SOUTH-AFRICA-L Archives

Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2000-12 > 0975858002


From: "JCCI\\MAUREEN BRADY" <>
Subject: Selections from Burchell's Travels
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2000 17:40:02 +0200


Hi All

I'm currently reading a slim volume of Selections from Travels in the
Interior of Southern Africa by William J Burchell edited by H Clement
Notcutt, published by the OUP in 1935. I came across some snippets some of
you may find handy for future reference.

"The only villages in the colony (1815) are those of Stellenbosch, founded
in 1670; Graaff Reinet, in 1786; Swellendam, in 1745; Tulbagh, in 1804;
Uitenhage, in 1804; Paarl; Simon's Town; Zwartland, which contains little
more than the church, in 1801; George, in 1812; Caledon, in 1810; and
Grahamstown, in 1811; here enumerated in the order of their size. And the
only churches (excepting those in Cape Town) are at Stellenbosch,
Swellendam, Paarl, Zwartland, Graaff Reinett, Tulbagh, and Caledon, in the
order of their date; that of Caledon not having been built before the year
1814, at which time the churches at Uitenhage and George town were not yet
begun."

I have a question here: is 'Zwartland' present day Malmesbury?

"Once in every year, a deputation of members of the court of justice, called
the 'Commission of Justice', perform the circuit of the Drostdies
(residencies of the landdrosts), for the purpose of hearing and determining
all trials and lawsuits which may be brought before them."

"The only money in general circulation is small printed and countersigned
pieces of paper, bearing value from the trifling sum of one schelling, or
sixpence currency, upwards to five hundred rix-dollars each. The only
current coin, are English penny-pieces, which here pass for the value of two
piece, and are called dubbletjes. Spanish dollars are used in Cape Town,
rather as bullion than as coin; their value varying according to the rate of
exchange. Accounts are kept in rix-dollars, schellings, and stivers;
although the value of estates and possessions is often rated in guilders,
three of which make a rix-dollar. Six stivers are equal to one schelling,
and eight schellings to one rix-dollar or four shillings currency; but the
value of this currency is excessively reduced by the rate of exchange."

Being dependent on rates of exchange: sounds horribly familiar!

Burchell has a wonderfully readable style -- wish I had the full version. It
makes fascinating reading. Now I know how to cook an ostrich egg without
cracking the shell open!

Hope this helps someone.

Kind regards
Maureen Brady
Johannesburg

This thread: