THE CYCLONES. 113 



Indian ocean^ that the Commodore scarcely entertained a hope of escaping from this region 

 without encountering one. These hurricanes^ at the season of their occurrence, (from December 

 to April,) form the great topic of interest and discussion to the Mauritians. In fact, they talk 

 of little else at that period. Meteorological instruments of every kind are kept in use and under 

 the most watchful observation. Nor is this great solicitude without reason, for these cyclones, 

 when they do come, are but too ajit to bring ruin and desolation to tlie merchant and planter. 



The immediate cause of these atmospherical phenomena has been supposed to be a disturbance 

 of the equilibrium in the air that takes place at the change of the monsoons. This period 

 of strife lasts about a month, and then the hurricanes rage with terrific violence. Kedfield and 

 Eeed, and others, have explained the laws by which they suppose them to be governed ; and 

 their hypothesis in pei'fectly well known and understood by the Mauritians. The islands of 

 Mauritius, Bourbon, and Roderique, lie directly in their ordinary track, and if either of them 

 happens to fall within the vortex of one of these hurricanes, the consequences to life and 

 property are terrible indeed. 



The natural interest felt in the subject, as well as its great practical importance, have given 

 rise to many discussions as to the best means to be adopted, should a vessel unfortunately find 

 herself within their sweeping influence or in their proximity ; and though these discussions may, 

 and doubtless will, result in a better understanding of the laws which govern tliesc winds, yet 

 it must bo confessed that some of them have rather a tendency to confuse the simjjle minded 

 and practical seaman, who, if caught in one of these storms, should undertake then to find 

 rules for his guidance. He can spare no time from the handling of his vessel, and however 

 plain abstract principles may be to him who is at leisure quietly to master them on shore, the 

 cabin of a ship in a storm is a poor school of philosophy. This, however, only shows the 

 necessity there is that the seaman who would understand his profession should study and master 

 all that science has brought to light, when he can do so on shore, and before he is caught in a 

 storm which demands its immediate application. However, the instructions given by the earlier 

 writers on these hurricanes are now more generally imderstood than they were, by the well 

 informed seaman, particularly since they have been further explained and simplified by the 

 more recent publication of Piddington. 



Of those residing at Mauritius who have earnestly studied and discussed the laws which 

 govern these storms, may be mentioned Dr. Thom, whose writings are well known. Lieutenant 

 Fryers, of the royal engineers, and Mr. Sedgewick, who has published a little work, which he 

 calls "The True Principle," and which has been reviewed by Dr. Thom; and, lastly, a Creole 

 gentleman attached to the observatory at Mauritius, Mr. Bosquett. 



This last named gentleman, who has translated into French Piddington's Horn book, with 

 annotations of his own, claims to be able, by careful and constant meteorological observations, 

 to foretell the existence of hurricanes in the Indian ocean, and to describe the course they 

 will take. The day before the Mississippi left Mauritius, he informed the Commodore that a 

 cyclone was then blowing in a direction E. by N. from the island, and that it would pass to the 

 southward and eastward. 



By reference to the chart in Piddington's Horn book it will be seen that these cyclones 



never extend to the northward of 10° or 12° south latitude, in the meridian of Mauritius. 



Therefore, vessels leaving tlie island in the hurricane season, for any part of India, should steer 



to the northward, passing well to the westward of the Cargados, a most dangerous group, thus 



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