A JOURNEY TO CAPE TOWN AND THE DIAMOND FIELDS (1872)

Publisher's brown cloth binding with gilt titles on front panel and blind stamped decorations on borders.

[3]pp adverts + 218pp text + [10]pp adverts. Illustrated with 5 plates, being the frontispiece The Union Company's S.S. "Syria", Diamond City, New Rush Diggings, Sorting for Diamonds, and a map at rear indicating the route for voyages in and out between Southampton and Cape Town. 

Binding sound. Contents clean. Former owner's bookplate on front paste down. All plates retain their original loosely inserted tissue guards.

'The author left England on May 25, 1871, in the S.S. Syria, and arrived in Table Bay on the 21st of June, which constituted a record for the outward passage, and there is a short account of Cape Town and other southern ports, and of the Cape Colony and Natal. The most interesting part of the work, however, is the description of the diamond fields, and the journey up country. Captain Chapman took the East London route, via King William's Town, Burghersdorp, and Fauresmith, and a short stay being made at Jagersfontein, he gives a few details regarding that mine at a period when "you could get a claim for about a pound a month." En route to the Griqualand West diamond fields, the traveller stopped at a Dutch farmer's tent, and there is a quaint description of the beauties of the farmer's daughter. Although written in a homely chatty style, much information is afforded in this little book, and the description of Dutoitspan "in the early days" is both graphic and animated. Kimberley appears to have been unknown under that name, but the "New Rush" and De Beers' were fully recognised as wealthy mines, and there is a "digger's page" respecting the latter mine, which gives the names of the old pioneers. The place is depicted as in a hubbub of excitement, and the population is stated to have amounted to 50,000 people, an estimate which probably included the River diggings. It would appear, however, that claims could still be bought at extremely low prices, in spite of the wonderful finds of the diggers. Among other interesting items is the story of the robbery of the "New Rush" post-office, and it would seem that, despite the valuable nature of the mail, the post-office was not only not guarded, but even the windows were not secured, and the thief had merely to put his hand through, take "the packet which seemed the heaviest," and calmly walk away. Mention is made of the sales of diamonds by auction at Port Elizabeth, which appeared to be the method of disposal adopted by the local firms. It is recorded that, during part of a month, 23,449 carats were offered for sale, and it is interesting to note that the diamonds averaged over two carats each in weight.' - Mendelssohn Vol.I, page 320-1