Treasures at the Castle of Good Hope / Skatte in die Kasteel de Goede Hoop – William Fehr

**Text presented in Afrikaans and English**

For the past ten years I have had the honour of placing my Collection on view in this, historically, the most important building of the Mother City of South Africa. In arranging the exhibits it was thought advisable to avoid a museum-like appearance and, instead, to invest the building with the atmosphere of the centuries it has witnessed, in its romantic setting on the shores of Table Bay. For these reasons, few of the articles displayed could be labelled in the manner generally adopted by educational institutions. This illustrated guide to the Collection should compensate for these shortcomings and lend added interest to the story which unfolds itself unobtrusively in these historic rooms. I trust this approach may be followed in a companion volume to illustrate the more comprehensive Collection of early prints and water-colours, none of which are included here.

The book has been planned with an introduction dealing with the “Background to the Collection” and covers the paintings, furniture, china, glass and silver to amplify the brief captions to the illustrations. To create a perspective of the periods into which the various exhibits fall, reference is made to some of the principal events leading to the settlement of the Cape and the historical significance of the Castle itself. Short chapters introduce the visitor to each of the rooms in turn and draw his attention to objects of special interest on view in them. It is hoped that in this way the book will fulfill the purpose of a guide and also be valued as a memento by those who have enjoyed their visit to the Castle of Good Hope.

The pictures in particular are the eye-witnesses of many gripping events and tell the story of the changing years and customs of their day. In this historical environment we share the hazards of the early navigators and explorers, and for a fleeting moment become partners in the adventure and romance of the cradle days of our country.