GLEANINGS IN AFRICA:

xxi, 320 p., [8] leaves of plates: 1 folding: illustration, folding frontispiece. Cloth. Spotting throughout. Book plate of Professor F.C.L. Bosman (1898-1981), academic and writer, laid down on front endpaper. 

Full subtitle:  ... and surrounding country, with a full and comprehensive account of the system of agriculture adopted by the colonists: soil, climate, natural productions etc., etc., etc, interspersed with observations and reflections on the State of slavery in the southern extremity of the African continent, in a series of letters from an English officer during the period in which that Colony was under the protection of the British Government.

This work takes the form of 39 letters, the first beginning with the vessel leaving port in England and its subsequent voyage. The English officer describes life in Cape Town and its environs in an entertaining and detailed manner. For example, after a walk from Table Bay to False Bay, he observes the flora and fauna he encounters, the types of dwellings, agricultural pursuits and products etc with a keen eye. He climbs Table Mountain, visits Saldanha Bay, Simon’s Bay, Drakenstein, Wagen Maker’s Vley, Picquet Berg and the Swartland. He obviously moved in high circles at the Cape, as he describes gatherings in the Castle in careful detail and he also shows an awareness of the history of events surrounding the conquest of the Cape by the English in 1795. The frontispiece depicts the sinking of H.M.S. Sceptre in Table Bay in the Great North West Gale of 5 November 1799 (see Turner, M. SHIPWRECKS, page 124).  He provides intriguing views of the Boer, Muslim and local communities at the Cape; and whilst judgmental in parts, overall he shows a refreshing openness to understanding the way of life he witnesses. He was very opposed to the institution of slavery and in the text shows an in- depth knowledge of slavery across many lands at this time and in history.  A number of letters address this matter. His views seem to be partially based upon the belief that freeing the slaves will not only serve a moral purpose, but will also allow them to contribute more to society as individuals uplifting themselves; and this upliftment will also benefit the wider community.

See Mendelssohn BIBLIOGRAPHY volume 1, page 609, SABIB volume 2, page 357, Hosken CATALOGUE, page 81.