Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-18

Cape Town - It's People and Houses =
Grand Old Table MOuntafn-The Har-
boris Breakwater-ButIt by COnvfets-
LAND HOg-Its joyful Sound After
Twelve Thousand Miles SAIL
A young New Haven gentleman recently
returned from Cape Town writes: Perhaps
there is no period of long sea voyage SO en-
joyable as that from the welcome cry, fLsnd
He!" till the anchor chains rafting through
the hawser pipes announce the voyage ended.
Approaching Cape Town, Cape of Coed
Hope, from the southwest, the Devils Peak,
a very high, cone shaped hill, first appears.
Sir John Herschel spent two years here
taking astronomical observations, and now
the signal station is located on its apex. As
we round this headland into Table Bay, al
most simultaneously grand old Table Noun
tain and the Lions Rump are seen, and Cape
Town as we sail nearer to the shore. At
first the town seems hardly more than
single line of houses, stretching from the
Devils Peak on the right across the base of
Table Mountain to Lions Rump on the left.
As we were coming to an anchor we were
agreeably surprised at hearing a brass
band playing Hail, Columbia" and 'Star
SpangIed Banner" We afterwards learned
that we were indebted for this compliment to
the American man~of-war Brooklyn, then at
Cape Town for repairs. We were soon
boarded by stumpy, red checked English
man, who came alongside in boat manned
by eight man -of-war sailors, and introduced
himself as the captain of the port. Without
once taking breath he pronounced quite
long discourse, which we knew to be an in
quiry as to our health, although the only
words Ineligible were 'cholera morbus" and
''God save the queen" After his remarks
had been Endorsed by the captain he kindly
set US ashore in his boat. On landing we en-
tered hanson, and drove to the American
consul's, Colonel John siler.) We we're
greeted with cordial welcome by Colonel
Siler, and what was still more pleasant found
letters and papers awaiting us from the
States.
The great majority of the houses in Cape
Town are only one-story in height, as
greater height would prove disastrous during
the furious gales which prevail during the
winter months, from June to August. They
are built of brick, succeed in front, and cer-
tainly present most monotonous appear
ance. The few exceptions are some of the
public buildings and one or two of the
churches. The Cape is not in prosperous
condition at present. Business is Frustrated
by the failure of the South African diamond
mines, and the population, eighteen months
ago was seriously deeimated by smallpox.
The population is decidedly heterogeneous.
being composed mostly of Malays. Hotten>
tots, a sprinkling of Zulus and Caffres. The
remainder is made up of Africanders, Dutch,
Beers, English and a few Americans.
During the late smallpox epidemic
the Malays, who are Mohammedans,
refused to be vaccinated Saying that their
religion forbade it. According to the Stats
tics, seventy-five per cent of the entire
death list had not been vaecinated. AL
though the climate is delightful and the tenn
perature very exquisite, the highest being
100 and the lowest $40, still owing to the
poorness of the soil and the scarcity of water
the productions are limited. Wool is the
chief product, very long feeces being pro-
cured. A great many American goods are
used in Cape Colony, blocks, lumber, oil, to-
baeco, beef, clocks, carriages; and while we
were there an American moving machine Sc
cured the prize at an agricultural fair. Cape
/ Town derives its principal income from the
shipping All the English steamers on their
| passages to India and Australia stop
at this port for coal and fresh provisions.
In times gone by Table Bay was
| far from safe, unprotected as it was from the
sea and the heavy southeast and northwest
| gales. The captain or the port remembered
one morning when sixteen vessels bragg ing
their anchors during northwest gale went
ashore. A very long and expensive break
water is now finished, and forms great pro-
lection from the sea. The labor on this
breakwater was almost wholly furnished by
the convicts of Cape Colony. A great many
vessels after weathering the Cape of Good
Hope are obliged to put into Cape Town in
distress, and two years ago a large and costly
| craving dock, in.which the slargest steamer
can be foated, was completed. The docks
for receiving cargo are quite extensive, and
as precaution against smuggling, thieVing,
etc, the only egress is through large gate
guarded by watchmen, and entrance at GER
tain hours of the night can only be
obtained by presenting a pass from
the director of docks. Not far
from this gate are the barracks,
at present occupied by Highland regiment,
who will soon return home, having served
almost five years in India and at the Cape.
With their kits, bare knees and leggings they
present a picturesque appearance Cape
Town has a grand background in old Table
Mountain, towering ever the town with an
elevation of $500 feet. The lower half is
very steep ascent and the upper sheer
precipice. The top of this mountain is per-
fectly flat, hence the name Table. When the
clouds reach down and cover the table up, it
is said, ''the table cloth is spread, and a
storm ia exDected