A Winter Tour in South Africa | Page 3

and
the day dawned with a most perfect specimen of "Queen's weather."
Cape Town was literally _en fête_. The inhabitants thronged the streets.
I was astonished at the great variety of gay costumes among the motley
crowd--English, Dutch, Germans and French, Malays, Indian Coolies,
Kafirs, and Hottentots--a tremendous gathering, in fact, of all nations,

and "all sorts and conditions of men." There was a grand review of all
the military branches of the Service, in which His Excellency the
Administrator, General Smyth, surrounded by a brilliant staff, received
the homage due to the British flag; and, as her representative on this
occasion, to Her Majesty's honoured name. The review was followed
by a regatta in the afternoon. It was quite refreshing to a new arrival,
like myself, to observe the enthusiastic evidences of loyal feeling
everywhere exhibited in the capital of the Colony to our Queen, the
beloved and venerated head of the British Empire.
[Illustration: GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CAPE TOWN.]
Before commencing my long and interesting tour "up country," I spent
a few most pleasant, days at Cape Town. My impressions of it, and of
its beautiful surroundings, could not fail to be most favourable. The
panoramic view of its approach from Table Bay, at the foot of Table
Mountain, is very fine. The town itself appeared to me much cleaner,
and brighter than I expected to see it, although, it must be admitted,
there is still considerable room for improvement in its sanitary
arrangements, and also in the accommodation, and condition of its
hotels, to make them as attractive as they ought to be. The best of them
do not come at all up to our standard at home, nor to our English ideas
of comfort and convenience. A great improvement in these respects, I
am satisfied, is not only necessary, but would pay well, and induce a far
larger number of visitors to stay at Cape Town, and avail themselves of
its attractions of climate, and fine surroundings.
While I was at Cape Town, I visited among other places, the House of
Parliament, the Observatory, the South African Museum, the Public
Library, the Botanic Gardens, &c.
[Illustration: PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CAPE TOWN.]
The House of Parliament, which was opened for public use in 1885, is
a very handsome building, having a frontage of 264 feet, and is divided
into a central portico, leading into the grand vestibule, the two debating
chambers, and side pavilions. The portico, which is of massive
dimensions, is approached by a commanding flight of granite steps,

which runs round three sides of it. The pavilions are relieved by groups
of pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and are surmounted by domes and
ventilators. The whole of the ground floor up to the level of the main
floor has been built of Paarl granite, which is obtained from the
neighbouring district of that name. The upper part of the building is of
red brick, relieved by pilasters and window dressing of Portland cement,
the effect being very pleasing to the eye. The interior accommodation
for the business of the two Legislative bodies is most complete, and
arranged with a careful view to comfort and convenience. In addition to
the Debating Chambers, which are sixty-seven feet in length by
thirty-six feet in width, there is a lofty hall of stately appearance, with
marble pillars, and tesselated pavement, which forms the central lobby,
or grand vestibule. I might mention, that the debating chambers are
only ten feet in length and width less than the British House of
Commons. Adjoining the central lobby is the parliamentary library, a
large apartment, with galleries above each other reaching to the full
height of the building. The usual refreshment, luncheon, and smoking
rooms have not been forgotten, in connection with the comfort of the
members. The public are accommodated in roomy galleries, and ample
provision has been made for ladies, distinguished visitors, and the press.
The portrait of Her Majesty, and the Mace at the table reminds one
forcibly of the fact that one is still in a portion of the British Empire.
The total cost of the building, including furniture, was £220,000.
I attended two or three debates in the House of Parliament, and was
much impressed with the manner in which, in this superb and
commodious legislative chamber, the discussions were carried on.
There was a quiet dignity of debate, as well as business-like capacity
and orderly tone, observed on both sides of the House, which might be
copied with advantage, as it is in striking contrast to much of the
practice, in the Parliament of Great Britain. It is certainly satisfactory to
notice, that the modern manners and customs, in the popular branch of
our own ancient national assembly, which so frequently fail in
orthodox propriety, have not been imitated in the Cape