72 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
.bomsied 
CHAPTER HI. 
Manners of the Inhabitants.—Account of the Blacks.—Theory of the Island, and 
its Caverns.—Some general Observations on the Isle of France, by M. le Gentil. 
—Luminous Globes , &c. 
The Isle of France was an absolute desert when Mascaregnas discovered it. The 
French who first established themselves there, were certain planters from the Isle 
of Bourbon, who brought with them simplicity of manners, good faith, an hospitable 
disposition, and an indifference for riches. M. de la Bourdonnais, who may, in 
some degree, be considered as the founder of this colony, brought some workmen 
along with him. When, however, he had rendered this island interesting by his 
labours, and it was thought convenient as a staple for ,their commerce of the‘Indies, 
persons of all conditions settled in it. 
The agents of the Company, who possessed all the principal employments in the . 
island, exercised too much of that financial disposition, which is discouraging to 
those who are employed in cultivating the earth. The whole of the public establish¬ 
ment was at their disposal; they, at the same time, controlled the police, the civil 
administration, and magazines of the island; some of them cleared the land and 
built houses, all of which they disposed of, at a very high price, to those who had 
ventured hither, in hope of advancing their fortune. There was consequently a 
great outcry against them; but the power was in their hands, and complaint was of 
no avail. 
Several persons in the marine service of the Company settled here. They had 
long complained, that while they encountered dangers and suffered fatigues in sup¬ 
port of the East Indian commerce, others acquired the honours and emoluments of 
it. As this settlement was so near to India, a sanguine hope of advantage from fix¬ 
ing in it animated their mind, and they became its inhabitants. 
Several military officers of the Company arrived here; they were very respectable 
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