5 i 4 
MA URITIUS 
CHAP. 
into the sharpest points. Masses of white clouds were collected 
around these pinnacles, as if for the sake of pleasing the 
stranger’s eye. The whole island, with its sloping border and 
central mountains, was adorned with an air of perfect elegance: 
the scenery, if I may use such an expression, appeared to the 
sight harmonious. 
I spent the greater part of the next day in walking about 
the town and visiting different people. The town is of con¬ 
siderable size, and is said to contain 2 0,000 inhabitants ; the 
streets are very clean and regular. Although the island has 
been so many years under the English government, the general 
character of the place is quite French : Englishmen speak to 
their servants in French, and the shops are all French ; indeed 
I should think that Calais or Boulogne was much more Anglified. 
There is a very pretty little theatre, in which operas are 
excellently performed. We were also surprised at seeing large 
booksellers’ shops, with well-stored shelves ;—music and read¬ 
ing bespeak our approach to the old world of civilisation ; for 
in truth both Australia and America are new worlds. 
The various races of men walking in the streets afford the 
most interesting spectacle in Port Fouis. Convicts from India 
are banished here for life ; at present there are about 800, and 
they are employed in various public works. Before seeing 
these people, I had no idea that the inhabitants of India were 
such noble-looking figures. Their skin is extremely dark, and 
many of the older men had large mustaches and beards of a 
snow-white colour; this, together with the fire of their ex¬ 
pression, gave them quite an imposing aspect. The greater 
number had been banished for murder and the worst crimes ; 
others for causes which can scarcely be considered as moral 
faults, such as for not obeying, from superstitious motives, the 
English laws. These men are generally quiet and well con¬ 
ducted ; from their outward conduct, their cleanliness, and 
faithful observance of their strange religious rites, it was 
impossible to look at them with the same eyes as on our 
wretched convicts in New South Wales. 
May 1st. —Sunday. I took a quiet walk along the sea- 
coast to the north of the town. The plain in this part is quite 
uncultivated ; it consists of a field of black lava, smoothed over 
with coarse grass and bushes, the latter being chiefly Mimosas. 
