Wilhems Plains.'] 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
431 
for both islands. In other parts the plantations are scattered irre- 
gularly ; and although half a dozen houses may sometimes be found 
near together, families within a mile of each other are considered 
as next door neighbours. There being few tradesmen except in the 
town, the more considerable planters have blacksmiths, carpenters, 
and one or more taylors and shoemakers amongst their slaves, with 
forges and workshops on their plantations ; but every thing they have 
occasion to buy, even the bread for daily consumption, is generally 
brought from Port Louis. 
The produce of the different districts in Mauritius varies ac- 
cording to the elevation and climate of each ; and the temperature 
of Vacouas being better suited to European vegetables, the daily 
supply of the bazar or market with them, is a great object to the 
inhabitants. Owing to the bad roads and excessive price of beasts 
of burthen, the manner universally adopted of sending these supplies 
is upon the heads of slaves ; and the distance being twelve heavy 
miles, this employment occupies nearly the whole time of two or 
more strong negroes, besides that of a trusty man in the town to 
make the necessary purchases and sales. The distance of a planta- 
tion from Port Louis therefore causes a material increase of expense 
and inconvenience for this object alone, and is one reason why Vacouas 
is less cultivated than many other districts ; in proportion, however, 
as timber becomes more scarce in the neighbourhood of the town, 
the woods of Vacouas will rise in value and present a greater induce- 
ment to clear the lands. Timber and planks for ships, and also for 
building houses, with shingles to cover them, were fast increasing 
in demand ; and the frequent presence of English cruisers, which 
prevented supplies being sent from La Savanne and other woody parts 
of the sea coast, tended powerfully to throw this lucrative branch of 
internal commerce more into the hands of the landholders at Vacouas, 
and to clear the district of its superfluous woods. 
Besides various kinds of excellent timber for building, these woods 
contain the black ebony, the heart of which is sold by weight. The 
1805. 
September. 
