hitherto more attentive to the quantity than the quality of their wines, so that they are of very little repute in the European markets; and the reduction of duty on foreign wines imported into Britain since 1825, has almost ruined the Cape wine-trade. Constantia, near Capetown, was long celebrated for a peculiar and excellent wine. Wool will, in time, be one of the greatest and most profitable staples of the colony. The colonists are now actively engaged in endeavoring to change their coarse-woolled, or rather hairy sheep, for the fine and pure breed of that animal, whose numbers now exceed 350,000. The settlers in Albany have taken the lead, and have imported Saxon and Merino rams from England and Australia. The fineness of the climate, which renders winter provender unnecessary, and the great extent of upland soil and park-like downs, with the numerous salsola and saline plants, so well adapted to prevent the fuke or rot, show the adaptation of the colony for a vast sheep-fold, capable of supplying an almost indefinite quantity of the finest wool. Hides and horns are rapidly increasing as a staple, and the quantity of ivory, ostrich feathers, gums, and other articles, procured from the native tribes, have proved a valuable branch of commerce. Horses for India, live stock for the Mauritius and other places, are also staple exports. Aloe juice is exported in considerable quantity; dried fruits, as apples, apricots, peaches, pears, &c., have been long in great demand. Raisins are exported to New South Wales, Mauritius, and England. The fisheries have not yet been sufficiently attended to. During the calving season whales come into every bay on the coast, and thus, in some years, a considerable number of them are taken; but there have been no vessels fitted out for whale-fishing along the coast, or among the islands to the northward of Madagascar, where the sperm-whale abounds. The principal trade is with Britain; the largest portion of it is carried on at Table Bay; and the annual value of the commerce of the colony may be estimated at upwards of a million sterling.

There are few roads; and communication throughout the country is almost entirely obstructed by the numerous mountain ranges, the kloofs or passes of which are tremendous. A comparatively easy access from Capetown is to be found only by the small strip of land between the western coast and the mountains of the Cape and Stellenbusch districts, while the districts of Clanwilliam, Worcester, Beaufort, and Graffreynet, to say nothing of Somerset, are in a manner shut out by the difficulties which the mountains present. To surmount the great barrier between the Cape Peninsula and the eastern districts, two works have recently been undertaken and completed, to the incalculable advantage of the colony. The first is a splendid mountain-road through French Hoeck Pass; and the second, called Sir Lowry's Pass, was executed by order of the governor, Sir G. L. Cole, in 1830; farther east this road passes through the Houw Hoeck Pass, from which there is an excellent natural path as far as the village of George, 300 miles from Capetown. The French Hoeck Pass leads to Worcester; but the roads beyond it are extremely bad, and could be improved only at an enormous expense. Every one who has read Barrow, Burchell, or other travellers of note, must have been appalled at the very description of the ascent or descent of a wagon by the old Hottentot Holland Kloof, and will feel pleasure in learning that it may now be passed at a brisk trot over as good a road as any in England. Indeed, but for the mountain passes the communications throughout the country would be easy, for, with the exception of a few sandy spots of inconsiderable extent, the surface of the ground presents a good hard bottom covered with a crust of ironstone

gravel, over which travelling may be performed at the rate of six miles an hour on horseback, from five to five and a half in a horse-wagon, and three in a wagon drawn by oxen.-(On the Roads and Kloofs in the Cape Colony, by Major C. C. Mitchell, Surveyor-General. Journal R. Geog., Soc. Lond. VI. 168.)

CAPETOWN, (KAAFSTAD of the Dutch,) is situated on the south side of Table Bay, at the foot of Table Mountain, on a plain which rises with an easy ascent. It is regularly built, with straight and parallel streets, crossing each other at right angles, and shaded with clm or oak trees. The houses are mostly of red-brick or stone, of a good size, and generally have a stoup or terrace before the door, shaded with trees, beneath which the inhabitants, British as well as Dutch, delight to lounge, sheltered from the sun, or to inhale the fresh evening breeze. The squares are well laid out, the streets are extremely clean, and the public buildings numerous and substantial. Throughout the week there is a continual busy hum of industry; and on the Sabbath the sounds of the church-bells, and the groups of welldressed people flocking to their respective places of worship, readily make the traveller forget that he is at the southern extremity of Africa. The castle, on the south-east side of the town, is a strong fortification, commanding the anchorage; and, if well-defended, is capable of a successful resistance to any force which may be brought against it. It is pentagonal, with a broad ditch and regular outworks; and contains most of the public offices, and barracks for 1,000 men. There are several other defensive works, and the anchorage is commanded by a battery called the Mouille. A plentiful supply of excellent water is brought to the town in pipes, and distributed to every part of it; ships' boats are supplied at the landingplace with a beverage equal to that of the Thames. The population exceeds 30,000, of whom more than half are white; and of these the majority are Dutch. An institution, called the South-African College, was founded at Capetown, in 1829; its affairs are under the superintendence of a council and senate; and it has professors of mathematics, astronomy, classical, English, Dutch, and French literature, drawing, &c. There is also a South-African literary and scientific Institution, with a museum attached to it; a South-African public library; a Medical Society; a Royal Observatory, and several religious and benevolent societies.

The other towns of the colony are generally mere villages. The only large town is Grahamstown, in Albany, situated on the Kowie river, 650 miles east of Capetown, and 100 from Port Elizabeth on Algoa Bay. It contains about 1,200 houses, about 5,000 inhabitants, two public libraries, a printing office, and several excellent public buildings and institutions. Port Elizabeth, in Uitenhage, on the coast of Algoa Bay, three miles north of Cape Reciffe, is rapidly rising in importance, and being a free port, bids fair to rival Capetown. Uitenhage, the capital of the district, is also a neat and flourishing town, built on a large and well-watered plain, 500 miles from Capetown. Cradock, in Somerset district, on the direct road to the Gugira and Betchuana countries, is fast improving, and contains 2,000 inhabitants. Graffreynet is situated on a sort of basin, almost encircled by the deep channel of the Sunday river, closely environed by an amphitheatre of steep, rugged hills, and contains about 500 houses, almost all neat and commodious brick buildings, with wide straight streets, which are planted with rows of orange and lemon trees. Population between 2,000 and 3,000. PortBeaufort, at the mouth of Brede river, in Swellendam district, enjoys a considerable coasting trade. Georgetown, in Georgia district, is pleasantly

situated on a large plain, seven miles from the sea, is divided into several streets, with handsome houses, and is rapidly improving. Bathurst, in Albany, occupies an elevated site, nine miles inland from Port-Francis, and was intended for the capital of the district.

The Cape of Good Hope was discovered in 1486 by Bartholomew Diaz. In 1640 two commanders of the English East India Company took possession of the country in the name of King James; but no settlement was then formed. In 1650 it was colonized by the Dutch government, and remained in their possession for 156 years. In 1795 it was taken possession of by a British armament, but restored to the Dutch in 1802. In 1806 it was again taken possession of by the British, and confirmed to them at the general peace in 1814.

THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA.

MADAGASCAR..

THE Island of Madagascar is situated in the Indian Ocean, between 120 and 26° S. latitude, and 44° and 520 E. longitude, being 930 miles in length by from 70 to 330 in breadth, and containing an area of about 235,000 square miles.

Along the east coast extends a margin of low land 20 or 30 miles in breadth, and along the west coast a similar margin from 70 to 100 miles wide; and between them is an elevated country, consisting of extensive plateaux running north and south, diversified with hills, luxuriant valleys, passes, and ravines, craters of extinct volcanoes, forests, savannahs, rivers, and lakes, while almost every part of the coast is indented with spacious harbors and bays. Though the island is not traversed by any continuous chain, yet many parts may be called mountainous-the highest point, "Ankatarea," in latitude 19° 40′ S., is about 11,000 feet above the level of the sea. The most fertile parts are the valleys, most of which produce rice and other vegetables, or are clothed with a rich and luxuriant verdure.

The climate is essentially tropical, and though mild in the interior, is excessively hot in the low coast regions, where heat and moisture combine to produce the most inveterate and deadly diseases. The trade-winds from the east and south-east prevail during the greater part of the year; while the rains are often accompanied by violent gales from the north-west, west, and south-west. Earthquakes are sometimes felt. The soil in many parts is prolific, and highly susceptible of improvement; and the island produces many valuable plants, including both those of tropical and temperate regions. The wild animals as well as the domestic stock are similar to those of South Africa, and in many parts are so numerous as to become a nuisance and danger to the inhabitants.

The people are all comprised under one emperor, form one nation, and speak the same language in different dialects; but they appear, nevertheless, to be descended from several stocks. The distinction of color separates them into two great classes: one of which is olive colored, handsome featured, graceful, but with lank dark hair; while the other, and more numerous class, closely resembles the Papuans, being short and stout, almost

black, with low foreheads, broad flat faces, large eyes and mouth, and long crisped hair. With the exception of the Ovahs, who belong to the first class, and live in the interior; the Madegasses are little better than barbarians, go almost naked, despise a settled life, are extremely superstitious and vicious. Their diet consists principally of rice and manioc, with beef and poultry, and their cookery is extremely simple. The whole population numbers about 4,700,000.

Madagascar is divided into 28 provinces, each having a separate chief; but latterly the Ovahs have become the predominant tribe, and their chief, who is in fact sovereign of the island, receives tribute from all the rest. The government is despotic, and the succession usually hereditary. The royal family are highly honored, and no people can be more tenacious of etiquette than his subjects, and of the respect they hold due to rank. The sovereign is also high priest of the national religion, which is a rude species of polytheistic idolatry. Christianity was introduced with some success by English Missionaries, between 1818 and 1825; but a royal edict in the latter year not only forbid the profession of it, but legalized the persecution of all its adherents; and every means have been adopted to destroy the effects of the past exertions of the missionaries in the promotion of religion and social improvement.

