CHAPTER III.
A SKETCH OF CAPE TOWN AND THE COLONY.
I t may, perhaps, conduce to the purpose of the narrative, if in this
place be drawn the outlines of a view of Cape Town, and of the
Colony in general. They may be useful, as giving some general notions
which may render the peculiarities of this settlement, and
those allusions to local circumstances and customs which frequently
recur in the course of this journal more clear and intelligible.
Nothing can be neater, or more pleasant, than the appearance
which this town presents, spreading over the valley, from the seashore
towards the mountains on each side. It contains more
than twenty streets, all of which, intersecting at right angles,
run, either in a north-westerly diredtion parallel to the strand, or
south-westerly from the sea towards Table Mountain. These
streets, though not paved, are kept always in excellent order, and
derive an agreeable freshness from trees of oak and pinaster, planted
here and there on either side. The houses are built of brick, and
faced with a stucco of lime: they are decorated in front with cornices
and many architectural ornaments, and frequently with figures both
in high and low relief. In front of each house, and of the same
length, is a paVed platform,, usually eight or ten feet wide, and
raised, commonly, from two to four feet above the level of the
street; It is ascended by steps, and has generally a seat at each end,
as may be seen in the engraving * at the head of this chapter. This
platform is called the Stoep (step); and here the inhabitants frequently
walk or sit, in the cool of the evening, and often at other
times, to enjoy the air, or to converse with passing friends.
The roofs are flat, and nearly horizontal, having no greater inclination
than just sufficient to throw off the rain-water. They form
a terrace very commodious for walking on, and are made with strong
beams extending from wall to wall; over which stout planks are laid,
and upon these, a thin pavement of bricks, well covered with stucco.
There is no other lime than that which* is made by burning shells,
chiefly muscles, which are collected along the sea-shore. The windows
are very large; but the panes of glass are small. Beams and
floors of the teak-wood of India are not uncommon; but the greatest
part of the timber used in building, and, indeed, for every other pur*
This eTigraving represents a small part of Strand-street, as viewed from the house
adjoining the Lutheran church, looking southward. I t may be considered as showing the
character of the ordinary buildings of the town; but must not be taken as a specimen of
the best houses. On the left are two with thatched roofs; and in these the earlier style
of building may be seen. The figure with two baskets suspended from the ends of a pole,
exhibits the manner in which the Malays and slaves carry about for sale fruit, fish, vegetables,
and various goods. The opening by the side of the highest house, is Loop-street.
The Devil’s Mountain, seen at a great elevation above the tops of the houses, backs this
view, but is omitted in the engraving.