AND GENERAL VIEW OF THE COLONY. 
79 
change. Accounts are kept in rix-dollars, schellings, and stivers j 
although the value of estates and possessions is often rated in 
guilders, three of which make a rix-dollar. Six stivers are equal to 
one schelling, and eight schellings to one rix-dollar or four shillings 
currency ; but the value of this currency is excessively reduced by 
the rate of exchange, which, in 1810, was 33 per cent, in favour of 
England; and has, since that time, gradually risen to above 120. 
This enormous premium for bills on England, is attributable to the 
want of exportable colonial produce ; wine being the only staple com- 
modity, excepting a few hides, some whale-oil, and an inconsiderable 
quantity of ivory, ostrich feathers, gum-aloes, argol, and a few other 
articles of little weight in the scale of general commerce. The 
islands of St. Helena and Mauritius take from the colony constant 
and large supplies of live-stock, wine, grain, and various provisions. 
The consumption at the Cape, of goods of British manufacture, on 
which there is a duty of 3 per cent., is to a considerable amount ; 
but the high price at which they are sold is the necessary and natural 
consequence of the high rate of exchange, nor can it be otherwise, 
till the aggregate value of the exports shall approximate, far more 
than at present, to that of the imports. The usual mode by which 
the merchants effect the sale of their investments, is public auction ; 
and in this manner estates also, and property of every description 
are sold ; consequently vendues or auctions happen daily, and often 
several in a day. 
The price of provisions is, comparatively with England, exceed- 
ingly low ; labour, house-rent, and fire-wood, constitute a large pro- 
portion of the expenses of living at Cape Town. Coals are here 
unknown, except by small quantities, sometimes landed from the 
ships. 
The town is plentifully supplied with fish, of which a great 
variety are caught in the surrounding sea ; fresh- water fish, however, 
is so rare, that I do not recollect having seen at table any, except 
eels ; and these were regarded as a curiosity. 
Fruit and vegetables are abundant and cheap ; of the former the 
most common are oranges, lemons, grapes, melons, apples, pears, 
