REUNION 185 
society of savants, among whom we may emphasize such 
well-known names as Coquerel and Vinson. 
The religious life is regulated by the higher and lower 
orders of Catholic clergy. There was formerly an Apos¬ 
tolic Prefect at the head of the Catholics, who number 
over 100,000; since 1850 the colony has been raised to 
a bishopric and embraces 51 parishes with 72 priests. 
Besides these there are several religious organizations 
engaged in education or works of benevolence. 
The political institutions permit to the colony a certain 
freedom of action which stands in advantageous contrast 
with the centralisation of the mother country. 
At the head there is a gfovernor who is subordinate 
to the PTench Ministry of Marine. At his side is a Council, 
which on special questions admits the Bishop, the Rector 
of the schools and the head of the Immigration Office to 
its deliberations. The Director of the Interior looks after 
administrative matters. His position corresponds some¬ 
what to that of a prefect. The administration of the 
interior is divided into two wards (Arrondissement du 
Vent and Sous le Vent), each of which has several parishes. 
These last are governed by parish councils nominated 
by the electors The administration of justice is placed 
under a special Procurator-General. 
The military establishment is limited to some 500 
marines and one battery of artillery, to which may be 
added the police, 170 in number, as well as the militia. 
Among foreign States America, England, Italy, Portugal 
and Belgium maintain consulates at Reunion. 
The history of the island is rich in noteworthy details 
and vicissitudes. Many doughty forces have co-operated 
in the development of the colony, which reached its 
highest point at the middle of this century. 
The island was originally called Santa Apollonia; this 
was the name by which the Portuguese had christened 
it on its discovery. In 1545 it received the name 
