JtÔ STUDIES OF NATURE. 



*' ifland, fituated on the road to India, what Eu- 

 *' ropean will deign to take an intereft in the def- 

 " liny of a few obfcure individuals ? Nay, who 

 " would fubmit to live here, though in happinefs 

 ** and content, if poor and unknown ? Men are 

 *' defirous of knowing only the hiftory of the 

 *' Great, and of Kings, which is of no ufe to 

 *' any one." ** Father," replied I, " it is eafy 

 *' to difcern from your air, and your ftyle of con- 

 •* verfation, that you muft have acquired very ex- 

 ** tenfive experience. If your leifure permits, 

 " have the goodnefs to relate to me, I befeech you, 

 *' what you know of the ancient inhabitants of this 

 " defertj and be aflured, that there is no man, 

 " however depraved by the prejudices of the 

 ** World, but who loves to hear of the felicity 

 ** which Nature and Virtue beftow." Upon this, 

 like one who is trying to recolle-il certain particular 

 circumflances, after having applied his hands for 

 feme time to his forehead, the old m^n related 

 w^hat follows. 



In ?he year 1735, a young man of Normandy, 

 called De la Tour, afcer having, to no purpofe, fo- 

 licited employment in France, and aflîftance from 

 his family, determined to come to this ifland, in 

 the view of making his fortune. He brought along 

 with him a young wife, whom he paffionately 

 loved, and who returned his affedion with mutual 



ardor. 



