fl
DUKE UNIVERSITY
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LIBRARY
The Glenn Negley Collection of Utopian Literature
WORKS ISSUED BY
Cfjf I?alUu|;t ^Oftfti;.
THE VOYAGE
OP
FRANgOIS LEGUAT. VOL. II.
No. LXXXIir.
^m . J . IPa<7 . jj^ .
*v^
n)S
cm
^'V.l
THE VOYAGE
OF
FKANCOIS LEGUAT
OF BRESSE
TO
RODRIGUEZ, MAURITIUS, JAVA, AND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE FTUST ENOLISIl EDITION.
<i?t>itrir antr aiiinotatelt
BY
CAPTAIN PASFIELD OLIVER,
LATE ROIAL ARTILtEHY.
" Si forte necesge est Imliriis monntrare recentibus abdifa rcrut.
VOL. ir.
LONDON: rillNTEI) FOR THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY,
4, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C.
M.DCCC.XCI.
COUNCIL
THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.
CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, Esq., C.B., P.R.S., Phksidbkt. MAJOE-GENEBAt, SiB HENRY RAWLINSON, G.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., P.R.S
ASSOOIE EtBANGEB DE L'InSTITUT DB FbANCB, VlCB-rEESIDENT.
Lord ABBRDARB, G.O. B., P.R.S. , late Pbes. R.U.S.
S. B. B. BOUVERIB-PUSEY, Esq.
WALTER DE GRAY BIRCH, Esq., P.S.A.
Rear-Admibal LINDESAY BRINE.
ROBERT BROWN, Esq., M.A., Ph.D.
The Right Hon. Sib MOUNTSTUART E. GRANT DUKF, G. G.S.I.
ALBERT GRAY, Esq.
P. H. H. GUILLEMARD, Esq
R. H. MAJOR, Esq., P.S.A.
E. A. PETHERICK, Esq.
Loan ARTHUR RUSSELL.
ERNEST SATOW, EsQ.,C.M.G., Minister Resident in Uruguay.
S. W. SILVER, Esq.
COUTTS TROTTER, Esq.
Prof. E. B. TYLOR, D.C.L.
Captain Sir J. SYDNEY WEBB, K.C.M.G.
Captain W. J. L. AVHARTON, R.N.
E. DELMAR MORGAN, Honokabi Secbetaby.
31.'?8,^1
CONTENTS.
VOLUME II.
Table of Contents .....
List of Illustrations and Maps . . . .
Bibliography .......
List of Illustrations and Maps in Original Edition . Addenda et Corrigenda . . . . .
PAOB
vii
viii
ix
XV
xvi
Second Part.
Voyage from Rodriguez to INIauritius ; Adventures in that
Island, Java, and at the Cape of Good Hope . . 139
Return of the Adventurers to Holland . . . 304
Thanksgiving Ilymu ..... 304
Appendix A. — Abstract of M. J. Codiue's M6nioire on the
Discovery of the Mascarene Islands . Addendum. — On M. de Flacourt's Pillar
,, List of Bourbon Birds
Appendix B.— Relation de ITle Rodrigue Appendix C. — The Fauna of the IMascarene Islands Appendix D. — On Extinct Birds of the IMascarene Islands Appendix E. — The Gigantic Mascarene Tortoises
Supplementary Note by E. Delmar Morgan. — The Dugong Ilalicorc Dugong, Leguat's " JNlanati"
Index .....
308 317 819 320 341 359 373
378 384
313
VI 11 CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS.
