Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/142

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132
VOYAGE IN SEARCH
[1792.

having ſpent a great deal of time with ſaying very little, we went to take our repoſe, of which we ſtood in great need. We all envied the peaceable life which this reſpectable planter leads, in the midſt of a family where the greateſt ſimplicity of manners is united with the moſt engaging politeneſs.

10th. As ſoon as it was day, we went to take a view of the grounds about this delightful habitation. We found in M. Boſman's garden moſt of the kitchen-plants and fruits of Europe; fine plantations of almond-trees roſe before the front of the houſe, which was ſurrounded on all ſides with vineyards that conſtitute the chief wealth of the owner.

Soon after ſun-riſe, M. Boſman's youngeſt daughters, ſeeing that we were collecting inſects, came to offer us their aſſiſtance. They hunted them through the garden with incredible ſwiftneſs; and ſoon brought us a fine collection of ſuch as they thought the prettieſt.

As we were ſhortly to ſail from the Cape, we had not much time left us for our expedition to Franſche Hoek. We therefore took leave of this amiable family, with the moſt ſenſible regret, and proceeded on our journey.

We arrived in good time at Stellenboſch, where we ſtopped at the houſe of M. Hoffman.

The