GAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 47 
of £^^00,000. a year, I should consider it as well bestowed in pre- 
serving a colony, which might be so beneficial in the hands of the 
British, and would become so injurious to her trade in the hands 
of an enemy. 
While this book is going to the press, in 1808, 1 have the satisfac- 
tion of knowing that the Cape of Good Hope is again, and I hope 
will be for ever, in the possession of Great Britain. I only take notice 
of this to observe, that I consider the present situation of Europe 
as adding greatly to the value of this settlement. The insatiable 
ambition of Buonaparte, and his rooted antipathy to this country, 
have at length closed the whole Continent against us, and neces- 
sarily obliged us to seek in other places what we used to procure 
from it. Of these, the most important articles are grain and wine. 
The Cape would fully supply both, if the necessary measures were 
adopted there by the Government. A finer country for the produc- 
tion of grain does not exist, and a very small proportion only is yet 
in cultivation. Every species of grape, that has been tried, has suc- 
ceeded; and the only cause of the inferiority of the Cape Madeira, 
is the ignorance and negligence of the Dutch in making it. Their 
vineyards are ill managed, the grapes being permitted to touch the 
ground ; and they cut off the whole branch with the fruit, which 
they throw into the press, communicating by such means an un- 
pleasant flavour to the wine. Were the usual precautions taken, 
I have no doubt, that some kinds of wine now made in France, 
Portugal, and Germany, might be produced in this colony, and add 
greatly to our independence of those parts of the world, which have 
been permitted by Providence to fall un d er the iron sceptre of our im- 
placable enemy. If I had entertained any doubts of the value of the 
