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W Y N B E R G .
THE Colony of the Cape of Good Hope is of very great extent, and contains every variety of soil, from the richest
plain to the n-ildest anci most inaccessible mountain-ranges, and vast tracts of Karroo, or desei't land, which arc totally
unfit for ciUtivatiou, and, in many places, almost destitute of vegetation. The climate tlirou^hout the Colony is universally
fine, and extremely salubrious and healthy the only drawbacks being the prevalence of violent south-easterly gales during
t h e summer months ; whicli. however, are more felt on the coast than beyond, the first range of mountains, where the
climate is remarkably good. In consequence of this, the Cai)e has long been the celebrated resort of East Indian invalids,
who come thither to recruit themselves after suffering the enervating effects of a tropical climate, The favourite aliode
of these Indian visitoi^ is the village of Wyiiberg—the "sweet Auburn" of South Africa—a chai-miug s]iot, about seven
miles from Cape Town, with shady groves, rich gardens, and the most enchanting scenery on all sides. The neighbourhood
is studded with handsome villas aud cottages, half hid beneath avenues of oak and pine. The walks and rides about
W y n b e r g are magnificent. The noble peaks and precipices of Table Mountain rise abi-uptly from its wealth of groves aud
gardens, and cast a broad shadow over them, so that they arc cool and pleasant during the hottest afternoons of
summer.
I n the distance is Constantia Mountain, on the slope of which are tlie three celebrated farms which produce the Constantia
wine, so greatly esteemed in all parts of tbe world. The Dutch Reformed Church and the English Church are
pleasing objects iii the landscape at Wynberg; and beyond, to the right, is the noble exi)anse of False Bay, with tbe
hills of Muisemberg, A stream of cool sea air, often accompanied with masses of white vapour, sets in across False Bay
towards Table Mouiitaiu during the summer -months, which renders Wynberg much cooler than other portions of the Cape
cUstrict. In leaving Cape Town, the diffei'ence of climate is felt almost instantaneously on rounding the angle of the
mountain, when the rider suddenly exchanges the suffocating heat of the northern side of Table Mountain, beneath which
Cape Town is situated, for the cool and invigorating air that meets him fi'om the opposite Bay.
Tlie adjoining view is taken fi-om the top of the hill before entering the vUlage, looking towards Constantia. The
building on the right is the Schoolhouse, and bejond are seen the churches, above a belt of pines. It need hardly be
said tliat Wynberg is the favourite resort for the eque.strians and pic-nic parties from Cape Towu, besides containing,
together with the village of Rondebosch, the country I'esidences of many of the' principal inhabitants.