Wilhems Plains .] TERRA AUSTRALIS* 
which had sailed from Europe in December. By this opportunity a 
confirmation of some, and an account of other victories gained over 
the Austrians were received, as also of the great naval action off 
Cape Trafalgar ; the bulletins of the former were inserted in the 
gazette of the island, but except a report from the officers of Le 
Redoutable, not a word of the naval action ; amidst such events as 
these, the misfortunes of an individual must be very striking to oc- 
cupy even a thought. 
In a visit to M. Plumet, and to M. Airolles, the proprietor of 
an extensive plantation called Menil, in his neighbourhood, I had an 
opportunity of seeing a rivulet, which for some distance runs under 
ground. The bed of this stream resembled a work of art, seeming 
to have been nicely cut out of the solid rock ; and close by the side 
of it was a cavern, containing layers of a ferruginous stone like lava; 
their combined appearance excited an idea that the canal might have 
been once occupied by a vein of iron ore, which being melted by sub- 
terraneous fire, found an exit, and left a place for the future passage 
of the waters. About one mile from hence, and in a more elevated 
situation, is a large and deep hole, of a form nearly approaching to a > 
perfect circle, and its upper part occupying, according to M. Airolles, 
the place of seventeen arpents of land ; I judged it to be two hun- 
dred feet deep, and that the loose stones in its bottom formed a flat 
of four or five acres, the angle of descent being nearly equal on all 
sides. The stones around, and at the bottom of this vast pit are 
more honey-combed than is usual in other parts, and much resemble 
those of the Grand Bassin, of whose nature they seemed to partake 
in other respects. 
M6nil comprehends a smaller plantation, formerly occupied 
by the unfortunate La Pe rouse, who was some time an inhabitant 
of this island. I surveyed it with mixed sensations of pleasure and 
melancholy ; the ruins of his house, the garden he had laid out, 
the still blooming hedge-rows of China roses — emblems of his repu- 
tation, every thing was an object of interest and curiosity. This spot 
445 
130 ( 5 . 
March. 