Paut II. Doiniue Salva Nos, facsimile.— Frontispiece to Part II. Ilocher d'Exil, facsimile ....•• 139
Chart of Grand Port, by Lieut. Coghlan, R.N., 1877 . . 161
Mauritius, Ooster Haven, from Valentyn, facsimile . . 176
Fort Fredrik Ilendrik op Mauritius, from Valentyn, facsimile . 180 Le Geant, facsimile ..... ^09
Avis Indica, from CoUaert, facsimile .... 210
Cliart of Mascarene Archipelago, reduced facsimile from
D'Apros de Manuevillette ..... 309
Carte de la Reunion par L. Maillard .... 319
lie Gdant, Ideal restoration after Shufeldt . . . 359
/-Le G^ant, by Schlegel . . . , . .365
Insula Docerne, alias ^Mauritius dicta, from De Bry, facsimile . 371 Ingentes Testudinea in Mauritii insula . do. do. . 375
Skull of Manatee . . . . . .380
Skull of Dugong ....... 380
Skull of llhytina . . . . . . .381
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
List of Works and Authors alluded to in the present Edition}
AcADfeMiE DES Sciences. — Comptes-reudus ; Histoire et Memoircs.
Adanson, M. — Voyage au Senegal. 1757.
Alboquerque, Alfouso de. — Comnientarios. 1557.
Annales DES Sciences Naturelles.
AsTLEY, Thos. — A New General Collection of Yoyages aud Travels.
1747. AVEZAC, M. d'. — lies de I'Afrique. n.d. Bakek, J. — Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles. 1877. Balfour, F. H. — The Nanhua of Chuaug Tsze. 1881. Balfouk, Trofessor I. Bay ley. — Botany of Rodriguez. 1879. Bauonius, Cardinal. — Annales Ecclesiastic!. 1728. Barros, Joao, e Diogo do Couto.— Decadas da Asia. 1G28. Barrow, John. — An Account of Travels into the Interior of Southern
Africa in the years 1797-98. 1804. Bausset, Cardinal de. — Histoire de Bossuet. 1814. Bayle, Pierre. — Nouvelles de la Republiq^ue des Lettres. 1713. Beaulieu, Augustin de.— Expedition to the East Indies, 1619-22.
Harris' Voy., vol. i. Belcher, Sir E.— Narrative of the Voyage of II. M.S. Samaruixj.
1848. Berkeley, Rev. M. J. — Botany of Rodriguez, Fnngi. 1879. Bernard, Jacques. — Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres. 1718. Blackwood's JNIagaziue, September, 1889.
Blanc, Vincent le. — Les Voyages du Sieur Vincent le Blanc. 1648. Blume, ])r. C. L. de.— Flora Javae. 1828. Braam, Joan. — Kaart van het Eyland Mauritius. 1729. Brewer, Dr. E. C. — Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1875. Bridet, Lieut. — liltude sur les ouragans de rheniisphfere austral. 187(5. Bruggemann, Dr. F. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. Corals. 1879. BuFFON, G. L. Leclerc, Comte de. — Histoire Naturello, Generale ct
Particuliere, redigee par C. S. Sonnini. 1807. Butler, A. G. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez, Lepidaptcra, Orthoptcra
Hemiptera, Myriapoda, Arachnida. 1879. Butler, Samuel. — Hudibras. 1744.
1 N.B. — This list is exclusive of Authors and Works mentioned by Franyois Leguat or his Editor, in the original text, whicli are given on page XV, vol. i.
X BIBLIOGRAI'IIV.
Byrox, Lord Geo.— Works. 1837.
Caille, de la. — Sec La C'aillc.
Cami'Ukul, Thos.— Poetical Works. 1840.
Capk QrAiiTEULY Review. 1882.
Carhi:. — Voyage des Iiides Oriontales. IfiOS.
Castanheda, Fernao Lopez de. — llistoria do Descobriuiento & Con-
qiiista da India. l.'iGl. Cats, Jacob. — Wercken. 1655.
Cauciie, Francois. — Relation d'un Voyage en Madagascar. 1638. Cavenpish, Thos. — Voyages. Punhof. 1586. CiiAMisso, A. von. — See Kotzebue.
