112 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
]82i. pears to have been drawn up with much cor- 
Sept. 27. rectness and judgment, and is, even at the pre- 
sent day, so descriptive of the island, as to 
be considered both by the English and French 
residents of Port Louis, as the best that has yet 
been given to the world. Many alterations and 
considerable improvements have, however, taken 
place since his departure, and among the latter, 
the improved system of the culture of the sugar 
cane, and the introduction of modern machinery 
into their mills, may be particularly mentioned. 
These have been effected entirely by the political 
changes that have, since Captain Flinders’s cap- 
tivity, taken place in the government of the 
island; and by the example and exertions of the 
English, who possess very large plantations, and 
indeed may be considered now as the principal 
proprietors of the land. 
For some years past coffee has entirely failed 
upon the island, and cotton is seldom seen grow- 
on the leeward side of the island abreast of Captain Flinders’s re- 
sidence, sent a boat to the appointed spot, which was six miles only 
from Madame d’Arifat’s house ; but after waiting- until near daylig-ht 
without the captain making- his appearance, the boat returned to the 
vessel, which was oblig-ed to pursue her voyag-e to prevent suspicion. 
It is almost needless to add, that Captain Flinders did not think 
it consistent with his feeling-s to take advantag-e of the opportunity, 
nor to effect his escape from imprisonment by a conduct so dis- 
g-raceful to the character of a British officer, and to the honourable 
profession to which he belong-ed, 
