via iNTRODucTioir, 

 • 



moment when the fea, by the violence of 

 the furf, has aitained to its utmoft degree of 

 elevation. This manner of landing is in- 

 geniousj though very inconvenient, on ac- 

 count of the vibratory motion of the ladder, 

 and the fliocks it experiences by the agita- 

 tion of the fea: but the furf is here fo 

 ftrong, and breaks againft the (hoTt with 

 fuch violence, that without this expedient 

 communication between the town and the 

 harbour would be frequently interrupted. 



The volcano of the ifle of Bourbon, 

 though its eruptions are very common, has 

 never occafioned any devaftation fince the 

 place was inhabited. The planters have 

 had the prudence to remove from this for- 

 midable gulf, accefs to which is fo dan- 

 gerous, if we may judge from the defcrip- 

 tion given of it by that learned naturalift, 

 Mr. Commerfon. 



M» de Cremont, then intendant of the 



ifle 



