556 
ACCOUNT OF THE ISLE OF FRANCE. 
ply was, they had no money to build another, nor were any 
applications made to the inhabitants for the necessary aid. 
The higher class of inhabitants have their houses without 
the skirts of the town. Many of them are handsome within, 
but generally have a mean appearance from being built of 
wood ; many of the houses have small gardens attached, which 
tend much to enhance their value. 
TLhe Champ de Mars is the only place on the island ex- 
clusively appropriated to the use of the public. It is a spa- 
cious plain, nearly square, and bounded by hills, at the foot 
of which are many elegant cottages and other buildings, that 
give to the whole an enchanting appearance. 
Towards the upper or south east side of Cliamp de Mars 
stands part of a superb monument, erected in honour of a 
former governor general : the building has been begun upon 
a grand scale, but the expense to finish the whole far exceed- 
ing the subscriptions, they have been under the necessity of 
giving up the undertaking. 
In this beautiful spot the inhabitants, when the weather 
permits, meet in parties for hearing military music, prome- 
nading, riding, &c. and seldom retire till late : then begin 
their balls, concerts, &c. which generally continue till a late 
hour the next morning. The French on the island devote 
the whole of their evenings to amusements. The large theatre 
is open every night either for balls or theatricals. 
This propensity for amusements is habitual among the old 
as well as the young. Their minds, in consequence of the 
want of religious and moral instruction, are depraved, im- 
moral, and irreligious, to the utmost possible extent. There 
are, however, a few among them that are intelligent, scien- 
tific men, who contribute to the support of an excellent 
library, kept open for the use of the public ; but these, com- 
pared with the great mass of the inhabitants, are few indeed. 
In general, the female part of the community receive but 
a slender education : exterior accomplishments and appear- 
ance are the main objects of all their pursuits. If a lady can 
dance, sing, and play music well, her education is finished, 
and she is launched out into society, with a vacant mind, un- 
susceptible, perhaps, of those sentiments of virtue and prin- 
ciple so essentially necessary to the support of the female cha- 
racter. The education of the young men is not less slender. 
Some families, however, have taken particular care in the edu- 
cation of their sons ; and such of them as have had that ad- 
vantage have given proofs of being possessed of minds of no 
ordinary stamp. 
