State of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1822 - Bird

Number 491 of a limited edition of 750 of the new facsimile edition by Struik in the Africana Collectanea series. 380 pages. Hardcover. The dust jacket has some wear around edges. Light scattered foxing on some pages. R65 postage in SA.

The author, a public official, had opportunities of inspecting Government papers, estimates, and statistics, and with regard to these matters, the volume may be taken to accurately represent the position of the Cape colony at this period. Full particulars are given with reference to the system of Government, Courts of Law, and Burgher Senate, the 'enregisterment of slaves', together with notes upon agriculture, viticulture, whale-fishing, &c. &c. There is an interesting description of Cape town, and 'of the manners, customs, and habits of its people'. the remarks are by no means uniformly complimentary to the Dutch inhabitants, and reflect in a curious light the somewhat primitive state of the majority of the population.'  Folding plan of Cape Town & Harbour, General Plan of the Country between Grahamstown and the Mouth of the Great Fish River.