p. 27

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EricRoscoe at Aug 25, 2021 02:30 PM

p. 27

[5]

14

In the record of the strenuous week I have omitted a lunch given by Mrs. Solly where we m
met members of the W. C. T. U. A souvenir was given us containing nice views which
I shall use as illustrations of this record of our daily doings. On Sunday I went alone
to lunch as all the others were filling engagements elsewhere. I was glad enough to
have a quiet hour for letters. These letters were not those I should have been glad to
send to my friends, but were those concerning our itinerary.

Monday dawned with the promise of a clear day. The night cap of cloud which had
rested over the Lion's Head had been removed by the warm sunshine and by II o'clock th[e]
sun was shining bright and clear for the first time during our visit. A drive had been
on the program for the week before but the weather prevented it from being carried into
effect. It was understood that we should take it when the weather allowed. While we w
were at breakfast Mrs. C. De Villiers a Dutched lady telephoned to say that we would go.
We first repaired to her house, only a stone'$ throw from the Hotel, at II o'clock to
take morning coffee, for that is a custom in South Africa , the Dutch taking coffee and
the English tea. If there is any harm in either this country ought to go to ruin. The[y]
begin with tea or coffee in bed before they get up. Whether the black fold who bring it
get any before they get up, I have not learned At II there is more coffee or tea and of
course there was some to be had with the breakfast. At four in the afternoon there is te[a]
with bread and butter and cakes. Dinner is at seven. When we had had our coffee, we were
loaded into a fine motor car and off we went. We were not prepared for the wonders of th[e]
drive. It compares only with the world famous drive from Nice to Monte Carlo, and is about
the same length. It was over the Victoria Road which is many parts has been cut out of
the mountain side . It sometimes winds in and out around the mountain in so dizzy a way
that two members of our party were forced to cover their eyes. The view was a never endi[ng]
variety of mountain and sea scapes, the whole being decorated with unfamiliar trees, plan
and wild flowers. It is winter and the Cape Towners say it is the worst and coldest mont[h]
of the year. But the wild flowers were plentiful and splendid. They are not the nodest
varieties we know but bold big flaming things which call for vases. Scarlet was a freque[nt]
color. The Calla Lily, called here the Arum Lily grows wild and plentifully. Gladiol[y],
fresias and other cultivated things also grow wild. That drive will never be forgottn
We passed Kalb Bay, Haut Bay, Sea Point Camp's Bay etc. We visited en route the Government
wine farm where experiments are being made to produce the best wine. WE were shown
around to the cellars , presses etc. It was a beautiful spot. Later we called at Mrs. Cl
Clute'sanother wine farm . It was a beautifully kept vineyard and clean place. She lived
in a very old and fine Dutch house. A very wide hall ran from front to rearwith a big
drawing room and dining room on one side and a kitchen and other rooms on the other side.
The bed rooms were on the second floor. The windows were very large and there was an air
of elegance about it all The house was full of old Dutch things and exceedingly well kept.
Mrs. Clute had been at Lady Innes Lunch where we had made her acquaintance. She gave usa
bag of oranges picked from the tree for us which proved delicious later on. Our last s
stop was at Groote Schuur, the house and gardens given by Cecil Rhodes for the residence
of the prime minister for the Union when it should take place. It is a beautiful house
very large and imposing but impressed me that it was not a house where a woman would like
to live. It has large but peculiarly constructed windows with small panes of glass which
seem to exclude the light. The whole is surrounded by beautiful grounds and contain a
valuable zoological garden. We came back from our tour tired in body, having rode at
least 4 miles but our hearts were full of joy in the memory of the beautiful things we ha[d]
seen. We all went to bed to rest a bit before the evening. By eight o'clock we had
donned our very best fluffy ruffles and went to the City Hall for the reception the
Mayor, Sir Frederick Smith gave us. Dr Jacobsand I stood with Sir Frederick and
Lady Innes who acted as hostess since Lady Smith was away, and received American
fashion. When all had arrived, we entered an adjoining room where we found all the
people seated. The Mayor was nervous lest there would be a disagreeable lull between
the speeches and refreshments and begged me to speak long. I had only intended
saying a few words, but did make quite a long speech. When I finished there was a unanimity
of opinion between the speaker and the audience, and that was that it was a
poor speech.

p. 27

[5]

14

In the record of the strenuous week I have omitted a lunch given by Mrs. Solly where we m
met members of the W. C. T. U. A souvenir was given us containing nice views which
I shall use as illustrations of this record of our d aily doings. OnSundayI went alone
to lunch as all the others were filling engagements elsewhere. I was glad enough to
have a quiet hour for letters. These letters were not those I should have been glad to
send to my friends, but were those concerning our itinerary.

