[PIL&YS 
HOTTENTOT HOLLAND, WITH SIR LOWRY’S PASS, AND THE VILLAGE OF SOMERSET-WEST. 
The Field-coraetcy of Somerset includes all the farms of Hottentot Holland which are scattered at the foot of the 
mountains of the same name, together with the village of Somerset-West, which has a population of nearly two hundred 
persons. The situation of Somerset is remarkably picturesque: immediately at the foot of a range of magnificent and 
rugged mountains, over which is the highroad to the interior and the eastern frontier of the Colony, are scattered the 
white farm-houses, interspersed with groups of trees and enlivened by herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. On one side 
is the expanse of False Bay, with the bold precipice of Cape Hanglip; and, across the Bay, the eye rests upon the 
utmost verge of Africa, “ the Cape of Storms.” On the other side is an amphitheatre of mountains, embosoming in their 
warm and sheltered valleys some of the loveliest spots imaginable—substantial-looking Dutch mansions and farm-houses, 
built by the lordly burghers of former days, surrounded with long avenues of oak and pine. On one of these stately 
farms, once the residence of the Dutch governor Van der Stell, and now occupied by De Ileer Jacobus Theunissen, there 
are magnificent camphor-trees, originally imported from Batavia, excelling in size the largest forest oaks. It is about two 
miles from the village to the beach of Hottentot Holland, and about thirty-five to Cape Town. The road, or pass, leading 
over the mountain was completed under the able superintendence of the late Surveyor-General, the talented and energetic 
Lieutenant-Colonel Michell; and when opened in 1830 , it was called Sir Lowry’s Pass, in honour of its projector. Sir 
Lowry Cole, who was Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. 
