AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Containing An Historical View of its original Settlement by the Dutch, its Capture by the British in 1795, and the different Policy pursued there by the Dutch and British Government. Also a Sketch of its Geography, Productions, the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants, &c. &c.

With a View of the Political and Commercial Advantages Which May be Derived From its possession by Great Britain.

339 pages followed by 4 pages of the publisher’s catalogue, paper covered boards with brown cloth back titled gilt on a red leather label, edges uncut, bookplate on the front paste-down endpaper and a corresponding small stamp below the date on the title page, some very light foxing. Overall a good copy.

As a captain in the Eighteenth or Royal Regiment of foot, Captain Percival took part in the first British Occupation of the Cape in 1795. Under General Craig he led the attack on the fortifications of Muizenberg, and was the first officer to reach Cape Town. He remained at the Cape for two years. His book was published after the second British occupation in 1805 when there was a renewed demand for more detailed knowledge about the new colony. Theal is very harsh on the book describing it as ‘one of the most unreliable that has ever been issued from the press,’ but it nevertheless provides much interesting detail of the Cape at the time of the first occupation. This copy is from the first issue with the split heading on page 247 ‘CAPE OF GO ODHOPE’ uncorrected.