HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
106 
builders. The trunks of the lataniers formed the walls, and the leaves of the same 
tree covered the roofs. The huts were at some distance from each other; and a 
palisade inclosed our gardens. Near the water was the town-house, where our 
little republic used to assemble to deliberate principally concerning the affairs of 
the kitchen. This building was twice the size of the others. Here our food 
was prepared; and under a large tree beside the hut we used to eat it. This tree 
spread its thick branches over us, and defended us from the heat of the climate. 
It was in the trunk of this tree that we scooped a niche, as a receptacle for those 
memorials which I shall particularize in a future page. 
“ On the other side of the water, exactly opposite to the building which we called 
the public hotel, was the public garden. It was a spot of fifty or sixty feet square, 
surrounded by a palisade about six feet high, and formed in such a manner as to 
prevent the smallest tortoises from passing through it. 
“ The hut of M. le Guat was situate between two flower gardens, and rested against 
a large tree, which protected it on the side of the sea. This tree yielded a fruit, 
which bore some resemblance to an olive, and whose kernel was a favourite food of 
the parroquets. 
" A little lower, and nearer the water, was the abode of M. de la Case.* This 
brave man, who is at present in America, had been an officer in the troops of 
Brandebourg, and knew what it was to live in tents. 
** On the other side of the rivulet, between the little island and the public garden, 
M. Testard erected his habitation: his sad fate will soon be related, and the most 
sincere regret which will ever accompany the remembrance of that amiable and 
gallant man. 
“ M. M. B***le and Boyer inhabited the same dwelling, which they had erected 
at a small distance from the brook, and nearer to the sea. The latter of them died 
in this island, and his ashes repose there. The epitaph which was inscribed on his 
distant tomb, declares our opinion of his excellence. The former still lives. When 
we were at this island he was not more than twenty years of age; but, while he 
possessed the vivacity natural to his period of life, he had the composure, mildness, 
and discretion of a more prolonged experience. He had received a good educa¬ 
tion ; and the advantages he had derived from it he was ready to communicate to all 
around him. It was principally to his inventive genius that we were enabled to 
* The names of La Case, and Testard, continue to be well known in the Isles of Madagascar, 
France, and Bourbon. 
