520 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
islands, rising, like fairy lands, from almost the centre 
of the Indian Ocean. The chief of them are the 
Amirantes, Silhouette, St. Ann s, Pralin, and Mahe, 
the latter being by far the largest, and the one on 
which we made our stay. It is a charming place, 
both as regards its climate and scenery. Cloud- 
capped hills, rising to the height of 3,000 or 4,000 
feet; bold rocks, and perpendicular cliffs; smoothly 
rounded hills, clad with verdure ; grassy slopes, dark 
woods, fine plantations of cocoa-nut palms, luxuriant 
orchards of every description of tropical fruit, and 
thriving gardens ; gulfs and bays, beached with sil- 
very sand, and fringed with foliage of emerald and 
golden hues ; bluff headlands, dashing waves, snowy 
surf, an all-encircling sea, and ever-glowing sun, in 
every variety of relation, combination, and contrast ; 
altogether make up some of the most enchanting 
scenery to be found anywhere ; amid which one might 
revel for months ; of which we certainly did not weary, 
and which made our life at Mahe a really delightful 
episode to me. 
The town is called Victoria. It is built within a 
recess at the foot of the mountain, being in front 
only slightly raised above the level of the sea, but 
rising behind, in some places, a short way up the 
mountain's side. A good road or promenade follows 
the course of the bay in front, and the streets are laid 
out at right angles to this. An elevated road or pier 
was being carried out over the muddy flats to the sea, 
a work which, when complete, will be a great acquisi- 
tion to the place, as the approach to the town will be 
greatly facilitated thereby. For this and other im- 
provements the town will be indebted chiefly to the 
