ERRATA in Vol. XCIX. Page 210. 1. 1. 260. 1. 15. after mass of,' add the. 280. 1. 15. from bott., place a turned comma after appearance.' THE MONTHLY REVIEW, For SEPTEMBER, 1822. ART. I. Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa. By William J. Burchell, Esq. Vol. I. 4to. With an entirely new Map, and numerous Engravings. pp. 600. 47. 14s. 6d. in Boards. Longman and Co. 1822. PRO ROMPTED by the purest spirit of independence, and undismayed by the formidable and mournful discouragements which have attended most of the recent explorations of Africa, the intrepid author of these travels has consecrated several of the prime years of his life to a deliberate survey of unfrequented scenes, to an ample collection of specimens of natural productions, and to the preparation of his original narrative for the press: all this, too, he has accomplished on the sole strength of his own resources, and under every discomfort, toil, and peril. The principles on which he constructed his map are distinctly unfolded in the geographical remarks; and the colored plates, and even the vignettes, are accurately rendered from his own drawings. The feelings of the modest reader are respected throughout, and the writer's paramount object is to convey genuine information, by recording facts and observations as they really occurred. In the very first sentence, he brings us in sight of the Cape of Good Hope; and, on nearing this striking and romantic promontory, he indulges in a train of appropriate reflection. In consequence, however, of a violent tempest, he was driven out again to sea, and exposed to the most imminent danger. The captain, whose careful eye was unceasingly surveying every part of his ship, discovered that the try-sail, which was an old one, showed in several parts the first symptoms of splitting, some of the threads having already given way. Knowing that on this sail depended the maintenance of the balance of wind necessary for keeping the vessel's head either from falling off or broaching too, he began, with evident melancholy, to express to me his fears. At such a time as this, and indeed on every occasion, when the safety or right management of the ship is in question, a passenger (and here I was the only one) will naturally feel as anxious and wacthful as those to VOL. XCIX. whom B whom that safety is entrusted. I saw that our fate depended sug For the convenience of making excursions in the neighbourhood, of procuring various articles requisite for the furtherance of his travels, and particularly with the view of becoming acquainted with the Hottentots and their mode of conversing in Dutch, Mr. Burchell resolved to fix his headquarters for some months at Cape Town. Having devoted two or three days to the landing of his baggage, and making introductory visits to the official individuals and others to whom he had recommendations, he sallied forth to the Lions' Mountain; accompanied by Mr. Hesse, the Lutheran clergyman, under whose hospitable roof he resided, and with whom he contracted an intimate friendship. In the course of this stroll, he found all the botanical riches of the Cape, which his fancy had pictured, greatly surpassed in reality: but a still more copious store of vegetable specimens rewarded his herborizing ramble in the direction of the Table Mountain; for, in the space of four hours and a half, he gleaned not fewer than one hundred and five distinct species of plants, within the limited compass of an English mile; and, at a more favorable season of the year, it is reasonable to presume that double the number might have been procured. The beautiful and choice productions of the soil are, however, generally despised as weeds by the colonists, who cultivate the more common garden-flowers of Europe; and the various species of the elegant tribe of heaths are not even distinguished by name, but indiscriminately denominated bushes. Where the diversified and magnificent charms of Flora are viewed with uch frigid indifference, we cannot indulge in any very sanguine anticipations of a botanic garden and a museum: but we do not deny that such establishments might contribute to improve the residents of the Cape in their acquaintance with the rarities within their reach, and to promote the extension of natural science in Europe. In an excursion to Camps Bay, numerous additions were again made to the herbarium: but the range of Mr. Burchell's observant and penetrating eye is by no means circumscribed by the circle of mere physical appearances; for the moral condition condition of his own species at Cape Town, and particularly that of the Hottentot, Malay, Mozambique, and Madagascar slaves, also obtain a due share of his attention and considerate regard. His remarks on this interesting subject are thus introduced on the 1st of January, 1811: This day is generally kept by the Dutch as the greatest holiday in the year. The custom of sending to each other new-year's gifts is still kept up among them; and, in many families, the slaves are permitted to enjoy the day with their own friends; on which occasion, they dress in all their best clothes. It certainly softens some part of the horrid idea of slavery, to see that slaves possess, notwithstanding their humiliated condition, a mind which allows them to enjoy happiness whenever it may fall within their reach} or whenever their masters are fortunately of so humane and just a disposition as to look upon them as fellow-creatures, and to consider them as entitled to some reasonable share of the comforts of life. It would be unjust not to add, that this disposition in their masters is very common, especially in Cape Town. And though, probably, their humanity may often be attributable to self-interest, which bids them take every care of so valuable a part of their property, yet it is not for us to make a nice distinction in the motives, so long as the benefit which the poor slave enjoys from it is equal in both cases.' No In another passage, Mr. B. expresses, in a short sentence, the essence of the argument against a traffic which has imprinted an indelible stain on the annals of our race. thing,' says he, that the most able and ingenious advocates for slavery have advanced, can stand against that powerful objection, that it is a practice morally wrong, and directly contrary to the best and dearest feelings of human nature.' A visit to Paradise, and to the summit of the Table Mountain, still greatly increased the catalogue of plants and specimens: but, with all this prodigality of specious vegetation, the environs of Cape Town are miserably deficient in pasture; while the prevalence of heavy sands, and remoteness from the inland-stations, are peculiarly adverse to a reciprocal interchange of commodities. The poorer classes of the inhabitants are constantly destroying the roots and branches of shrubs and bushes for fuel, so that the isthmus threatens to be converted into a sandy desart; whereas, by encouraging the growth and dissemination of such plants as bind the loose soil, whole tracts might be consolidated and rendered productive. We arrived at Constantia,' says the traveller, about two o'clock, and having received a general invitation from Mr. Cloete, the proprietor, we intended to profit by it this day; and take a view of the vineyards and cellars; after which, to have resumed qur ramble B 2 + |