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78 John Ovington
(Plate 58)
His ‘Voyage to Suratt ...’ was published at London in 1696: the dates are of course Old Style*. There is also a French translation, Paris 1725, from which the plate 58 is taken. He sailed from Gravesend on April 14, 1689 in command of Benjamin, to take out the news of the ‘Glorious Revolution’ which put William and Mary on the English throne. Madeira. S.Tiago. Brazil. Saint Helena. He did not touch at the Cape outwards, but some of his notes are worth including: the pages are ridiculously headed 1699.
Two days before I made the Cape of G. Hope, my Variation [Declination*] was 7 deg. 58 min. West. I was then in 43 deg. 27 min. East Longit.* from C. Salvador, being in Lat. 35 deg. 30 min. this was the first of June. The second of June I saw a large black Fowl, with a whitish flat Bill, fly by us; and took great notice of it, because in the East-India Waggoner or Pilot-book, there is mention made of large Fowls, as big as Ravens, with white flat Bills and black Feathers, that fly not above 30 Leagues from the Cape, and are look'd on as a Sign of ones being near it [Cape Hen]. My Reckoning made me then think my self above 90 Leagues from the Cape, according to the Longitude which the Cape hath in the common Sea-Charts: So that I was in some doubt, whether these
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were the right Fowls spoken of in the Waggoner; or whether those Fowls might not fly farther off Shore than is there mentioned; or whether, as it prov'd, I might not be nearer the Cape than I reckoned my self to be; for I found, soon after, That I was not then above 25 or 30 Leagues at most from the Cape. Whether the fault were in the Charts laying down the Cape too much to the East from Brazil, or were rather in our Reckoning, I could not tell: But our Reckonings are liable to such Uncertainties from Steerage, Log, Currents, Half-Minute-Glasses*; and sometimes want of Care, as in so long a Run cause often a difference of many Leagues in the whole Account.
Most of my Men that kept Journals imputed it to the Half-Minute-Glasses; and indeed we had not a good Glass in the Ship beside the Half-watch or Two-Hour Glasses. As for our Half-Minute-Glasses we tried them all at several times, and we found those that we had used from Brazil as much too short, as others we had used before were long: Which might well make great Errors in those several Reckonings. A Ship ought therefore to have its Glasses* very exact; and besides, an extraordinary care ought to be used in heaving the Log....
But to return from this Digression: Having fair Weather, and the Winds hanging Southerly, I jog'd on to the Eastward, to make the Cape....
From my first setting out from England, I did not design to touch at the Cape; and that was one Reason why I touch'd at Brazil, that there I might refresh my Men, and prepare them for a long Run to New Holland [Batavia]. We had not yet seen the Land; but about 2 in the Afternoon we saw the Cape-Land bearing East, at about 16 Leagues distance....
Comoros. Arrived Bombay May 25, 1690. Surat. Sailed homeward from Surat on February 14, 1693.
... We kept our Course with good Success 'till our Arrival at the Cape.
The Sailers have commonly notice of this Land before they Espy it, by the Soundings [Agulhas Bank] which run out sixty Leagues into the Ocean, and the Almitrosses [?Albatrosses] which is a large Sea-Fowl, and never fly very far from Land; and the Manga Voluchoes [Cape Gannet], another Sea Fowl that keeps thereabouts,...
On May the 16th [dr 27/5], about ten at Night we came to an Anchor at the Cape, but the Commander being a Stranger in the Bay, fir'd two Guns, to signifie we were in Distress, which presently brought two Dutch Masters on board us, who told us that we Anchor'd in bad ground; whereupon we weighed and stood near the Shoar, and there dropt our Anchor in better.
We found in the Road ten Dutch-East India Ships, most of them of good Burthen, richly laden, bound for Europe [dr 12/6, etc.]; these staid expecting two or three more from the Indies, and six had sail'd a little before from thence to Holland. And every Year the Dutch Trade to the Indies, employs near 20 Ships, and as many return home; which with the Trade that they drive there, where they Traffick with at least an Hundred
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[58] Flying-fish, Albacoretta, Dorado, Albacore, From the Dutch edition of item 78.
Sail, advances their Profits to some hundred Thousands, I had almost said some Millions every Year....
The Harbour here is very safe and commodious for Ships, free from all inconvenience and Danger; except it be towards mid Winter, which is there in June, at the Suns approaching the Tropick of Cancer; then the North-West Winds blow sometimes so very fierce, that the Ships are unable to ride against them....
All the Holland East India Ships, both those outward and homeward bound, touch in here for fresh Provisions, and furnish the place with plenty of all Commodities, both from India and Europe. By which means there is scarce one part of all the Tripartite Continent, that is furnisht with that abundance of Conveniences, which the Cape can boast of. And that I may present the Reader with a more regular Account of this famous Promontory, and give him a more methodical Idea of the place, I shall insist upon the following Description of it in this manner. First, in observing its situation, its pleasant Air, and fertile Soil. Secondly in considering the Nature and Customs of its Original Inhabitants. And thirdly, in shewing the Profit and Convenience, which this Plantation affords the Dutch.
First therefore the Cape of Good Hope is situated between thirty four and thirty five Degrees of South Latitude, and is the furthermost Tract of our Continent towards the most Southern part of Africa [sic], and esteem'd by all, the most Renown'd Promontory of the World....
The Neighbourhood of Cape Bone Esperanse, to that vast Ocean towards the South, cools the Air to some Degrees beyond what the proportion of that Latitude might other- | |
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wise seem to give ... The Air however, is not scorching here for this Reason; nor very Cold, because of its nearness to the Fountain of Heat. It has no excesses, but what are tolerable to Children, nor any thing offensive to Old Age. 'Tis temperate and sweet, healthful and pleasant; and is very agreeable to the Constitution of the Dutch, as well as the Natives, to whom it gives Activity and Vigour. It quarrels with no kind of natural Temper, and cherishes all sorts of Animals, as well as Plants. Nor did I ever know any that had been in this Paradise of the World, who denied it the Character of one of the loveliest Regions they had ever seen.
And this fair Country which the Blacks inhabit, is blest with a Soil as pregnant as the Days are pleasant, and prepar'd for any Improvements. Beeves and Sheep, Hogs and Goats feed here upon the Herbage of the Field, which makes them flesht, and very well tasted. And all those sorts of Grain which are proper for Food, or for making strong Drink, thrive here, and grow in that plenty, that no part of Europe can abound with them more. Which is all to be ascrib'd to the indefatigable Diligence and Industry of the Dutch, who being forc'd to a good Husbandry of the Ground by the scantiness which they live upon at home, continue their thrifty Cultivating humour, when they are remov'd to a Soil where they may Cultivate what quantity they please; for they are a People remarkable for Improvements, for their commendable Pains and Care where ever they Inhabit.
But here grows the fruitful Vine, as well as the Wheat and the Barley, and the Dutch delight themselves in the double variety both of French and English Liquors, of Beer and Wine of their own growth, with the sprightly Juice of the one, and the healing Oily quality of the other. The Rivers and Ponds are full of Fish, of great variety and very delicate. The Country is cover'd with Woods and Forests, which abound with store of Beasts and Fowls, as Deer, Antelopes, Baboons, Foxes, &c. Ostriches, whose Eggs are transported to various Countries, Herons, Partridges, Feasants, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks. Tygers and Lions are very numerous, and so bold, that they range sometimes within Gun-shot of the Fort, and for that reason seldom return back, and do often prey upon the Cattle, for which cause they are kept within shelter in the Night....
The next description which I come to, Secondly, is of the Ancient Inhabitants of this Promontory, in what relates to their Nature and Customs. They retain the vulgar name of Hotantots, because of their constant repetition of that word in their hobling Dances [see Hottentots*, Name].
There is a vast difference between the nature of these People that dwell upon this place, and the Country they inhabit; for of all parts this affords a Dwelling most neat and pleasant, and of all People they are the most Bestial and sordid. They are the very Reverse of Human kind ... so that if there's any medium between a Rational Animal and a Beast, the Hotontot lays the fairest Claim to that Species. They are sunk even below Idolatry, are destitute both of Priest and Temple, and saving a little show of rejoicing, which is made at the Full and the New Moon; have lost all kind of Religious Devotion. Nature has so richly provided for their convenience in this Life, that they have drown'd all sense of the God of it, and are grown quite careless of the next.
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They are more Tawny than the Indians, and in Colour and Features come nearest the Negroes of any People, only they are not quite so Black, nor is their Cottony Hair so Crisp, nor their Noses altogether so flat....
The Hotantots are as squalid in their Bodies, as they are mean and degenerate in their Understandings. For they are far from being Curious either in their Food or Attire, any further than what they find Nature reaches forth to them. They think it a needless Toil to spend time in dressing of the Hides of Bulls, or in Spinning and Weaving the Wool of Sheep, for Ornaments and Covering to their Bodies. They are satisfied with the same wrought Garments that Nature has clad the Sheep with, and therefore without more Labour or Art, they take them from the Backs of the Sheep, and put them presently upon their own, and so they walk with that Sheep-Skin Mantle about their Shoulders, or sometimes thrown like a Hood over their Heads, which seem to be the Ancientest Garments, according to Gen. 2. 21. unto Adam and his Wife did the Lord make Coats of Skins. They generally turn the Wool inwards, that the outside of the Garment may defend them from Rain, and the inside from the impressions of Cold. The Ornaments about their Heads are small Shells, or little pieces of Lead or Iron fasten'd to their friz'ld Hair, or put into their Ears. The Hair of their Heads, and of all their Bodies are besmear'd with Kitchin-Grease, tho' never so stinking and Loathsome, which when dissolv'd and heated by their Bodies, sends from thence such an unsavoury Smell, as may be scented at a Furlongs distance, and nearer hand it never fails of a strong Emetick to a weak Stomach. Stinking Grease is their sweet Oil, and the Dust of the Streets the Powder of their Hair. They anoint their Bodies to render their Nerves supple and active, and to fortifie the Pores against the violence of the ambient Air. For they are both nimble and swift of Foot, and of Courage to outface and worst a Lion. Before their Nakedness hangs a small Skin about a foot broad, tied by a string about their middle, which the motion of their Bodies, or of the Air
sometimes turns aside.
The Apparel of the Women upon the upper part of the Body is the same with the Men's; but round their Legs are twisted Sheeps Guts two or three Inches thick, which are serviceable upon a double account, both for Food and Ornament. The Guts, which are made more savoury by the Dirt which sticks to them, affords them as good a Meal as the Flesh of the Sheep, and are eaten with as good a Gusto.
The Huts they dwell in, which are made of Bul-Rushes, or Branches of Trees, are fashion'd round almost like a Bee-hive, reaching about five Foot high, and nine broad, with a small Passage in the side to creep in at, and a Hole in the middle for the Fire.
They disallow Polygamy in all, but in their Chief, who may entertain three Wives at once. And the kind Wives, after the Death of every Husband, if they Marry again, cut off a Joint from the little Finger*, and proceed to the Middle, if they Bury many. The same is imitated by some fond Indulgent husbands, but on neither of them is there any incumbent necessity, only as they are led by Humour at those Times.
The Male Children at Eight or Ten Years of Age, are Cut in their Privy Parts, and depriv'd of one of their Testicles*. The same is likewise done at Cape Comoron, for
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increasing their Valour and Activity. But here, I believe upon another Score, viz. For prevention of a too Luxuriant Increase by Generation; because when their Children Increase beyond their Desires, and the just number which they design, to prevent a heavier Charge upon the Parents, they dispatch the Supernumeraries to the other World, without any Remorse for the horrid Crime, or Consciousness of the execrable Sin of Murther, which is the Reason, I presume, of the Hotantot's losing part of their Virility, that they may debilitate that Native Heat, which powerfully prompts them to Propagation....
There is a vulgar Opinion which has formerly been receiv'd, that the Natives of this Cape were Hermophradites, which was founded only upon Conjecture; for two Gentlemen, who were resolv'd not to be liable to this Errour, assur'd me the Report was false, upon the Curiosity they had of knowing the Reason of it, which was because the Female Parts were cut in the fashion of small Teats hanging down [see ‘Apron*’].
Those that can be induc'd to labour, and undergo any Toil among the Hotantots, are made Slaves of by the Dutch, and imploy'd in all servile Drudgeries. But their Native Inclination to Idleness and a careless Life, will scarce admit of either Force or Rewards for reclaiming them from that innate Lethargick humour.
Their common Answer to all Motives of this kind, is, that the Fields and Woods afford plenty of Necessaries for their Support, and Nature has Amply provided for their Subsistence, by loading the Trees with plenty of Almonds, which grow in the Forests, and yield them food; and by dispersing up and down many wholsome Brooks and pure Rivolets to quench their Thirst. So that there is no need of Work, when such innocent Diet offers it self daily without Pains, and on which they can live without Care. And Thus many of them idly spend the Years of a useless restive Life. But the Governour of the Fort, and several Dutch Inhabitants of the Town prevail upon some of them, and make Converts of them to labour and hardships....
