80 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 



CHAP. IV. 



Visit to the Governor at Rediiit. — Luxuriance of Tropical Vegetation. — Plants 

 and Flowers from Europe and Asia. — Arrival of a Missionary from India. — 

 Proposed Efforts for the religious Instruction of the Coolies. — Efforts on 

 behalf of the Ci'eole Population of Grande Riviere. — Photography in the 

 Tropics. — Visit to Mr. Cheron at Plaines Wilhelms. — Fete of the Chil- 

 dren in the School. — Sugar Works on the Estate. — Place of Worship for 

 the Malagasy. — Excursion to the Country. — Spice Plantations at Grande 

 Donjon. — Preparations for the Feast of the New Year. — Permission given 

 to bury the Skulls of English and Frenchmen fixed on Poles at Tamatave. — 

 Visit to Beau Bassin and Wolraar. — Magnificent Species of Artocarpus. — 

 Effects of frequent Hurricanes. — Heat of the Weather. — Preparation for a 

 Hurricane. — Visit to the Royal Gardens at Pamplemouscs. — Splendid 

 Avenue of Palms. — Missionary Stations in the Countiy. — Missionary An- 

 niversary at Port Louis. — The Cemetery. — Fearful Ravages of the Cholera 

 at Mauritius. — Departure for Madagascar. 



The Grovernor of JNIauritius, Sir J. M. Higginson, had, since 

 my return, requested to be furnished with a statement of the 

 more general results of our visit, and I went about this time 

 to sj)end two or three days with him at Eeduit, his country 

 residence on the borders of Plaines Wilhelms, and about seven 

 miles from Port Louis. On arriving I received a very cordial 

 welcome, and at dinner in the evening I met Mr. and Mrs. 

 Rawson, Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Tupper. Mr. Eawson, whose 

 hospitality I had already experienced at Cerne, his charming 

 residence on the northern border of Plaines Wilhelms, was the 

 treasurer of the colony, and Mr. Kerr the auditor-general. Mr. 

 Tupper, an invalid clergyman, travelling for his health, was 

 brother to the author of " Proverbial Philosophy " and other 

 well-known publications. The- evening passed very pleasantly, 

 conversation being occasionally enlivened by music and sing- 

 ing. The temperature of the rooms was delightful. Eeduit 



