HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
The lesser harbour, called Port Louis, is situated to the north-west, and it may be 
entered or quitted with a leading wind. It is situated 20 deg. 10 min. south lat. 
and 55 long..east of Paris. The larger harbour presents itself on arriving from 
the Cape of Good Hope, or from Europe ; whereas, to get to Port Louis, which is 
on the other side of the island, the circuit to be made is very considerable, as the 
current and the winds coming from the east, vessels find it absolutely necessary to 
bear away at least an hundred leagues, as high as the island of Rodriguez. A more 
particular description of these harbours will be given hereafter. * 
The principal town, or, as it is sometimes called, the Camp, because the Dutch, 
at first, formed a camp there, is situated at the extremity of Port Louis, and at the 
opening of a valley which is about three quarters of a league in length, and eight 
hundred yards in breadth, and is surrounded by mountains, which nature has covered 
with verdure; but as the grass, in the dry seasons, is oftentimes set on fire by the 
Maroon negroes, this part of the mountains assumes an arid appearance, which 
has deceived some navigators into a belief that this island was unproductive and 
desolate. The circle of mountains which form the valley of Port Louis is broken 
into various parts: that which rises to the highest degree of elevation, is terminated 
by an insulated rock, called Le Pouce. This part is also covered with wood, and 
contains the source of a rivulet which runs through the town. 
As to the town, or camp, it is composed of wooden houses, which have only 
a ground floor, on account of the winds and the heat. They are separated from 
each other, and surrounded with palisadoes. The streets are tolerably straight, and 
it were to be wished, that rows of trees were planted to render them cool. The soil 
about it is slightly sprinkled with rocks. The town has no regular fortification, but 
to the left of it in looking towards the sea, there is an intrenchment of dry stone, 
extending From the mountain to the harbour. On the same side is Fort Blanc, 
which defends the entrance; and opposite to it, on the other side, is a battery on 
the island of Tonneliers. 
According to the measurement of the Abbe de la Caille, Mauritius, or the Isle 
of France, is ninety thousand, six hundred, and sixty-eight toises in circumference ; 
* Port Louis, according to the observations of Mr. D’Apres de Mannevillette, in 1751, is 
situated 20 deg. 9 min. 40 sec. south lat. and 55 deg. 7 min. 30 sec. longitude east of Paris. Cape 
Malheureux, which is the northernmost part of the island, is 19 deg. 58 min. latitude, and the 
southernmost part is 20 deg. 31 min. These observations agree with those of the Abbe de la Caille. 
