126 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
them possessed so much beauty as to deserve a particular description: it extended 
along the sea-shore to the left of the rivulet: it consisted of a natural avenue of 
trees, which was as straight as* if it had been planted with a line : it run parallel 
with the sea, was about twelve hundred paces in length, and might be continued 
for seven or eight miles. One side of this charming spot presented a vast expanse of 
ocean, whose tide, rolling over the breakers, at the distance of about a league, produced 
a confused but pleasing murmur : the other side offered a view of the most delightful 
vallies, which wore the appearance of beautiful orchards in the mild and rich season 
of autumn, and were bounded by a fine range of hills, that closed the prospect. 
“Among the great number and variety of trees which nature has lavished on 
this spot, there is one which deserves particular attention for its beauty, grandeur, 
and the symmetrical arrangement of its magnificent branches : their extremities are 
every where tufted in an extraordinary manner, while its large and thick foliage 
drops around almost to the ground; so that on whatever side this fine tree is ap¬ 
proached, a very small part, if any, of its trunk is perceptible. Within its shade 
there are branches that appear like timber work, expressly contrived to support the 
large tufts of foliage, which, spreading around form a kind of natural pavilion, the 
freshness of whose umbrage is inexpressibly grateful. The fruit, however, is of a 
sour, unpleasant taste, not unlike that of a ripe quince; but there is no reason to 
suppose it unwholesome: it grows in clusters, and appeared at a distance like the 
fruit of the anana. The leaves, which are of a fine green, have so short a stalk 
that they seem to be attached to the tree itself: the largest are four or five inches 
broad at the upper part, and terminate in a point, their length being about 'fifteen 
inches; while the fruit, which is of different colours, according as it is more or less 
advanced to maturity, appears between them. The whole presented an astonishing 
object of vegetable grandeur and beauty. 
“ In this solitary situation we amused ourselves with chess, trictrac, bowls, and 
skittles. Hunting and fishing, from their facilities, did not deserve the name of 
occupations: and to vary our amusements, we sometimes did not disdain to instruct 
the imitative faculties of the parroquets, which are so numerous in this island. 
“ During the last year we were often occupied in building the' boat, whose history 
will be given hereafter; and we lengthened out our day by the aid of our lamps, 
which were supplied with the oil of turtle. We employed burning-glasses to light 
our fires. 
