The first distinguishing feature in the country on landing at Cape Town, and even subsequently, after becoming more familiar with the locality, is the almost entire absence of trees. It is true that this want is in a fair way of being supplied by the active measures which have been adopted by all parties in surrounding their residences with the beautiful blue gum tree, which in ten years attains the height of from sixty to seventy feet, with a diameter of twelve inches. This tree affords an agreeable shade, and may be usefully employed, as the wood is hard, close grained, and resinous. But many years must elapse ere this laudable object, of giving a wooded appearance to Cape Town, is carried out.
The history of the Cape of Good Hope is already too well known to be even briefly alluded to here, and may be derived at any time from means which are open to all; but, without wishing to weary the reader, it will be necessary to give some account of the climate, and the present state of the revenue, imports, and exports of the colony.
In a letter addressed to the Honourable William Field, now Emigration Commissioner for the Cape Colony in England, Mr. Maclear, the Astronomer Royal at the Cape, writes, under date of September 9th, 1857:—
“In respect to the important subject of health, the leading feature of the Cape climate is remarkable. Perhaps there is no country on the face of the globe so free from those diseases which spring from putrid exhalations. Cholera, typhus, bilious, remitting, and yellow fevers are unknown. The explanation is found in the frequent refreshing winds which carry off deleterious matter, and diminish the depressing effects of summer heat. For this indulgence the Cape is indebted to its geographical position. Freely exposed to the breeze from the Southern and Atlantic oceans, it reaps the advantages which are sought in England by a residence on the coast.
“Contagious complaints, you are well aware, are far between; and when they do appear, they have been imported, and soon wear out from the same cause which checks malaria.
“Upon the whole, the Cape climate approaches closely to the climate of Madeira; indeed, the only difference seems to consist in the winds being stronger and more regular at the Cape.”
The following table, compiled from observations made for 14 years under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Maclear, the Astronomer Royal, at the Royal Observatory, three miles from Cape Town, will give an accurate idea as regards the general character of the climate:—
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope.
MEAN OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, FROM 1842 TO 1856.
| MONTHS. | Mean of each Month. | Highest and lowest of Maximum each Month. | Highest and lowest of Minimum each Month. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68·77 | 94·7 | 81·4 | 60·4 | 52·4 |
| February | 68·99 | 97·4 | 78·6 | 61·6 | 51·5 |
| March | 66·29 | 91·2 | 77·8 | 55·6 | 46·7 |
| April | 62·95 | 91·4 | 73·0 | 52·6 | 45·0 |
| May | 58·01 | 85·2 | 64·4 | 48·6 | 41·0 |
| June | 55·35 | 77·2 | 65·5 | 44·6 | 37·7 |
| July | 54·57 | 75·4 | 62·7 | 44·2 | 38·0 |
| August | 51·21 | 76·8 | 62·2 | 45·1 | 38·0 |
| September | 57·43 | 83·0 | 69·4 | 48·9 | 40·0 |
| October | 61·06 | 86·2 | 73·0 | 50·8 | 43·7 |
| November | 64·28 | 93·6 | 72·6 | 56·8 | 46·0 |
| December | 67·61 | 96·8 | 74·9 | 59·0 | 48·6 |
| Mean | 61·71 | ||||