The Third thing observable at the Cape, was the Profit and Advantage which that Plantation affords the Dutch. As this Climate is most delightful, and the Native Turf capable of producing any thing that may administer either to the Exigence or Delight of Man; so is it suited with the greatest convenience imaginable to the important Negotiations of the Dutch, whose Ships that Design for India, and those that return from thence to Holland, are refresht here with all Conveniencies, as in the mid-way between those two distant Regions ... The Refugees of France, who are received here with the same priviledge the Dutch enjoy, acknowledge the happiness of their Transportation; and boast that their Misfortunes are turn'd into their Felicity, since they are blest here with peaceable Dwellings and kind Accommodations, who had not formerly where in safety to lay their Heads.
The Encouragements of such as come hither to Cultivate the Land for their own Livelihood and Benefit of the grand Proprietors, is thus stated, as I understood it. Those that design to settle here, are allow'd their Transportation from Holland gratis. After their Arrival they are invited to range and view the Country, and survey such parts as lie wild and unmanur'd, where they may choose such a Portion as they fancy they are
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able to stock and Manure, and will yield them a Commodious settlement for their Families. This is to be a Patrimony intail'd upon their Children, without any Rent or other Acknowledgment to the Dutch East India Company, but the Sale of their Goods to the Governour, and at his Price. This by the way presses hard upon the Tenants and keeps them under by running the chief Profits of what they possess into the Company's hands. The Governour and Council agree with the Country-man for his Goods and Cattle at a very low rate, and sell them again to the Ships that put in there, as dear as they please; because all Men are restrain'd from vending any Commodities to Strangers without the Council's leave. But however the Industrious Planters want neither plenty of Wine for their Tables, nor variety of Tame and Wild Fowls for their ordinary Entertainments, of which they have often rather too much Store than any Scarcity, because the Company has no occasion for them, and therefore they lie dead upon their Hands. Some upon this account quit the place, and very few of any Substance but easilier may increase their Goods than their Treasure.
Those whose Poverty renders them unable to stock their Land, the Kindness of the Governour provides with Necessaries 'till their Abilities can reach a Payment. Which has mightily increased the number of Inhabitants within a few Years. For whereas about nine Years since, they could scarce reckon above four or five Hundred Planters, they can now number almost as many Thousands; abundance of whom were sent hither by the French Persecution, who are much delighted with the Convenience of their Dwelling.
They have stretcht their Plantations in the Country above seventy five English Miles, and see still a vast space of untill'd Land before them. In this District they rear their Cattle, sow their Corn, plant Vines, and sedulously improve all things of worth to the best advantage. So that within the Revolution of a few Years, many valuable Commodities will be Exported thence, to the other Quarters of the Universe. Their very Wines, in which they will suddenly increase both to a great plenty and variety, are now able to supply their Ships, and to furnish the Indies with some quantity, where they sell it by the Bottle at a Roupie. 'Tis Colour'd like Rhenish, and therefore they pass it under that specious Name in India, but the Taste of it is much harder and less palatable; its Operations are more searching, and the strength of it more intoxicating and offensive to the Brain.
The Impositions which are laid upon Wine and other Liquors that are sold by Retail, seem almost incredible, especially when the small number of people that are presum'd to drink them, is consider'd. For in the Town* of the Cape are not reckon'd above 500 Inhabitants, besides those that are brought in Ships and come out of the Country; and yet the Annual Impost upon Europe Beer and Wine is four thousand Gilders; upon Cape Wine four thousand one hundred; and Brandy, Arak, and distill'd Water, pay twenty Thousand Gilders Yearly to the Governour of the place for a License to sell them. All which Taxes summ'd together, make up about twenty eight Thousand Gilders Yearly, which according to our Accounts, raise between two and three Thousand Pounds, for the liberty of selling Liquors by Retail. This exorbitant Fine upon the Taverns
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and Tipling Houses makes them exact extravagant Rates from the Guests that drink the Liquor, who are indeed the People that pay it. For he that resolves to drink Brandy must pay at the rate of ten Shillings a Bottle for it; and the Cape Wine which in the Cask is sold for less than six Pence a Quart, is in the Tavern half a Crown, and such proportionably are the excessive Prices of the rest. A tame submission is the only Remedy for these Impositions, from which there is no Appeal or Relief, which is apt to imbitter the Lives of the People, nor can any be very happy, who are subject to the Tyranny of a Government that is under no Restraint....
