A Holiday in South Africa (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3CHAPTER III. CAPE TOWN TO POET ELIZABETH. TTIEIDAY, textit{October 15.?Cape Town on a fine day is a _L pleasant, nice looking town to view, with its beautiful bay on the one side and its mountain on the other; but Cape Town as I found it to-day, when first landing, was anything but a charming place. A strong " southeaster" was blowing, which raised clouds of dust, and even lifted small pebbles and stones from the ground that were hurled along with great force. I was told that these " south-easters " are not infrequent here, and that they sometimes last three weeks, causing much discomfort. In spite of wind and dust, however, the latter nearly blinding me, I made several calls, but unfortunately was not successful at first in seeing any of the gentlemen to whom my letters of introduction were addressed. At last I met one, and to him expressed my wish to see the fallen Zulu monarch, Ketchwayo, who was then incarcerated in Cape Town Castle. He directed me to see the Colonial Secretary; so, armed with his card and a note on the subject, I bent my steps in the direction of the Colonial Office. " Secretary engaged " with one of the ministers from the interior, but one of his Subs, was kind enough to say they were very sorry they could do nothing for me, Ketchwayo being under the charge of the Imperial Government Back I went to my friend, who then recommended me to apply at Government House. Thither I betook myself. Courteous reception, " but very sorry could not help me in the matter, the prisoner being in the keeping of Major Poole, etc. etc., who alone could give permission." Bows, thanks, and exit; and having by this time had enough of lion hunting, I went with a friend from the textit{Arab for a walk up Oak Avenue. This is a very handsomely planted roadway. Its oak trees were in full leaf, and ap...