Ci.auk, J. W. — Zoology of Rodriguez. Osteology of Solitaire. 1879. CouiNE, J. — Memoire Geographiqne sur la Mer des Indes. 1868. CoLLAERT, Adrian. — Avium vivne icones. 1590. Columella, L. G. M. — De cultu Hortoruni. Poetaj Lat. Miuores. CossioNY, Charpeutier. — Voyage au Bengale. 1789. Choker, T. Crofton. — Tour in Ireland, by BoulIaye-le-Gouz. 1837. CuoMBiK, Rev. J. ^I.— Botany of Rodriguez, Lichens. 1879. Damiioldek, Joost de. — Practycke in Crimiuele saecken ghemaeckt.
1642. Dam TIER, W. — Collection of Voyages. 1729.
Dapper, O. — Description de I'Afrique. Trans, from the Dutch. 1686. Darwin, Charles R. — Naturalist's Voyage round the World. 1845. Davis, Sir John. — The Chinese : General Description of China. 1836. Davis, Captain John. — Voyages. 1600. — Ilakluyt Edtn. by A. II.
Markham. 1880. De Buy, Fratres. — India Orientals. 1590-1634. Dickie, Dr. G. — Botany of Rodriguez. Alf/ce. 1879. DonsoN, G. E.— Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. Mamiiialia. 1879. Dry'DEN, John. — Virgil's iEneid. 1696. Ovid's INIetamoriilioses.
1679. Duitois, D. B. — Voyage a Madagascar. 1674. EiJWAROS, MWne.—See Milne- Edwards. Encyclopedia Britannica.— Ninth Edtn Art. Birds. FiNDLAY, A. G. — Sailing Directions of the Indian Ocean. 4tii Ed.
1882. Fkeschot, Casiniir. — Remarques, Ilistoriques & Critiques, faites
dans un Voyage d'ltalie en lIoHande, I'an 17o4. Coutenant Ics
nioeurs de la Carniole, etc. 17()6. Gentil, Le. — Voyage dans les Mers de I'lnde. 1779. Giles, Herbert. — Gems of Chinese Literature. 1884. Gill, Mrs. D.— Six Months in Ascension. 1878. (Juant, Baron (Viscount de Vaux). — History of Mauritius. 1801. Gray, J. H., Archdeacon.-— Cliina : Tiie Laws, J\Ianners and Customs.
1878.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. XI
Gray, Albert. — Voyage of Fraufois Pyrard do Laval. Hakluyt Edtn
1887. Grube, Professor E. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. Annelida. 1879. Gulliver, G. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. TurbcJlaria. 1879. GuMiLLA, Joseph. — El Orinoco. 1745. GuNTHER, Dr. A. — Gigantic Land Tortoises. 1877. Extinct Fauna of Rodriguez. Birds, Reptiles. Recent Fauna.
Fishes : Reptiles. 1879. Hag EN, Stev. van der. — Beschrijving van de 2- Yoyagie met 12
Schepen. 1648. Hakluyt Society. — See Gray, Markham, Yule. Hardouin, Pere Jean. — Plinii Naturalis Historise Libri. 1685. Harris, John. — Navigantium atque Itinerantium Bibliotheca. 1764. Hedges, William.— Diary. 1688. Col. Yule's Hakluyt Edtn. Helmsley. — Vegetation of Diego Garcia : Linnxan Soc. Jourmtl.
Vol. XXII. Holcroft. — Translation of the Vandal Wars, of Procopius. 1653. Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton. — Introduction to Flora Indica. Iris, The.
JoNSON, Ben. — Neptune's Triumph. 1637. Jordanus, Friar. — Marvels described by. 1330. Col. Yule's Hakluyt
Edtn. Kotzebue, 0. V. — Entdeckungsreise in die Siid-See u. nach Behrings-
Strasse ; containing notes by A. von Cliamisso. 1821. La Caille, Abbe de.— Journal Historique du Voyage. 1763. Laval, de. — See Pyrard de Laval.
