CHAP. IV. 
CHOLERA IN PORT LOUIS. 
ill 
and filled with flowers of the amaranthine species, which are 
frequently renewed. Amongst the graves suggestive of deep 
interest to me, I noticed that of Harriet Newel, wife of one of 
the first missionaries from America to India. A plain white 
marble slab, sent from her native country, covers her remains, 
which rest near the trunk of a large filao tree, Casuarino. 
A light iron railing surrounds the stone. 
As the season favourable for visiting Madagascar was now 
approaching, I sent a letter on the 9th of May to the autho¬ 
rities at Antananarivo, informing them of my intention to 
proceed to Tamatave in the course of a month, and asking 
permission to visit the capital. 
But some degree of apprehension began about this time 
to be felt by the inhabitants, in consequence of two cases 
of Asiatic cholera having occurred at Crrande Riviere, two 
miles from the town. Two vessels from India had recently 
arrived with Indian labourers on board, among whom, it was 
reported, this disease existed. 
Prompt measures were taken by the government and the 
municipality to arrest the progress of the disease and to mi¬ 
tigate its force. The prisoners in the jail, among whom the 
first cases in the town had appeared, were removed on board a 
vessel in the outer harbour, hired for the occasion, and other 
sanitary measures were adopted. Still the cases continued 
to increase in number. The average deaths in Port Louis 
had been seventy in the course of a month, but before the 
end of another month they exceeded that number daily. On 
the 28th of May there were eighty-six deaths, and one hun¬ 
dred and three interments. The weather at this time was 
extremely sultry, with a westerly wind. It was said 10,000 
persons had fled from Port Louis during the previous two 
days. The weather subsequently became somewhat cooler; 
but still the ravages of the cholera increased. 
