"James, much against his will, appears to have been compelled to serve on board one of the vessels in Commodore Johnstone's expedition to the Cape in 1781, and took part in the engagements at Port Praya and Saldanha Bay. Theal remarks... "that he gives some particulars not to be found in the official reports of either the English or French Commanders. He describes also the capture of the Held Woltemaade, and the seizure of the Dutch Indiamen in Saldanha Bay. His account must be compared with official documents, however, as it is not strictly accurate." James gives a short account of parts of the Cape Colony, and describes some of the districts near Saldanha Bay as "a modern Eden""(Mendelssohn).

Scarce. ESTC on-line lists only 8 copies. Another, undated issue with slightly different wording to title and a subscriber list appeared in the same year which is equally scarce, again ESTC listing just 8 copies. No priority given.

First edition. 8vo., 232pp., portrait frontispiece, complete with half title, contemporary half calf, spine chipped at head, corners worn, slightly rubbed, marbled sides, a very good copy.

Mendelssohn I, 765.