Legge, Professor J. — Life and Teachings of Confucius. 1867. Le Maire, Le Sieur. — Voyages aux lies Canaries. 1695. Le Sage, A. R.— Historie de Gil Bias. 1787. Levaillant, F. — Voyage dans rinterieur de I'Afrique. 1790. Littr^, E. — Dictionnaire de la Ijangue Fran^aise. 1869. Livingstone, David. — Narrative of an Expedition to the Z.imbesi.
1866. LuiLLlER, Sieur.— Voyage aux Grandes Indes. 1705. Macartney, Lord. — Embassy to China. 1793. &e Staunton. Maffeius, Joannes Petrus. — Historiarum Indicarura, Libri xvr. 1588. ]\Iaillard, L. — Notes sur Tile de la Reunion. 1862. Maimbourg, Louis. — Traite Historique de rEtablissemeut de Rome.
1685. Malmesbury, William of. — Do Gestis Pontificum. 1124. Mannevillette, D'Apres de. — Neptune Orientale. 1776. Manu, Ordinances of, by A. C. Burnell. 1884. Marcel, Gabriel.— MSS. 1890. Markham, Albert II. -Davis' Voyage. Hakluyt Edtn. 1880.
xil BIBLIOGRAPHY.
MaSKELYNE, N. S. — Petrology of Rodriguez. 1879.
Meldkum. — On Cyclonos in the Indian Ocean. 1874.
MELLIS.S, J. C— St, Helena: description, etc. 1875.
Mki.vim.i:, a. (i. — See Strickland.
MEKRiKir.i.n, Mary P. — Gulf-Weed. See \<ttiire. 1878.
MuiiKL, Francisque. — Lais im'dits des l^mc et 13uio Siecles. 183C.
MiEUs, E. J. — Receut Fauna of Rodriguez. Cni.flacia. 1879.
MiLMAN, H. H., Deau.— History of Latin Christianity. 1855.
MiLNE-EnwAKDS, Alphonsc. — Documents sur la Faune ancieunc de
I'ile Ro<lrigne. Ann. So. 1875. Mii.TOX. — Paradise Lost. Paradise Regained. 1G07-1671. Mis.«i(»N, Henri de Valbourg.— Memoirs and Observations in England,
translated liy Ozell 1719. MIS.SUX, Maximilian. — Nouveau Voyage en Italic. 1714. Mitten, W. — Botany of Rodriguez ; Miu^ci ; Hepaticv. 1879. MuLi.ER, Eugene. — Modern edition of Lcguat'a Voyage. N.D. MuKiE, Dr. J." — On Manatee. Trans. Zool. Soc. 1872. MrKRAY, John. — Structure and Origin of Coral Reefs. Nature. 1880. Naues, Archdeacon R. — Glossary of Words, Phrases, Names, etc.
1822. Neck, Jacob van — Vo)\age of. See De Bry.
Newton, Professor Alfred, — Memoirs on ]\Lascarene Birds.
Newton, Sir Edward. — Do. See Pro. Zool. Society.
NoRTiiLEiGH, Dr. John. — Description of the United Provinces. 1702. Harris' Vvyayes.
Nux, de \a.—S(e Le Gentil, 17G9.
Ogilby, John. — Description of Africa. 1670.
Oi.denland. — Flora Capensis. See Valentyn.
OuTELlus, Abraham. — Tlieatrum Orbis Terrarum. 1G06.
OsoiUL'P, Jerome.— De rebus Emmauuelis Regis liUsitaniae gestis, 1571,
Ozell. — Memoirs and observation?! of II. de V. Misson. 1719.
Pages, de. — Voyages autour du ]\Ionde. 1782.
Paiusii, Captain. — .SVe Macartney.
PfeuoN, M. F. — Memoires sur scs Voyages. 1824.
Phillip. — Voyage to Botany Bay. 1789.
PiCKEKiNG, Dr. Charles. — Chronological History of Plants.
