30 
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
although the sun was very hot. Major Hippisley, who had accom- 
panied us, remained with me, while the General and Mr. Salt rode 
forward. By delaying, in order to get some specimens, we lost our 
companions, and, soon afterwards, our road ; by which means we 
went about a mile out of our way. On any other occasion I should 
have rejoiced at this accident, as it led us through a wooded 
country ; but the sun now became so powerful, that I regretted 
every thing which kept me exposed to its rays. A vineyard may 
in Italy be a beautiful object; but at the Cape nothing can be more 
unsightly. The vines are permitted to grow only to the height of 
three feet, and have all the appearance of a wood just cut down. 
This was only the beginning of summer, consequently the fruit 
was not ripe. To add to our vexation, the proprietor of the place 
was absent: I was therefore obliged to return to town without 
seeing his cellars, which are considered as the finest in the colony. 
October ^3. — ^Major Hippisley having hired two covered wag- 
gons, each drawn by eight horses, with a Hottentot for a driver, and 
a slave to assist him, Messrs. Eden, Salt, and I, assembled to break- 
fast this morning by six o'clock at General Hall's. About seven we 
mounted our carriages, and proceeded through the Cape Town on 
our intended expedition. These waggons are the only machines 
adapted to the roughness of the roads, as they have every advantage 
of strength, and difficulty of being overset. The Dutch ladies use 
them constantly ; but an EngHsh female would hardly bear the 
violent jolts, which perpetually occur from the gullies formed in 
the roads by the rains, which are never attempted to be mended by 
the colonists, until they become so large as to render a passage over 
them not only dangerous but impracticable. The five gentlemen, 
