Travel Diaries and Journals

An unusual number of porpoises got up. Made our bows a perfect cloud of them Kept leaping above water, & swimming along faster than the ship. the sailors got hold of a harpoon & struck one, but the shaft of the harpoon broke the line was carried off. the whole flock immediately dis- appeared. We made the land again at 10 oclock (AM) it came on to blow very hard then but it passed off as we made the land. Got up to the Western exty [extremity] of the Cape this afternoon. Saw a large Steamer under sail. Close on land, & the Aguelas light house. Passed danger point where many ships are lost. The steamer supposed to be the Himalaya from India to England with Invalids. We kept on along the land

on the other side the road to Constantia & Wynberg winds round the base of Table Mountain, the Devils Peak & the Lion's Head & Ranges. Constantia appears to stand nearly on the opposite side of Table Mountain from Cape Town. We arrived in Constantia (great) about 12 oclock in the day. The sun was very hot, & as we sat an open carriage I carried an umbrella to keep the heat of the sun off. We got out at Mr. Cloetes wine establishment. Arrived there the Genl. presented his card & we were introduced to his House (Mr. Cloetes). (Ramsay, [written below: & 2 ladies] [written above: late] the Brigade Major) at Calcutta was there, He had come down in the Himalaya on his way to England on Sick leave. in Calcutta he came on board the "Candia" when we were down at

Uneven road. Several times our carriage was on the point of being upset. [after scored through] A very fine scene presented itsekf here [Simons Bay] to the left & the huge precipitous mountains overlooking it. {{Constantia]] with its vineyards and trees in front & extending a considerable way on the southern side of Table Mountain. We stopped at Rathfelders in Wynberg to Tiff. I met the Brigade Major again & Sir Wm. Wise Commander of the "penelope" at present lying in Simons Bay on her way home from India. We started off for Cape Town about 5 in the evening. A beautiful calm clear evening like one of her finest in England. the heat of the day mellowed down & the cool gentle breeze coming down of the sea. We passed the Wynberg Stage Coach dashing along with its four horses in the old English

On the left of Table Mountain is the Devils peak. (For what reason it has received the above euphonian title I know not) looking over the port side of the vessel is the Northern side of the bay & further out of the bay Robben Island. It is now eight months since I left home. Certainly the most eventful period of my past life. First nearly 3 months on the voyage to India, rather more than three months residence in Calcutta after seein Mauritius Palma Santa Cruz Ceylon Madras & now here we are in Table Bay. Certainly the pleasantest place I have seen since I left England and A place I should not have the slightest objection to settle down in. I must begin to write a long letter home today. The mail leaves about the 20th. & is due in England

Went to go on board the "Adelaide" steamer bound from China with invalids home Dadson had a brother badly wounded in China & expected it possible that he might be on board there. We got alongside just as she got steam up and was under way. We hailed & inquired. We were answer in the negative. I was disappointed in not getting a letter on board her for you as she carried a mail home. We next went on board the "Octavia" there I saw my old friend Dr. Taylor. Visit to Constantia as related before. parley from Mr. Young. house in portobello Asked Robt. Hunte to write again before leaving the Cape. dispatched on the 20th April p. S.S. Dante to reach England on June 1st. Sent this leape Angus. Wrote also to Fred. Account of voyage & trip to Constantia. 13th. to 23rd. Living on board the