5*6 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
Observations on the Isle of France, by M. de Cossigny.* 
“0» approaching the Isle of France, you must keep to windward, because the 
port, which is frequented by the larger vessels, is to leeward : when the wind is not vio¬ 
lent, the air is embalmed with the perfumes of flowers with which the trees of the 
island are' covered. The same odours are perceived along the island of Ceylon, when 
the winds blow from the land. This effect was falsely attributed to the cinnamon 
tree, which forms a part of the forests of this island, as its flowers have a fetid smell. 
The effluvia from the land are carried by the winds very far to sea * and sometimes 
produce very sudden and unexpected effects. I saw one of this kind, which is not 
very uncommon. A German soldier, a passenger on board of our vessel, about 
seven or eight and twenty years old, died suddenly in sight of the little isle of 
Rodriguez, and about a hundred leagues distant from the Isle of France. He had 
some slight symptoms of the scurvy, but he was not on the sick list, nor did he 
appear to have any unfavourable symptoms. 
“ It belongs, in the first place, to the physician to inform us of the necessary pre¬ 
servative against such an attack; but were an unprofessional person permitted to give 
his opinion in so important a matter, I should be inclined to think that a slight purge 
administered to such as were afflicted with the scurvy, some days before they come 
in sight of land: the daily use of smoking, of coffee, and a mucilaginous phtisan, 
sweetened with sugar or honey, with moderate use of spirits of geneva, fumigations, 
and general exercise, but repeated several times in the day, might prevent the effects 
of such a revolution in the human frame as has been just mentioned. 
u The Isle of France, from its two ports, the one to windward, and the other to 
leeward, of the island, though they have hitherto been too much neglected, will be¬ 
come the mother of the colonies which France ought to establish in the East Indies, 
if she is anxious to increase her commerce and her power. 
* M. de Cossigny was Governor of the Isle of France in the year 17915 and is a man full of 
knowledge and philanthropy. See his Voyage a Canton, printed at Paris in the year 1799. 
Vavx. 
