THE ISLAND OF MAUTIXIQUE 349 



civil, and the charge foi' a native in the last is twenty-five 

 cents a day. At the two prisons the discipline is very 

 mild. France also encourages agriculture by giving a 

 bounty of ten cents for every coffee- and cocoa-tree. This 

 is to prevent the exclusive cultivation of the sugar-cane. 

 There isalso a colonial hank, the object of which is to assist 

 the planters; experts determine the value of crops, and 

 the bank advances one third their value. If the obliga- 

 tion is not met by the crops, the bank carries over its 

 claim on the valuation of the next year's crop. 



An excellent system of highways has reduced the diffi- 

 culty of traveling across the rugged island. Transporta- 

 tion is also carried on by small coasting-vessels, although 

 on the eastern side of the island this is especially difficult, 

 as the cargoes have to be carried through the surf on the 

 backs of men, or pushed by swimming negroes in small 

 boats through the water. 



France has always nurtured this colony with a tender, 

 loving hand, giving it the best of administrations, helping 

 it freely when in distress, and protecting its industries 

 wherever possible. In 1896 she assisted it to the extent of 

 $659,500. 



The large towns are St. Pierre and Fort-de-France, < >n the 

 leeward side, and Grande Anse, on the windward shore. 

 St. Pierre, on the west side (population 25,382), is the prin- 

 cipal city. It is built on cliffs overlooking the hay of the 

 same name, which is nothing more than a very slight curve 

 in the shore-line, vessels having to anchor in the open 

 roadstead. It is a picturesque and beautiful place, with 

 neat public buildings and an interesting Creole population. 

 The town has a handsome cathedral and other public 

 buildings. Ilearn thus describes it: 



The quaintest, queerest, and the prettiesl withal, among West 

 Indian cities; all stone-bnill and stone-flagged, with very narrow 

 Btreets, wooden or zinc awnings, and peaked roofs of red tile, 

 pierced by gabled dormers. Most of the buildings are painted in 



