Part 16 (1/2)
In relation to the Hottentots enrolled in the Western provinces, it is stated that when they went into the field under Colonel Mackinnon, and were attacked near the Amatola, they were saved from destruction by the interposition of the seventy-third regiment.
A gentleman, who is called a ”native foreigner,” thus expresses himself: ”I know the Hottentot character well, as well as any man in the colony.
I am a colonist born, and I believe from my soul, that it will be the most _dangerous_ experiment ever made to allow these men to vote under a franchise amounting to universal suffrage.”
The Secretary of Government stated: ”We had nearly a rebellion here (at Cape Town), amongst the same cla.s.s of colored people as those at the East, and although the panic had partially subsided, the hostile disposition of that cla.s.s against the whites had a.s.suredly not.” So much for the fidelity of, and the confidence reposed in, the colored cla.s.ses of the Cape Colony.
The population of the Cape is heterogeneous; composed of Dutch, English, French, Germans, Malays, Hottentots, emanc.i.p.ated Slaves, Betjouanas, Fingoes, and others coming under the name of native foreigners; which, I take it, means the same as the West India word ”_creole_”--one born of European parents in a colony. The Dutch, as being the earliest settlers, are most numerous, of those laying claims to white blood; but all the power is in the hands of the English, of course, who are too quick-witted for the phlegmatic ”Boer,” the term they apply to the Hollander. After the French and Germans, a small proportion, and the few Malays now left, comes the Hottentot--the Aborigine. With them are enumerated the other colored races, as having the mark of degradation stamped by the Almighty upon the first-born of mankind. The ”emanc.i.p.ated slaves,” having, with a few exceptions, originally sprung from that race, have been but little raised in the scale of humanity, during their term of servitude to the Dutch.
Wished much to have visited the celebrated Observatory, but understood its interior had been destroyed by fire, a few weeks before. There are many constellations seen at the Cape not visible elsewhere.
Was disappointed also in examining the Library; I wanted to overhaul the celebrated Cape Records, said to be interesting.
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Death on board--Our Freight--Extracts from Diary--St.
Helena and Napoleon--The Trades--Poetical idea of a starry Telegraph--Good Sailing.
One of the invalids, whom we were bringing home from the squadron, died and was buried at Cape Town. Poor fellow, he was never destined to see his native land again. His disease, consumption, with the usual tendency of that complaint, made rapid advances as we drew near land. He had resigned himself to die, and his repeated wish was that we might reach the Cape before he should breathe his last; that he might feel a.s.sured of resting in consecrated ground. He was of the Catholic faith, and had his wish, for a priest of his religion attended his remains to their last resting-place, where the seagull swoops, on the sh.o.r.es of the ”stormy Cape.”
On leaving the Cape, our s.h.i.+p presented the appearance of a vessel engaged by naturalists to bring home specimens; and the botanical department was represented by boxes containing specimens of sugar-cane placed in the quarter, stern boats, and on the p.o.o.p. Monkeys, belonging to the men, made a menagerie on the booms. Others of the genus _simia_ were stationed in the tops; an aviary composed of c.o.c.katoos, Cape parrots, Java sparrows, minas, &c., was dispersed through different messes; whilst indigenous animals, such as rats, mice, c.o.c.kroaches and ants, had their appropriate haunts.
_Fifth of May._--”Rolling down to St. Helena,” as the sailors' song has it. Have pa.s.sed the lat.i.tude of _Angra Pequena_, on the African coast, where Martin Diaz the Portuguese navigator erected a cross, and gave it the additional t.i.tle of Santa Cruz. This emblem is said to have been lately overthrown by an English merchant captain. I can imagine the Goth, bloated with beer, and vomiting forth strange oaths!
_May the 10th._--Still heading for St. Helena, which calculate on making within three days. Have caught the ”trades,” but indeed have had winds answering their purpose ever since we left the Cape, having had them generally aft.
On the 13th of May at 10 h. 30 m. made the loom of the Island of St.
Helena, bearing N. N. E. per compa.s.s, pa.s.sed it about thirty miles to windward, just twelve days and a half from the Cape, within the average pa.s.sage.
Helena, lone hermit of the ocean, saddened by the memory of Napoleon, its involuntary hermit. But the dead lion no longer reposes there; his remains have been transferred to one of his own splendid monuments in unfaithful but now penitent Paris; and the spirit of prophecy must have prompted the pen of Byron to write, long before the event took place--
”France shall yet demand his bones!”
_May 19th._--In lat.i.tude 8 50' south, 19 33' west longitude, approaching the line; have had fine trades; now getting light; weather warm, and fine; for the last few days summer clothing in demand.
_Sunday, 23d of May._--Trade wind still holds on; three sail in sight; one pa.s.sed across our bows bound to the southward and westward, and showed Dutch colors.
_Thursday, 27th May, 1852._--Crossed the line last night in about longitude 34 west; are now in the northern Atlantic, and fairly in our own hemisphere; have hit the same day of the month to cross it, in returning; going out the 26th of February, 1850, and coming back the 26th of May, 1852. What has pa.s.sed in the interval! Is it not faithfully recorded on these pages?
Are now looking out for the N. E. trades, and have symptoms of soon getting them. With luck shall make our port within a month from present date.
_Tuesday, June 1st._--Within this month expected to be detached; for the last few days have encountered calms and squalls, line weather, and have not made much progress; got no observation yesterday; last night at half past eleven the master took a lunar, which put us in 3 17' north lat.i.tude. Whilst writing have struck a fine breeze, which we hope will soon carry us out of the _doldrums_.
_Third of June._--Lat.i.tude 7 1' north; have caught the trades at last; after coquetting for several days, these winds, so constant when caught, have consented to fill our sails, and we are now careering along, knocking off hourly nine knots of the distance which divides us from our homes. It is pleasant sailing, too, in these trades, and when you once strike them, you feel secure of their continuance up to a certain parallel. All you have to do is to set your sails, studding-sails, royals, moonsails and sky-sc.r.a.pers, if you carry them; keep them full, and let your vessel go dancing along, day after day, without handling a brace. Seamans.h.i.+p may take a spell below, for your s.h.i.+p will almost _sail herself_!
Saw the northern or polar star last night for the first time, a few degrees above the horizon, peeping at us with its twinkling eye, as much as to say, welcome home! Hailed it as a link connecting us with our native land. How many eyes of persons dear to us, look upon that star, when they think of us. Its appearance suggests the following idea:
If to yon glittering, gleaming star, Our thoughts might wing their rapid flight, To meet in that bright orb, afar; Thoughts that are sent towards us to-night: How happy thitherward to speed, Soul meeting soul, above the wave; From earth, and earth's dark pa.s.sions freed, And--oh! what _postage_ it would _save_!