HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
An Account of the Isle of France , by Captain Munro. 
« Our ship approached the Isle of France towards the south-east, so that before 
we arrived at Port Louis I had the satisfaction of coasting more than one half of 
the island, by which I had an opportunity of gaining a particular knowledge of the 
different bays through which we passed, and of forming some conjectures upon the 
defence of which this important island is susceptible. The French have judiciously 
chosen this settlement as the chief residence of their Eastern government, for it is to 
them what Batavia is to the Dutch. The Mauritius resembles, though it is somewhat 
longer than the Isle of Wight.* The middle of this island is formed of mountains 
of rocks, which, in proportion as they advance towards the sea, diminish in a very 
picturesque manner, leaving between them vallies of some extent, which are well 
watered, and covered with wood. A continual moisture reigns on the summit of the 
mountains, which, upon several of them, and particularly in the vallies, renders the 
verdure as fine as it is abundant. The northern quarter being much more level 
than the other parts, seems to be well inhabited. Here the wealthy inhabitants of 
Port Louis have their country houses: their cattle principally graze on the east 
coast, the water and pasturage being better there, and in greater abundance, than in 
any other quarter. 
“ Our ship, although with a fair wind, was twelve hours in its passage from Isle 
Rodriguez to the bay of Port Louis, t Several small islands full of rocks run 
obliquely from north to west along the coast of Mauritius, at the distance, of about 
from two to seven leagues from the main land, among which there are so many 
whales which were so bold, that I often expected some of them, as we ran along 
the coast, would leap on board. 
“ The Isle of France is far from appearing so impregnable as it is generally 
• The Isle of France is five times more extensive than the Isle of Wight. This error, if it can 
be called so, in Captain Munro,. is very excusable. It does not at first sight admit of that common 
geometrical measure. He did not live long enough in the island to perform such operations-, and 
as a stranger, and particularly an Englishman, this verification must have been impossible for him. 
I have only made this observation in order that the reader may not fall into any uncertainty or 
error. See the observations of M* de la Caille. 
f Isle Rodriguez is one hundred leagues, or three hundred miles, distant from the Isle of 
France. 
