74 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
An hogshead of claret costs five hundred livres, and every thing else in propor¬ 
tion. It is scarce credible, that the merchandize of Europe is dearer here than in 
India; and that Indian commodities fetch a higher price here than in Europe. The 
maritime people are so necessary to the inhabitants, that they are held in great 
consideration. 
The greater part of the married people live on their plantations; and the women 
seldom visit the town, but when they are tempted by a ball, or are called to perform 
some essential duties of their religion. They are passionately fond of dancing; and 
no sooner is a ball announced, than they come in their palanquins from every quar¬ 
ter, as the roads will not admit of wheel carriages. 
The women have but little colour, but they are well made, and, in general,handsome. 
Nature has given them a considerable portion of wit and vivacity; and if their edu¬ 
cation were not neglected, their society would be very agreeable : they are very fond 
mothers; and if they ever fail in fidelity to the marriage vow, it is too often owing 
to the indifference of their husbands, or to the Parisian manners which have been 
introduced among them. Their ordinary dress is fine muslin, lined with rose-colour¬ 
ed taffetas. 
They possess, in a great degree, the more estimable domestic qualities; they sel¬ 
dom or never drink any thing but water, and their cleanliness is extreme. Their 
children are never confined in swaddling clothes, but run about almost as soon as 
they are born ; they are often bathed, and allowed to eat fruit at their own discre¬ 
tion. As they are left entirely to themselves, and are uncontrouled by the superin¬ 
tendance of education, they soon become strong and robust, and their temperament 
advances in proportion. The females are sometimes married at eleven years of 
age. 
There are about four hundred planters in this island, and about an hundred 
women of superior rank, not more than ten of whom live in the town. On firing 
the evening gun at eight o’clock, every one retires to his own habitation. 
The Blacks. 
Of the population of this island, we must consider the Indians and Negroes as 
forming a considerable proportion. 
The first are from the coast of Malabar, and are a very mild and gentle people: 