The Governour of the Cape, Min Heer Simon Vanderstel, labours much in Improvements and Accommodations for the inhabitants and Sea-men, and to render it valuable to the Company. The Sailers are well furnisht with fresh Water and fresh Provisions; and in the Bay is caught great store of Fish, which is Pickled and put up in Barrels, and sent home instead of Pickled Herrings [Harders]. The Watering for Ships is contriv'd with such Convenience, that it is scarce equalled by any in the World. For from the Mountains are convey'd in narrow Channels clear Water down to the Shoar, from whence in Leaden Pipes it is carried above forty Foot in the Sea, and there rais'd so high above its Surface, that the Ships Long-Boats* can row under the Pipes, and fill their Vessels with much Ease.
The fam'd Garden* abundantly supplies the Ships with variety of Roots and green Herbs, which contribute not a little to the Health, and even preservation of Life, in these tedious Eastern Voyages. Here is that variety of Excellent Fruits, of Pulse and Roots, which either Europe, of Asia afford. Here are those large Walks, those stately Hedges, and Alleys of Cypres, and Beds of Flowers, which make it Beautiful and Pleasant as the Garden of a Prince, and useful as that of a Peasant. The Conveniencies it abounds with may denominate it a Kitchin Garden, but its Delights a Garden of Pleasure. It is of large Extent, at some distance from the high Mountains, but cut out upon a rising Hill, water'd with pure Springs descending from the Mountains, which make their Passage thro' various Channels that are cut out in every Quarter. The Garden in all its Walks is kept so very neat and clean, that even in the Winter Season, scarce a Leaf is seen upon the Ground. The Trees are Curiously Prun'd, and the Hedges Trim'd with such exactness, that no one irregular Excrescence appears. or Branch shooting out beyond his Fellow. Much of the Fruit in it comes to maturity twice a Year, and many Trees by their nearness to the Sun, are verdant and Beautiful all the Year. Three and Thirty Slaves, besides Europeans, are daily imploy'd in looking after it. This forc'd a Confession, even from the Jesuits, in their Siam Voyage, of allowing it an equality, if not precedence, to their most celebrated Gardens they had in France [item 55 etc.].
That the Inhabitants might be subject to no surprisal from any Enemies nigh their Plantations, the Governour with a few Attendants and Victuals necessary for such an Enterprize, travell'd by Compass for several Weeks, to find its Northerly bounds and Situation, 'till he was stopt by impassible Mountains, which forc'd a Return from any farther progress that way. In this Journey he travell'd over vast Tracts of Land, very
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fit for Agriculture, but all Waste and Untill'd; and was very well satisfied that those inaccessible heights of Mountains which he saw, would stand as immoveable Bulwarks against all In-land Invasions; so that nothing was to be dreaded, but Attacks upon them from the Sea.
For their Defence from any Onsets by Water, is built a strong Fort* near the Sea, with Bastions and Guns mounted for its security, and Officers and Souldiers to guard it from an Enemy. 'Tis beautified with stately Convenient Lodgings within; as well as fortified without.
Near the Fort is a small Town* consisting of about an Hundred Houses; strong and neatly built with Stone Walls and pretty Apartments.
The present Governour, who lives with his Council in the Fort, is a very kind and knowing Person, is maintain'd in Grandeur, and lives Honourably. His publick Table wants no plenty either of European or African Wines, or Asian Liquors; and whatever the Land or Waters, or Air affords in that place, is serv'd up in his bountiful Entertainments. To Complete the Magnificence of which sumptuous Fare, all the Dishes and Plates upon the Board are made of Massy Silver. And before the departure of their Fleets, the Dutch Commanders are all invited to a publick Repast, where they Drink and Revel, bouze and break Glasses, what they please; for these Frolicks are the very life of a Skipper; and the Governour by indulging these Wild licentious Humours, ingratiates with them more, than by any thing else he could devise.
Sailed June 2 [DR 12/6]. July 4 Ascension. Gravesend December 5, 1693. |
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