HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
from the changes and settlements that have taken place; as well as from the cessa¬ 
tion of the periodical hurricanes in the month of February, which have not happened 
for the last ten years: a very fortunate change, which has been attributed to the dimi¬ 
nution of the wood and the clearing the land: 
The port on the south-east of the island, called Port Bourbon, is in 20 deg. 30 min. 
south latitude. It has two entrances, but that to the west is by far the most com¬ 
modious, on account of its depth, though it is rather narrow. It is necessary on 
entering to pass near the small island which i& just off the shore; and, having doubled 
it, you must bear away to the east, to avoid the point of the reef to the west, and 
cast anchor in the basin in twenty or thirty fathom water. On entering the port you 
may distinguish the channel by the colour of the water; there being no danger which 
is not sufficiently apparent. The harbour is protected from bad weather by a reef 
of rocks, the greater part of which is visible at low water, and contains a small 
basin, in which vessels of any size may be careened. At the foot of the reef it is 
four fathom and an half water. It is, however, very difficult to get out of the har¬ 
bour, from the stationary nature of the winds, which blow into the port, and when 
they change, are generally variable, with occasional breezes. There is, however, 
another channel, which, if it were cleared, would afford a practicable passage,, in all 
weather; and were that necessary object accomplished, Port Bourbon would be the 
best in the island. 
The general state of the weather throughout the year is as follows. 
January.—Rainy and warm. Storms, which are sometimes accompanied with 
thunder, though by no means violent; and, as the tempestuous season approaches, 
all navigation is suspended till the month of April; when the fields become green, 
and the whole landscape assumes a more cheerful appearance. 
February.—Violent gales of wind, and hurricanes, with thunder. These hurri¬ 
canes, which, till the year 1789, were constant in this month, have since that time 
entirely ceased: but the inhabitants have not a sufficient dependence on this circum¬ 
stance, as to be wholly unprepared for them, in case they should return* and renew 
their former ravages. 
March.—The rains are less frequent, the winds always in the south-east, and the 
heat moderate. 
April.—The season is fine, and the grass begins to wither on the mountains. 
