Page 529
An.1691
The Temperature of the Cape Climate.
but whether the Muslins were stoln by our own men, or the Dutch, I cannot say ; for we had some very dexterous Thieves in our Ship.
Being thus got safe to an anchor, the sick were presently sent ashore, to quarters provided for them, and those that were able remained aboard, and had good fat Mutton, or fresh Beef, sent a- board every day : I went ashore also with my paint- ed Prince, where I remained with him till the time of sailing again, which was about 6 weeks. In which time I took the opportunity to inform my self of what I could concerning this Country, which I shall in this next place give you a brief account of, and so make what haste I can home.
The Cape of Good Hope is the utmost bounds of the continent of Africa towards the South, lying in 34 d. 30 m S. lat. in a very temperate Climate. I look upon this latitude to be one of the mildest and sweetest for its temperature, of any whatsoever ; and I cannot here but take notice of a common prejudice our European Seamen have as to this Country, that they look upon it as much colder than places in the same lat. to the North of the the Line. I am not of their opinion as to that : and their thinking so I believe may easily be ac- counted for from hence, that whatever way they come to the Cape, whether going to the East Indies or returning back, they pass thro a hot Climate : and coming to it thus out of an extremity of heat, 'tis no wonder if it appear the colder to them. Some impute the coldness of the South Wind here, to its blowing off from Sea. On the contrary, I have always observ'd the Sea Winds to be warmer than Land Winds ; unless it be when a bloom, as we call it, or hot blast blow from thence. Such an one we felt in this very Voyage, as we went from Cape Verd Islands, towards the South Seas ; which I forgot to mention in its proper place, Chap. 4th. For