The country is almost shut out from the commerce of the world. The French, however, have some small stations on the coasts.

Tananarivo, the capital, is situated on a lofty table-land, nearly in the centre of the island, and contains about 12,000 inhabitants. Tamatave, on the east coast, is also a place of considerable importance.

Madagascar was discovered in 1506, by the Portuguese, and in 1642 the French attempted to make it one of their colonies; but in 1664 the colonists were obliged to retire to Bourbon. The Jesuits meanwhile continued to exert themselves in the establishment of Christianity, but, through indiscretion, so exasperated the natives that several of their number were massacred, and the remainder were glad to escape from the island. From 1818 to 1825 the English missionaries were allowed to visit the island, with full permission to deliver their views, and the sovereign Radama, was favorable to the establishment of schools, and the introduction of improved methods, both of agriculture and manufactures. Since his death, however, there has been a stagnation in the trade with England, and Christian Missionarise and converted natives have suffered dreadful persecution, and, in some instances, martyrdom.

THE COMORO ISLANDS.

The Comoro Islands, four in number, viz: Comoro, Anjouan, Mohilla, and Mayotta, lie midway between Cape Delgado and the most northern part of Madagascar. They are high and mountainous in the interior; but in the lower grounds abound in sheep, cattle, and all kinds of tropical grain. and fruit. The people are mild and industrious. The population of Comoro, the largest, is said to be about 30,000.

BOURBON OR REUNION.

BOURBON is situated 440 miles east of Madagascar, in latitude 21° S., and is of an oval form, containing about 900 square miles. It is divided into two parts by a range of hills running north and south, and connecting two volcanic groups, or centres of volcanic action; the end of which, in the north, the "Piton des Neiges," rises 10,355 feet, and the other, in the

south, the "Piton de Fournaise," is an active volcano of 7,218 feet elevation. There are no plains of any extent; the shores are low, however, but have neither road nor harbor. The climate is healthy and agreeable, more especially on the eastern or windward side, but the general tranquillity is sometimes disturbed by violent hurricanes. The soil is very fertile, and cultivation is carried up the mountains for 3,000 feet. All the plants and grains of tropical climates suceeed remarkably well, and the people have a good supply of domestic animals. The coasts abound with fish, large turtles, coral, and ambergris. The population amounts to about 115,000, more than half of which is composed of blacks. Bourbon contains a college and numerous schools, 16 churches, &c. Four newspapers are published on the island. St. Denis, the capital, contains 12,000 inhabitants: St. Paul is also a considerable town of 10,000, but neither have harbors. Bourbon was discovered in 1545, by Mascarhenas, a Portuguese navigator, whose name it bore until the French took possession of it in the next century, and gave it its present designation. It is now one of the principal colonies of the French.

MAURITIUS, OR ISLE OF FRANCE.

THIS island lies about 90 miles east-north-east of Bourbon, and contains 726 square miles. It seems to be of volcanic origin; the rocks are disposed in strata, which rise from the sea and form in the centre a high plateau. The mountains form three principal ridges, from 1,800 to 2,800 feet high, and their summits are in general pointed like cocks-combs. A coral bank surrounds the island, and the islets off the coast are all of the same formation. The soil, climate, and productions are similar to those of Bourbon, but sugar is the staple produce. The whole population is mostly of French extraction, and amounts to about 35,000: the blacks number 6,000. The British residents are few in comparison, and consist almost solely of merchants, soldiers, and government servants. Port Louis is the capital, and has 2,600 inhabitants. The only harbors are those of Port Louis, on the west, and Mahebourg, on the south-east. Dependent on the government of Mauritius are the small islands of Rodriguez, the Seychelles, Diego Garcia, &c. The island was discovered by the Dutch in 1595, who gave it its present name, in honor of the Stadtholder Maurice, Prince of Orange. It was subsequently possessed by the French, and raised to a naval station of the first importance. Its name was changed to Isle of France, and the island became capital of their possessions in the Indian Seas. It was captured in 1810 by the British, and at the peace of 1814 confirmed to that nation.

SOCOTRA.

THIS island lies near the Gulf of Aden, and is 70 miles long by 19 in breadth. It may be described as a pile of mountains surrounded by a fertile plain, forming a ring around its base. The island has been famous, from the earliest periods, for the production of the aloe spicata, which appears to thrive only in parched and otherwise barren places. The inhabitants depend principally for food on their date trees and their flocks. Socotra is inhabited by two distinct races: the one called Bedouins, inhabit the mountains and the high and western parts of the island; the other, who call themselves Arabs, are a mongrel race, the descendants of Arabs, Africans, Portuguese and others. But they all wear the same dress, and have adopt