Monday dawned with the promise of a clear day. The night cap of cloud which had
rested over the Lion's Head had been removed by the warm sunshine and by II o'clock th[e]
sun was shining bright and clear for the first time during our visit. A drive had been
on the program for the week before but the weather prevented it from being carried into
effect. It was understood that we should take it when the weather allowed. Whilr we w
were at breakfast Mrs. C. De Villiers a Dutched lady te lephoned to say that we wuld go.
We first repaired to her house, only a stone'$ throw from the Hotel, at II o'clock to
take morning coffee, for that is a custom in South Africa , the Dutch taking coffee and
the English tea. If there is any harm in either this country ought to go to ruin. The[y]
begin with tea or coffee in bed before thry get up. Whether the black fold who bring it
get any before they get up, I have not learned At II there is more coffee or tea and of
course there was some to be had with the breakfast. At four in the afternoon there is te[a]
with bread and butter and cakes. Dinner is at seven. When we had had our coffee, we were
loaded into a fine motor car and off we went. We were not prepared for the wonders of th[e]
drive. It compares only with the world famous drive from Nice to Monte Carlo, and is abot
the same length. It was over the Victoria Road which is many parts has been cut out of
the mountain side . It sometimes winds in and out around the mountain in so dizzy a way
that two members of our party were forced to cover their eyes. The view was a never endi[ng]
variety of mountain and sae scapes, the whole being decorated with unfamiliar trees, plan
and wild flowers. It is winter and the Cape Towners say it is the worst and coldest mont[h]
of the year. But the wild flowers were plentiful and splendid. They are not the nodest
varieties we know but bold big flaming things which call for vases. Scarlet was a freque[nt]
color. The Calla Lily, c alled here the Arum Lily grows wild and plentifully. Gladiol[y],
fresias and other cultivated things also grow wild. That drive will never be forgottn
We passed Kalb Bay, Haut Bay, Sea Point Camp's Bay etc. We visited en route the Government
wine farm where experiments are being made to produce the best wine. WE were shown
aroundto the cellars , presses etc. It was a beautiful spot. Later we called at Mrs. Cl
Clute'sanother wine farm . It was a beautifully kept vineyard and clean place. She lived
in a very old and fine Dutch house. A very wide hall ran from front to rearwith a big
drawing room and dining room on one side and a kitchen and other rooms on the other side.
The bed rooms were on the second floor. The windows were very large and there was an air
of elegance about it allThe house was full of old Dutch things and exceedingly well kept.
Mrs. Clute had been at Lady Innes Lunch where we had made her acquaintance. She gave usa
bag of oranges picked from the tree for us which proved delicious later on. Our l ast s
stop was ar Groote Schuur, the house and gardens given by Cecil Rhodes for the residence
of the prime minister for the Union when itbshould take place. It is a beautiful house
very large and imposing but impressed me that it was not a house where a woman would like
to live. It has large but peculiarly constructed windows with small panes of glass which
seem to exclude the light. The whole is surrounded by beautiful grounds and contain a
valuable zoological garden. We came back from our tour tired in body, having rode at
least 4 miles but our hearts were ful of joy in the momory of the beautiful things we ha[d]
seen. We all went to bed to rest a bit before the evening. By eight o'clock we had
donned our very best fluffy ruffles and went to the City Hall for the reception the
Mayor, Sir Frederick Smith gave us. Dr Jacobsand I stood with Sir Frederick and
Lady Innes who acted as hostess since Lady Smith was away, and received American
fashion. When all had arrived, we entered an adjoining room where we found all the
people seated. The Mayor was nervous lest there would be a disagreeable lull between
the speeches and refreshments and begged me to speak long. I had only intended
saying a few words, but did make quite a long speech. When I finished there was a unanimity
of opinion between the speaker and the audience, and that was that it was a
poor speech.