1811. THE BATH-HOUSE. 9^ 
degree of knowledge far beyond that which he now possesses, or 
that which by some it may be imagined possible for the human mind 
ever to attain. It is alone by the use of this divine gift, that all 
our jxaQyio-iq, or true knowledge, in matters of science, has been 
obtained: but the wisest must admit that there are bounds by 
which the universe of ideas is limited ; and here, all must stop. The 
wild speculations and unfounded theories of those who go in search of 
knowledge without this for their guide, will surely, like the misty 
imagery of a dream dispelled by the morning light, vanish at the first 
dawn of the light of truth. 
No attempts have ever been made to ascertain whether this 
mountain, or any part of the surrounding country, produce metals 
worth extracting ; yet, until the experiment be made, it cannot be 
believed that so extensive a colony would not, in some way, repay 
its government the expenses of employing a practical mineralogist to 
investigate its products, and, by boring or mining in every variety of 
situation, to bring to light what may prove worthy of being called, 
its sleeping riches. At least, it is remarkable that the auri sacra fames 
has not stimulated individuals to search for profit below the surface ; 
and though their labours should not be rewarded with gold, some 
other useful substance might be discovered, which could equally well 
repay their trouble. 
The Bath-house stands close under the small flat hill already 
mentioned, and the water is conducted down to it by a covered 
channel. The building*, erected in the year 1797, consists only of 
* See the Vignette at the head of this chapter. This gives a representation of its 
front, or southern side, which has a fine view of the range of hills and mountains of 
which the Babi/lonsche-toren is the most remarkable. In the back ground, in the vignette, 
is seen a part of the hill from which the hot spring rises. The foreground consists only 
of rough uncultivated ground ; the art of ornamental gardening being quite unknown in 
the colony, urlless a few places in the immediate vicinity of Cape Town, should be allowed 
a pretension to it. The trees are young poplars, of the species already noticed as being 
common in this country ; and when they shall have attained a size capable of affording 
shade and shelter, this spot will certainly have a more picturesque appearance than it can 
at present boast of. 
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