CHAP. IV. 
RETURN TO PORT LOUIS. 
83 
they were covered with the richest verdure, amongst which 
hung garlands of graceful creepers, while arums often lined 
the borders of the stream, altogether affording most enticing 
bits of scenery, heightened in effect by the mimic cascades and 
waterfalls which foamed along 1 amongst the fragments of rock 
and stone. Near this scene I came, in the course of my walk, 
upon a sort of lady’s garden concealed by evergreens and 
flowering shrubs, and containing a choice collection of plants, 
many of them in flower, especially the passion-flowers of 
nearly every hue, and the rich crimson Poivrea coccinea , 
almost dazzling in the bright rays of the morning sun. 
In the vicinity of the house, on both sides, were a number 
of remarkable trees. A fine spreading banyan, not the largest 
I had seen, but one of the most perfect specimens of a young 
tree, attracted my attention, as well as a beautiful Indian 
acacia on the opposite side of the house, while the groups of 
magnificent sago trees were alike singular and beautiful. 
On returning, I was glad to unite in the morning worship 
of the family, which was conducted with great propriety and 
seriousness. At the breakfast, which immediately followed, 
the large dish of freshly gathered strawberries, with which the 
repast concluded, reminded me, in a very agreeable manner, 
as did many circumstances and scenes in Mauritius, of similar 
enjoyments formerly shared while residing at the foot of the 
Pyrenees in France. 
As the governor went on the same day to Port Louis to 
preside at the Legislative Council, I was glad to take a seat 
on the box of his carriage; and the day being rather cooler 
than usual, there was something quite inspiriting—reviving 
recollections of stage-coach days in England—in setting off 
behind four well-bred and well-appointed horses, in high 
spirits, and seeming as if they liked to hear the music 
of their hoofs pattering in concert as they trotted along the 
smooth macadamised road. 
