1810. TH E TOWN AND BAY. 2 5
A long broad walk, or avenue, shaded by trees of the common
English oak *,- divides the garden longitudinally, and leads from the
street called the Heeregragt f towards an uncultivated plain extending
to the foot of Table Mountain, and, in some parts, abounding
in low scrubby trees of Kreupelboom%, much used for fire-wood.
From this plain, there is a fine view of the town, Table Bay, and
ships at anchor, beyond which, in the distance, are seen the mountains
of Tygerberg, Blaauwberg, and the great range near Stellenbosch.
In this landscape, the pine trees in the garden present
a remarkable feature: the castle, the barracks, and the church, are
prominent objects; and, as the open ocean is intercepted from the
sight by the Lion’s Rump, the bay itself, in a calm day, appears
like an extensive lake. §
* At the foot of which, in the month of April, the pretty little yellow flowers of
Galaxia gramínea spring up here, not unlike the crocuses in Europe.
f Which may be interpreted as meaning the vfa.t&c-channel running by the governor*s
house.
t Leucospermum conocarpum, (Protea Conocarpodendron of Linnaeus.)
§ Plate I. represents this view. On the left is seen the foot of the Lion Mountain,
where the houses, which are all white, commence and extend as far as the castle. The
roofs being flat and plastered with lime, give to 'thé whole an unvaried whiteness. Beyond
the two ships under sail, entering the harbour, is Blaauwberg (Blue Mountain),
which a long line of white sand-downs divides from the bay. The next mountain, behind
the first ship at anchor, is Koeberg (Cow Mountain). Behind Blaauwberg the top of
Dassenberg is visible; and next beyond Koeberg, on the right, is the mountain called
Riebeclc’s Kasteel (Riebeck’s Castle), which is followed by a very distant serrated range of
mountains, whose summits are often whitened with snow; these are the mountains of
Roodezand. The upper part of Paardeberg (Horse Mountain) ju st appears above the
eastern end of Tygerberg, and is only distinguished from the Roodezand mountains by
a nearer tint. In the direction of the last ships at anchor, the Tygerberg, (Tiger Mountain)
commences, and thence extends to the right of the bay. The mountains pf
Drakenstein terminate the distant range. The two female figures are negroes returning
home, with linen which they have been washing in the rivulet. Behind these figures,
a row of oak-trees and a white wall enclose the garden and the official residence of
the admiral commanding on the Cape station. The buildings above the sheep, are
those belonging to a water-mill; and over these are seen the trees of the Government
Garden, in a line extending as far as the large stone-pines (Pinus Pinea).' Th e spire
of the Lutheran Church may just be distinguished as a small speck upon the sea, a
little to the right of the ships under sail; and, in this drawing, points out the north.
Near the pine-trees, the Dutch Churchy in which the English service is also performed, is
conspicuous; and, close to it, the bell and flag-staff of the naval yard may be perceived.
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