The Malays are also a mixed race, like
the Turks - i.e. they marry women of all sorts and colours, provided
they will embrace Islam. A very nice old fellow who waits here
occasionally is married to an Englishwoman, ci-devant lady's-maid
to a Governor's wife. I fancy, too, they brought some Chinese
blood with them from Java. I think the population of Capetown must
be the most motley crew in the world.
Thursday, May 8th. - I sail on Saturday, and go on board to-morrow,
so as not to be hurried off in the early fog. How glad I am to be
'homeward bound' at last, I cannot say. I am very well, and have
every prospect of a pleasant voyage. We are sure to be well found,
as the Attorney-General is on board, and is a very great man,
'inspiring terror and respect' here.
S- says we certainly SHALL put in at St. Helena, so make up your
minds not to see me till I don't know when. She has been on board
fitting up the cabin to-day. I have SUCH a rug for J-! a mosaic of
skins as fine as marqueterie, done by Damara women, and really
beautiful; and a sheep-skin blanket for you, the essence of warmth
and softness. I shall sleep in mine, and dream of African hill-
sides wrapt in a 'Veld combas'. The poor little water-tortoises
have been killed by drought, and I can't get any, but I have the
two of my own catching for M-.
Good-bye, dearest mother.
You would have been moved by poor old Abdool Jemaalee's solemn
benediction when I took leave to-day. He accompanied it with a
gross of oranges and lemons.
LETTER XV
Capetown, Thursday, May 8th.
At last, after no end of 'casus' and 'discrimina rerum', I shall
sail on Saturday the 10th, per ship Camperdown, for East India
Docks.
These weary six weeks have cost no end of money and temper. I have
been eating my heart out at the delay, but it was utterly
impossible to go by any of the Indian ships. They say there have
never been so few ships sailing from the Cape as this year, yet
crowds were expected on account of the Exhibition. The Attorney-
General goes by our ship, so we are sure of good usage; and I hear
he is very agreeable. I have the best cabin next to the stern
cabin, in both senses of NEXT. S- has come back from the ship,
where she has spent the day with the carpenter; and I am to go on
board to-morrow. Will you ask R- to cause inquiries to be made
among the Mollahs of Cairo for a Hadji, by name Abdool Rachman, the
son of Abdool Jemaalee, of Capetown, and, if possible, to get the
inclosed letter sent him?
