An Account of Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa, in the Years 1797 and 1798
Including Cursory Observations on the Geology and Geography of the Southern Part of that Continent

An examination (published 1801–4) of the Cape Colony on its acquisition by Britain, by an explorer, writer and diplomat.

John Barrow (Author)

9781108032773, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 September 2011

442 pages, 1 map
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.64 kg

Sir John Barrow (1764–1848) was a distinguished British government servant whose diplomatic career took him to China and Africa, and who in forty years as Secretary to the Admiralty was responsible for promoting Arctic and Antarctic exploration, including the voyages of Sir John Ross, Sir William Parry, Sir James Clark Ross and Sir John Franklin. This account of his time in Southern Africa was published in 1801, with a second volume following in 1804. Barrow's exploration of the Cape Colony in 1797–8 coincided with the imposition of British control in 1795 on a former Dutch colony, making this work an important source about this transitional period. Volume 1 begins with the history of the Cape of Good Hope, and its natural features, climate and inhabitants. Barrow then describes his journey inland, through the Karroo desert region, and his encounters with the European and African peoples who lived there.

1. A general view of the Colony of the Cape, and a more particular description of the promontory called the Cape of Good Hope
2. Sketches on a journey from the Cape of Good Hope, across the Karroo, or Arid Desert, to the Drosdy of Graaff Reynet
3. Sketches on a journey into the country of the Kaffers
4. Sketches on a journey into the country of the Bosjesmans
5. Sketches on a journey from Graaff Reynet along the sea-coast to the Cape
6. Sketches on a journey into the country of the Namaaquas.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]