XX 
PREFACE. 
First Letter of the late Baron Grant to his Father, on his arrival in the 
Isle of France . 
Isle of France, October 15, 1740. 
“ After four months and an half of a pretty successful voyage, I 
am at last arrived at the place of my destination. I avail myself of the 
first ships that sail for France to send you some news of me. 
“ I have here met with every thing equal to my most sanguine hopes. 
My uncle, who is in perfect health, received me in the tenderest man¬ 
ner, and shows me all possible kindness. We often speak of you, and 
you are never out of my thoughts, which, I flatter myself, you will 
most readily believe. I am never oppressed with sadness but when I 
think of the distance which divides us, the length of time which this 
separation may endure, and of the impossibility of receiving intelligence 
of you as often as I could wish. 
« You will see, by my journal, that I had, altogether, an agreeable 
voyage. 
M The description of the Island will follow my journal of the mari¬ 
time observations of the voyage,* because the first objects which natu¬ 
rally present themselves on our arrival in a country, are those which 
belong to local situation. 
“ I shall afterwards begin its history, the events of which I shall place 
in chronological order, from the epoch of its discovery; and I shall re¬ 
new my narrative on the arrival of Mr. de la Bourdonnais, of my friend 
Count 'de Rostaing, and myself, at the island: in short of all those who 
have contributed to its settlement, as well as of the Isle of Bourbon. 
“ In the mean while, until I am better informed, I can assure you 
* The journal and maritime observations are not printed in the present wor^, but may here¬ 
after Appear. 