Pike, Colonel Nicholas. — Sub-Tropical Rand)les. 1873,
PlNGufe, Abbe. — Voyage a Rodrigue, manuscript. 17(J()-(j;).
Plancilp, Petrus. — Maiipemonde. 1594, Sec Santarem.
PoiVKE, Pierre. — Voyages d'un Philosophe, 17G8.
PuiDHAM, Charles, — England's Colonial Empire : Mauritius. 1846,
Pkiok, James. — Voyage in ihe Indian Seas in the Nimtx. 1820,
PvKAKi) DE Laval, Franfois,— Voyage to the East Indies. 1601-1608. Hakluyt Edtn., by Albert Gray.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. Xlll
RoCHON, Abbe Alexis. — Voyages a JNIadagascar, INIaroc et aux
Indes Orien tales. 1791. Rousseau, J. J. — Q^^uvres. 1797.
Royal Society. — Philosopliical Transactions ; vol. 1G8. 1879. RuMPHlUS, Gr. E — Herbarium Amboinense. 1741. RupPELL, E. — Zoology of Northern Africa. 182G. St. Pierre, J. II. Bernardin de. — Voyage to the Isle of France. 1800. St. Vincent, Bory de. — Voyage dans les quatre priucipales iles des
mors d'Afrique. 1804. Santarem, Le Vicomte de. — Atlas compose de INIappemondes et
Portulans depuis le vi'' jiisqu'au xvii" sieclc. 1853. Sauzier, Th. — Un Projet de Republiquc a Tile d'Eden en 1689,
1887. ScHLEGEL, Professor H. — On Extinct Gigantic Birds of the INIascarenc
Islands. 1858. Sclater, P. L. — Editor of the Ibis. Scott, A. W. — Mammalia, Recent and Extinct. 1873. Scott, Elliot.— MSS. 1890. Scott, Sir Walter. — Ivanboe. 1819. ScYLAX, Periplua. — See Geographi Grgeci Minores, t. i. Shakespeare, W. — Plays and Poems. 1616. SilARPE, R. B. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. Bhuh. 1879. Slater, H. H. — Zoology of Rodriguez. Extinct Fauna. Observations
on Bone Caves. 1879. Smith, E. A. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. MoUiisca, Echinodcrmata.
1879. Smith, F. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. Ili/mcuoptcra, D/'pfcra,
Nenroptero. 1879. Smollett, Dr. T. — Universal History, JNIodern Part. 1784. Southey, Robert.— Thalaba. 1800. SPUR^VAY. — Relation of Dutch Proceedings at Banda and Lantore.
1620. See Harris'' Voyo(/cs, i. Staunton, Sir G.— Account of Earl Macartney's Embassy to China
1797. Stavorinus, John Splinter, Admiral. — Voyages to East Indies. 1798. Strabo. — Geographia. Strickland, H. E.,aud A. G. Melville. — The Dodo and its kindred, or
the History, Affinities, and Osteology of the Dodo, Solitaire, and
other extinct birds of the Islands Mauritius, Rodriguez, and
Bourbon. 1848. Stukeley, Dr. W. — Itinerarium Curiosum. 1776. Symson, Capt.— Voyage to East India. 1715. .See Luillier. Tennent, Sir Emnierson. — Ceylon : an account of the Island. 1859. Theal, George McCall.— Ilisstory of South Africa, 1691-1795. 1888. Thorn, Major Wm. — Memoir of the Conquest of Java. 1815. Tristram, Canon H. R. — Tlio Natural History of the Bible. 1877.
XIV BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Vai.f.ntvn, Fran<;ois. — Oml en Nieuw Oost-Iiulie. 1724. Van Ukaam,.!. — Kaart vim het Eyland Mauritius. 17'J'J. Van dkk llAfiKN. — Deux Voya^'cs aux Indcs Oriciitales. 1C12. See
Ilagcn, Sti'V. van dor. Vauim.as, Le Siour de.— Histoire Secrete de la liaison de Me<ilici8.
