Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. Off Bourbon--Quarantine--Bourbon and its advantages over Mauritius--At St. Louis--We go into dock--Mauritius and its society--The Race-course--Amusements and visitors--" Coming events cast their shadows before "--Preparing for a ball, &c--The fun commences--A wedding--Leaving Mauritius for Tamatave--The Bishop and party join us--The description of the country they pats through and the inhabitants--The "Father of Great Thoughts "--Our party is serenaded--Curfew at Tamatave. 27th July, Sunday.--At 10 this morning we find ourselves off Bourbon, where lay at anchor the French transport "La Gloire," the vessel bearing the Madagascar presents, Mr. L, and also the English Peninsular and Oriental mail-packet. Unfortunately there has been so much cholera lately at the Mauritius, that the authorities at Bourbon take the precaution of giving twenty-one days' quarantine to every vessel from that port, no matter how clean its "bill of health;" this, of course, precludes our anchoring. Having a mail for the island, we dash the contents of a bottle of vinegar over the parcel, throw it to the quarantine boat, and steam a-head. The island of Bourbon seems to consist largely of a range of rather high hills, the north-eastern slope of which is so beautifully gradual, that almost to the summit the plough is used to advantage. Apparently there is scarcely an acre of ground uncultivated, it is all of the richest green, and seems to have an advantage over Mauritius. The situation of the cultivated land, the healthiness of the climate, and the freedom from "ticks" and other noxious insects, so hurtful to cattle and horses, are all in favour of Bourbon; but it can never be made a great commercial place. The two islands started in the race of...
