39 ° 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
CHAPTER XX. 
Life of M. V Abbe de la Caille. 
Nicholas Louis de la Caille, was born the 15th of March, 1713, at Rumigni 
Bourgade, in the diocese of Rheims, situate two leagues from Rosoy, in Thierache. 
His father was Nicholas Louis de la Caille, and his mother Barbe Rebuy ; and he 
was allied to many ancient and distinguished families in the Laonois. 
“ His father, who had served in the Corps of Gens d’Armes, as well as in the 
Artillery, enjoyed, in 1713, an handsome revenue, and led a retired life, which he 
varied by cultivating the sciences. He was an excellent mechanic, and invented 
several very ingenious machines. 
“ At a very early age, the Abbe de la Caille manifested those talents which pro¬ 
mised that he would one day be an honour to his country ; but a project in which 
M. de la Caille had engaged, and had absorbed, in a few years, the whole of his 
fortune, threatened to destroy the plan which he had formed for the education of 
his son. 
“ The late Duke du Maine, however, placed him at the head of an establishment 
which was about to be formed in one of the American islands. He accordingly 
repaired to Nantes, in 1725, by order of the Prince, with the design to embark for 
the place of his destination ; but on a sudden that plan was set aside, and he again 
found himself without situation or employment. The late Dutchess du Maine, 
then, received him into her service at Anet; where he greatly improved the 
revenues of his benefactress. He now renewed his attentions to the education of 
his son, and soon after placfed him with the principal of the college of Mante, on 
the river Seine, who was his friend. In the year 1729 he was entered as a boarder 
in the college of Liseux, where he greatly distinguished himself by his literary 
attainments. 
“ His inclinations appeared at this time to be directed towards the belles lettres, 
when he laid his hand by chance on the Elements of Euclid; and having made him¬ 
self master of them, without any assistance or instruction, his reason was captivated 
