CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
7 
if fond of plants, the infinite variety of species found close even to 
the town, would alFord him endless amusement; and if inclined 
to the charms of social intercourse, he might at this time have been 
gratified by mixing in a society perhaps equal to any in Eng- 
land, excepting that which is to be met with in the highly 
polished circles of our metropolis. 
The Dutch seem desirous generally to associate with the 
English, and when they find a person willing to do justice to 
their character and to conform to their manners, they seldom fail 
to cherish his acquaintance, and to treat him with distinguished 
attention. The best informed are perfectly sensible of the great 
improvements made in the colony by the English since they 
have had possession of it, and appear anxious, by placing their 
sons in our army and navy, and by marrying their daughters to 
our countrymen, to cement the bond of union that subsists 
between the two nations. In their domestic character there is 
blended so much urbanity and such an earnest desire to render 
life happy, that it makes them in general pleasant companions ; 
knd their habits of life, to a person with unprejudiced feelings 
for any particular system, are neither disagreeable nor to ^ certain 
degree difficult of adoption, 
The women of the Cape are most of them pretty and very 
pleasing in their manners ; and there is a freedom of intercourse 
allowed them in society which renders their company peculiarly 
attractive. In no part of the world are country excursions better 
conducted than in this colony. The climate, during a great part 
of the year, from the mildness of its temperature, is particularly 
adapted to parties of this description, and the lively spirit whiqU 
