476 A PLEASANT LAND. [chap. xxi. 



immense volcanoes, of wlilch the summits either have been 

 blown off, or swallowed up in subterranean abysses. 



From our elevated position we enjoyed an excellent view 

 over the island. The country on this side appears pretty 

 well cultivated, being divided into fields and studded with 

 farmhouses. I was however assured that of the whole 

 land, not more than half is yet in a productive state; if 

 such be the case, considering the present large export of 

 sugar, this island, at some future period when thickly 

 peopled, will be of great value. Since England has taken 

 possession of it, a period of only twenty-five years, the 

 export of sugar is said to have increased seventy-five fold. 

 One great cause of its prosperity is the excellent state of 

 the roads. In the neighbouring Isle of Bourbon, which 

 remains under the French Government, the roads are still 

 in the same miserable state as they were here only a few 

 years ago. Although the French residents must have 

 largely profited by the increased prosperity of their island, 

 yet the English Government is far from popular. 



May yrd. — In the evening Captain Lloyd, the Surveyor- 

 general, so well known from his examination of the Isthmus 

 of Panama, invited Mr. Stokes and myself to his country 

 house, which is situated on the edge of Wilheim Plains, 

 and about six miles from the Port. We stayed at this 

 delightful place two days ; standing nearly 800 feet above 

 the sea, the air was cool and fresh, and on every side there 

 were delightful walks. Close by, a grand ravine has been 

 worn to a depth of about 500 feet through the slightly 

 inclined streams of lava, which have flowed from the 

 centra! platform. 



May ^th. — Captain Lloyd took us to the Riviere Noire, 

 which is several miles to the southward, that I might 

 examine some rocks of elevated coral. We passed through 

 pleasant gardens, and fine fields of sugar-cane growing 

 amidst huge blocks of lava. The roads were bordered by 

 hedges oi Mimosa, and near many of the houses there were 

 avenues of the mango. Some of the views, where the 

 peaked hills and the cultivated farms were seen together, 

 were exceedingly picturesque ; and we were constantly 

 tempted to exclaim, "How pleasant it would be to pass 

 one's life in such quiet abodes !" Captain Lloyd possessed 

 an elephant, and he sent it halfway with us that we might 

 enjoy a ride in true Indian fashion. The circumstance 

 which surprised me most was its quite noiseless step. 



