BANGHOEK. — STELLENBOSCH. 
145 
place, the name of which is Banghoek, appeared a most delightful 
spot ; and being in many parts quite woody, the scenery is extremely 
beautiful and picturesque, and capable of affording some charming 
studies for the landscape painter ; who could not fail to improve in 
his art by the imitation of those wild beauties, such as nature here 
presents. 
The road leading down a long descent, seemed in most places 
to consist of pure clay, as we judged from its slipperiness, much 
increased by the rain which fell during the afternoon. As we 
rode on, the darkness of night closed over us : we were often 
doubtful of the way, till occasional flashes of lightning showed us the 
road. At last, about seven o'clock, we reached Stellenbosch, where 
we took up our quarters at the house of a gentleman of the name of 
Morel, a particular friend of my companion. 
21st. During the intervals between the showers, 1 walked out 
to view the town. Stellenbosch, so named in 1670*, after its 
founder. Governor Van der Stell, is a place of much greater extent 
and importance than any of the other villages, and consists of a 
number of streets intersecting each other at right angles. A great 
part, however, of the space comprehended in the size of the town, 
was occupied by gardens, which, with an avenue of trees planted 
along almost every street, produced a cool and pleasing effect. 
Many of the houses were not inferior to those of Cape Town ; their 
appearance was neat and clean, and gave altogether the idea of an 
agreeable and cheerful place of abode. A few years previous to 
our visit, a great part of the town was destroyed by fire ; but from 
so distressing an occurrence resulted one advantage, that the original 
thatched cottages were now replaced by buildings of a better style 
of architecture. At the lower end of the principal street, is a 
spacious military parade ; at the upper end, stands the church, built 
in 1722. X This edifice, is represented by the vignette at the head of 
* Thunberg's Travels. f In the year 1803. 
X According to Lichtentein. 
