AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

Late Civil Commissioner of Cape Division and Resident Magistrate for Cape

Town and District thereof, and Cape District.

Being a plain narrative of occurrences from early life to advanced age, chiefly intended for his children and descendants, countrymen, and friends.

First edition: 500 pages, frontispiece portrait, marbled end papers, book plate of Hans Sauer on the front paste-down end paper, half dark blue morocco with matching cloth boards, red title gilt with gilt decoration on the spine, the edges of the book are slightly scuffed, light foxing mainly on the preliminary pages, a good copy.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography volume 1 page 153 – 154 : A contribution to the history of the Cape Colony during the first half of the nineteenth century. The author entered the Civil Service of the Cape Colony when quite a young boy, and remained in the employ of the Government throughout the frequent changes of flag which occurred at the commencement of the 19th century. His father was minister of the Dutch Reformed Church at Stellenbosch, and a charming picture is drawn of the " old world " life of that village, and other parts of the colony at this period, whilst the description of the old Stellenbosch " Dominie " is particularly interesting.

When only about fifteen years of age, young Borcherds was chosen to accompany the expedition to the Bechuanas which was fitted out under the charge of Messrs. Truter and Somerville, Mr. Samuel Daniell, the well-known African artist, going with them as secretary. The results of their investigations appeared in the publication of " An Account of a Journey to Lattakoo, &c." (printed as an appendix to Barrow's "Voyage to Cochin China "). There is an account of their travels, which lasted a little over a year, and much is related respecting the Bushmen, Hottentots, Corannas, Bechuanas, and other tribes then inhabiting the regions traversed.