The Colonial Bishops Are Despots In Their Own Churches, And
There Is No Escape From Their Tyranny But By Dissent.
The Admiral
and his family have been anathematized for going to a fancy bazaar
given by the Wesleyans for their chapel.
April 8th. - Yesterday, I failed about my cart photograph. First,
the owner had sent away the cart, and when Choslullah came dressed
in all his best clothes, with a lovely blue handkerchief setting
off his beautiful orange-tawny face, he had to rush off to try to
borrow another cart. As ill luck would have it, he met a 'serious
young man', with no front teeth, and a hideous wen on his eyebrow,
who informed the priest of Choslullah's impious purpose, and came
with him to see that he did NOT sit for his portrait. I believe it
was half envy; for my handsome driver was as pleased, and then as
disappointed, as a young lady about her first ball, and obviously
had no religious scruples of his own on the subject. The weather
is very delightful now - hot, but beautiful; and the south-easters,
though violent, are short, and not cold. As in all other
countries, autumn is the best time of year.
April 15th. - Your letters arrived yesterday, to my great delight.
I have been worrying about a ship, and was very near sailing to-day
by the Queen of the South at twenty-four hours' notice, but I have
resolved to wait for the Camperdown. The Queen of the South is a
steamer, - which is odious, for they pitch the coal all over the
lower deck, so that you breathe coal-dust for the first ten days;
then she was crammed - only one cabin vacant, and that small, and on
the lower deck - and fifty-two children on board. Moreover, she
will probably get to England too soon, so I resign myself to wait.
The Camperdown has only upper-deck cabins, and I shall have fresh
air. I am not as well as I was at Caledon, so I am all the more
anxious to have a voyage likely to do me good instead of harm.
I got my cart and Choslullah photographed after all. Choslullah
came next day (having got rid of his pious friend), quite resolved
that 'the Missis' should take his portrait, so I will send or bring
a few copies of my beloved cart. After the photograph was done, we
drove round the Kloof, between Table and Lion Mountain. The road
is cut on the side of Lion Mountain, and overhangs the sea at a
great height. Camp Bay, which lies on the further side of the
'Lion's Head', is most lovely; never was sea so deeply blue, rocks
so warmly brown, or sand and foam so glittering white; and down at
the mountain-foot the bright green of the orange and pomegranate
trees throws it all out in greater relief. But the atmosphere here
won't do after that of the 'Ruggings', as the Caledon line of
country is called.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 62 of 73
Words from 31742 to 32249
of 37925
