1 69 1.] M. delon's account. 39 



place of our Habitation. The Wind seem'd to have a spirit 

 of Contradiction, and won'd not let us approach it, however, 

 we disputed that Matter so effectually with it, that, in spite 

 of its Obstinacy, we drew so near it as to perceive, after a 

 strict Examination, 'twas the same we sought after, and had 

 now found with equal Surprize and Joy. 



"We discover'd several Beauties in this admirable Country, 

 from the place where we stopt to view it : All that part of it 

 which presented it self to our View appear'd to be a Level, 

 with Mountains rising in the JNIiddle ; and we cou'd easily 

 discern the agreeable mixture of Woods, Rivers and Valleys 

 enamell'd with a charming Verdure : If our Sight was per- 

 fectly well pleas'd, our Smell was no less ; for the Air was 

 perfum'd with a Delicious Odour that ascended from the 

 Isle, and that plainly arose from the abundance of Limons 

 and Oranges which grow there. This sweet Odour struck us 

 all alike, when we came at a certain distance from the Island : 

 some agreeably complain'd, that the Perfume hinder'd them 

 from sleeping, others said they were so embalm'd with it, 

 that 'twas as much a Eefreshment to them, as if they had 

 been fifteen days a-shoar. 



The Account^ which Monsieur Dit Quesne order'd to be 

 publish'd of this Island, has not this Particular, but Mr. 

 Delon^ did not forget it ; and he even writes, that he believes 



Les maroniers par son esclaire 

 Jete souvent hors de contraire 

 Et de chemin les asseure." 

 {Lais inedits, M, F. Michel, Paris, 1836, quoted by Wm. Chapell 

 in Nature^ June 15, 1876.) 

 Perdre la Tramontane, equivalent to lose reckoning. "II ne plus 

 pouvoir s'aider de la boussole a cause d'agitation du vaisseau" {Littre). 

 In fact, they knocked about so much that the compass-bearings could 

 not be depended on. 



1 Vide ante, p. 2, and Appendix. 



2 Relation de Voyage, par M. Dellon, 2 vols, in 12, Paris, 1685. M. 

 Dellon writes: " For the rest, there is neither Serpent nor Scorpion, or 

 any other reptiles or Venomous Insects to be found in this Island, the 



