'77=. difcerned the colony of Hottentot Holland, and the moun- November. * •
tains about Stellenbofch ; and on this fide we were delighted
with a number of plantations infulated by the vaft
heath, and finely contrafting their verdure with the reft of
the country: Among them we diftinguifhed Conftantia,
famous in the annals of modern epicures. After a flay of
two hours, finding the air very cold and lharp on the
mountain, we defcended, very well pleafed with our ex-
curfion, and amply rewarded for the toilfome part of it,
by the beauty and extent of the profpedt.
The country on the S. E. fide of the Table mountain attracted
our particular attention, on account of the number
of plantations on the Hoping grounds, and the variety
of plants which that part produced. Its appearance, efpe-
cially near the hills, is the pleafanteft on this fide of the-
ifthmus. By the fide of every little rivulet a plantation is-
fituated, confiding of vineyards, corn-fields, and gardens,,
and commonly furrounded with oaks from ten to twenty
feet high, which enliven the country, and afford fhelter
againft ftorms. The late governor Tulbagh, who is looked
upon as a father to this colony, rebuilt feveral houfes
and gardens here, for the ufe of the governors, at Ronde-
bofch and Nieuw-land. They are plain, and have nothing
particular to recommend them, but that they are kept in
the beft order, confift of fhady walks, and are well fup-
plied with water. The company’s granges or fheds are
alfo
67 .
alfo erected hereabouts; and a little farther o.n there is a
brewery, belonging to a private man, who has the exclu-
five privilège of brewing beer for the Cape. In a fine valley,
on the fide of the mountain, lies the plantation called
Paradife, remarkable for its delightful grove, and for producing
feveral fruits, efpeeially fuch as belong to tropical
climates, which come to great perfection there. Alphen,
the feat of Mr. Kerfte,i (at that time commander in Falfe
bay) was the boundary of our excurfions on this fide. We
were here received with real hofpitality,. which our worthy
hoft had brought from Germany, his native country.
During a few days it was the centre of our botanical rambles,
which always furnifhed us with an abundant har-
veft, and gave us-the greateft apprehenfions- that with all
our efforts, we alone would be unequal to the tàfk of collecting,
defcribing, drawing, and preferving (all at the
fame time) fuch multitudes of fpecies, in countries where
every one we gathered would in all probability be a npn-
defcript. It was therefore of the utmoft importance, if we
meant not to neglect any branch of natural knowledge, to
endeavour to find an afliftant well qualified to go hand
and hand with us in our undertakings. We were fortunate
enough to meet with a man of- fcience, Dr. Sparrman,
at this place, who after ftudying under the father of ho-
tany, the great Sir Charles Linné, had made a voyage to
China, and another to the Cape in purfuit of knowledge..
K 2 The