56 
FROM BERMUDAS TO CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
and, once more afloat in all the pride of fresh paint and new sails, was brought round to 
Table Bay. Her arrival was the signal for a series of festivities, receptions, balls, &c., to 
which the prospect of spending the next three months upon the stormy and ice-bound waters 
of the Southern Ocean gave additional zest. This was a farewell to civilised life in its 
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPETOWN. 
most attractive form ; but before setting out upon our cruise, we had to return to Simons 
Bay to take in coal and other necessaries for our voyage. 
Some observations on the temperature of the water revealed the curious fact that Simons 
Bay, as well as the whole of False Bay, are alternately occupied by currents of warm and 
cold water according as the wind blows from a southerly or a northerly quarter. The warm 
current is probably a branch of the Agulhas Current, while the cold water must be a portion 
of the Antarctic Current, which is known to flow from the Southern Ocean towards the Cape. 
On calm nights the water in the bay was phosphorescent. Looking down from the deck, the 
THE ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY AT THE CAPE. 
fish collected about the ship could be easily traced by the long trail of light left behind 
them, and as they turned from side to side their bodies shone like polished silver. The 
catching and curing of fish, which are very abundant in False Bay, seem to be the staple 
industry of the few villages on its shores. During the time of our visit, the wide space 
of water between Cape Hangklip and the Cape of Good Hope was generally crowded with 
fishing-boats eagerly pursuing their trade. Another branch of industry carried on in this 
part of the world, and one which possesses greater novelty for the visitor from Europe is 
