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D ' U K B A N , POBT NATAL, l^ilOM THE BJiREA.
Tiiiv new settlement of Natal is yet in its infanoy: ere long it will probably become a ihriving and flourishing colony,
when its capabilities are better known, and the tide of emigration sets in ii^'ain, with the blessings of pcace, towards the
shores of South-eastern Africa,
A few years ago NaUl was in the hands of tlie Dutch emigrant farmers, who, after many desiieratu struggles ivitli
the Zulus, succeeded in settling themselves with their Hocks and waggons amongst the fertile valleys between the
Di-akeusberg and the Indian Ocean. "Whim, however, the British Goreniment took possession of Natal, the Dutch farmers
resisted its authority, and the battle of Congella was the result,
At length, the dissatisfied farmei-s, yoking their oxen once more to their waggons, steei-ed a course farther north, and
spveachng themselves amongst the nations beyond Dclagoa Bay, left Natal in the undisputed possession of the British Ci'own.
ITiere are two principal settlements within the colony of Natal: rictermaritzburg, whicrh was founded by the Dutch Boers
in 1838, and is situated about sixty miles inland, where the seat of government is at present established; and D'L'rban, or
Port Natal, the subject of the accompanying illustration, which Ls situated on tlie banks of a beautiful and ca])aciDUs
harbour, having a bar at its mouth, with sufficient water for vessels of two hundred tons to ]tiiss and repass at high tides.
The village or township of D'Urban is but of some four or five years' growth. The situation is charming and pie;turcs(pic,
on the shores of the harbour, about a mile and a half from the point where vessels lie to discharge and take in theii'
cargoes. At the point is a custom-house, with several dwellings and stores; and a romantic path is cut through the wood.s
leading to the settlement. In this path, girt with wild vines and brilliant flowers, it is no unusual occuri'cncc to meet the
recent traces of elephants, r>i- to catch a glimpse of the leopard's spotted hide, as it steals with a stifled " gnr r " beneath
the thick underwood.
To look ilown from the Berea hill, which rises about a coiiple of miles fi-om the settlement of D'Ui'ban, upon the
scattered cottages of the settlers, and the broad expanse of the lake-like harbour, with its islands and mangrove-skirted
banks, and the steep wooded bluff marking the entrance to the port, with the blue ocean beyond, is to gaz,e on a scene
of beauty and »i-ichness that is scarccly to be surpassed.
The present view is taken from the first i-ise of the Berea, looking immediately over the jjlain on which the township
is laid out. Tlic sui-f marks the bar. extending nearly across the eutrauce of the port: the jia-ssage is on the opjiosite
side, where there is deep water close alongside the bluff. About the centre of thi; harbour are some small islands
covered with mangrove-trees. At low water a great portion of the harbour becomcs di'y, au<l numerous flocks ol"
cranes, egrets, spoonbills, and cither atpuitic birds, are to lie seen fccdinir on the niud-banks.