91 — 
might make himself fully rcquainted with all questions relative 
to the welfare and progress of the Islands, and in answer, a 
lusty cheer rose from all present. In the avenue was a second 
triumphal arch with two flag-staffs displaying the English and 
American Ensigns. At Government House a tiffin was prepa- 
red, of which His Excellency and many of the principal Plan- 
ters partook. 
“As soon as the bustle of the procession hand subsided I be- 
gan to look about me and inspect the towa. Victoria was 
formerly called ‘L’Etablissement,’ but by special permission 
was named after Her Majesty in 1841. It lies on the S. W. 
of Mahe on a plateau between the base of the Trois Ereres 
Mountain and the sea. Nearly the whole of the houses are of 
wood, and few of more than one storey. All the streets are 
short, narrow and slope to the sea. A prufusion of fine flowers 
and trees flourish here, but I cannot say much for the order and 
arrangement of the gardens. It has two great advantages over 
Port Louis. The streams that flow through it to the sea are 
clean, not the filthy water courses offensive to the eyes and 
noses of the inhabitants of the city, as well as detrimental to 
the general health, and thus the harbour of Mahe avoids the 
pollution so fatal to that of Port Louis. Then again, the Sey- 
chellois wisely plant trees in their streets (instead of chopping 
them down) and I need hardly say how grateful is the shade 
of a Palm or Badamier to the pedestrian, if only for a few mo- 
meats’ rest. 
“ There are two sacred edifices, Catholic and Protestant. The 
Court House, Post Office and other public buildings have a 
general tropical character, i. e. rather shaky and time worn. 
They nre erecting a new Custom House, which when comple- 
ted, will be avast improvemnt on the old tumble down affair 
which has hitherto served as Douana. Government ITouse 
stands on a slight elevation and resembles an old fashioned 
country farm house ; hut it is embellished with fine trees and 
there are pretty walks about the grounds. In front is a very 
fair specimen of the Coco demer, but inferior in site and beau- 
ty to those of Praslin. The Cemetery struck me as very sin- 
gular. It was I believe during tho occupation of the French the 
