feelings of the British portion of its inhabitants, whose numbers are 
now likely to become sufficiently important to claim for them the 
privilege of being tried by their own laws. 
The Fiscal, being the head of the police and the sitting magistrate, 
a great variety of business is daily transacted at his office. The Cape 
is also the seat of a Vice-admiralty court. Proclamations, and all 
orders and regulations of a civil or financial nature, are issued from 
the colonial secretary's office, and officially made known in the Cape 
Town Gazette, published every Saturday. 
This paper rarely contains any information, excepting that which 
may be derived from proclamations, official notices, and advertise- 
ments of auctions. It might, however, be rendered the vehicle of 
valuable knowledge to the colonists ; and it is much to be regretted 
that so ready an opportunity should have been hitherto neglected, of 
conveying to every part of the country, useful information, in the 
way of colonial improvement. 
The only money in general circulation, is small printed and 
countersigned pieces of paper, bearing value from the trifling 
sum of one schelling, or sixpence currency, upwards to five hun- 
dred rix-dollars each. The only current coin, are English penny- 
pieces, which here pass for the value of two pence, and are called 
dubbeltjes. Spanish dollars are used in Cape Town, rather as bul- 
lion than as coin ; their value varying according to the rate of ex- 
