Travel Diaries and Journals

alone here not having procured a bed before I came on board. I have got a matress out of one of the soldiers swung cots upon which I sleep as snug as possible. the lid of my shaving box does for a looking glass my old boxes one placed [written above] below the bunk (the smallest one) the other the lge one so carefully packed by my sisters before I left stands by the side of my bunk. A Chinese fan a solar topi & 2 straw hats decorate the wall of my cabin & & brass basin soap dish & tooth & nail brush brought from Calcutta constit ute my Cabin furniture. I wake up at 6 or rather I am wakened up by my servant bringing coffee then get my book & read an hour before I get up (an old fashion at home) which I have not yet lost the Capt. then comes into my cabin

We came to anchor at 2 o clock. We were near going on shore & the anchor parted by the strain. We however got the other anchor down & all put to right. Gen Salter immediately went on shore Lt Dadson & I went to go on board the "Adelaide". She (Black boatman 'bout ship) steamed off just as we got along. Dadson shouted out to inquire for his brother wounded in China. Next went on board the "Octavia" saw Dr. Taylor whom I had parted with in Calcutta 6 weeks before. he was rather as- tonished to find me down here. asked him to see Fred. when he went down to Edinburgh. Went on board & dined. In the evening Dadson & I called on the Brigade Major & Dr. Summers the P.M.O. at Cape Town & reported our arrival Could not get off at night to the ship slept

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

style several ladies and gentlemen out walking. Quite different from Calcutta where no one walks out darkness. Cause on where we were four miles from Cape Town & we got to Mrs. Parkes at 1/2 past six in time for dinner. We dined there & the Capt. & I returned on board ship about 9 oclock very much pleased with our days excursion. April 9th to 12th. Nothing particular the last three days. have been on shore some part of each day generally in the evening. We called on the Genl. and Dadson when we went on shore the latter has gone off to live in the Cape isfle bangetts & the former to live at Rathfelders in Wynberg

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