10H5. Varro, p. Terentius. Fragnu-tita. Vermeulen, C. — Carte de la Baye du Cap do Bonne Esperance.
1GK7. ViCENZA, Fracanzano. — Paesi nouaniente retrouati et nouo mondo da
Alberico Vepputio Florentine intitulato. 15()7. Wallace, Alfred.— Island Life. 1880.
Wateuhouse, C. O. — Recent Fauna of Rodriguez. C'oknptcra. 1879. W'EDGWOOn, Ilensleigh. — Dictionary of English Etymology. 1865. "NVeipe, Arthur James. — The Discoveries of America, to the year 1525.
1884. White, J. — Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. 1790. WiLCOCKE, S. H. — Ste Stavorinus. Wilkinson, Sir J. Gardner. — Manners and Customs of the Ancient
Egyptians. 1841. WooinvAHD, H. — On Sirejiia. Geol. Magazine. 1885. Yule, Colonel. — Anglo-Indian Glossary, 188G ; liakluyt Soc. edtn.
of Jordanus; Hedges' Diary, 1888.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS IN ORIGINAL EDITION.
Part I.
Frontispiece' ..... A Map of the Island of Diego Ruyz, or Diego Rodrigo^
The Flag of the "Swallow" with the arms of Du Quesiic aiK the motto Libertas sine Licent'm
A Flying Fish ....
A Sea Swallow, a Mullet, and a Flying Gurnard
The Dorado Fish and a Bonito Fish, taken in the Sea of Guinea
A Bonito taken on the Coasts of Kent
The Great Throat ....
A Sea Cow . . . .
The Bay of the Cape of Good Hope
Isle Bourbon, called also Mascarenas by the Portuguese
A Plan of the Settlement'
Kasta or Paretuvier, a Particular sort of Tree
The Lamantin
Tlie Solitary Birdi
The Succet or Remora .
The Pavillion, A Tree newly Discovered
Domine Salva Nos'
Nascimur Pares, Pares Moriniur. Enihli'm
The Monument or Pillar
1
ii
iii iv
V
vi
vii
viii
ix
X
xi xii xiii xiv
XV
xvi
xvii
xviii
xix
XX
' i Reproduced in facsimile
ii do. do.
xi do. do.
xii do. do.
XV do. do.
xviii do. do.
Ixix
1
41
64
80
frontispiece to Vol. II
XVI
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
IVmit TI The Rock of Exile' The Sea Serpent The Ananas Tlie Giant Bird' An Extraordinary Plant Extraordinary Plants The Hooded Serpent* An Extraordinary Ape of ye Island of Java A Lizard of Gilolo Divers kinds of Rhinoceros" A Hottentot Man in his Summer Dress^ A Hottentot Woman without her Petticoat^
XXI
xxii xxiii xxiv
XXV
xxvi xxvii
xxviii xxix
XXX
xxxi xxxii
' xxi Reproduced in facsimile .... 139 xxiv . . . . . .209
2 Compare plant behind snake with Goi/avier, p. 137 of De Rochefort. 1667.
3 Compare plant by side of Hottentot man with figure of Bananier in De Rochefort.
* Compare plant by Hottentot with figure of Papayer in De Rochefort's Jlisto'ire Natiirelle den Jks A nlilks.
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.
Vol. I.
List of Illustrations, p. viii. For "Higgins", read " Higgin"'. Editor's Preface, p. xi, seventh line from bottom, i^or "Van Kempeu", read " Van Campen".
Introduction, p. xxxiii, line 7. For " f uruishin", read " furnishing".
Author's Preface, p. Ixxx, line 12. Add note below : " Variety." In orig. : " avec une Vanite. Vide infra, p. Ixxxvi."
Vol. II.
p. 154, note 1. After " il prevint le pauvre la Haye"', add "i.e., he antici- pated or forestalled poor La Haye."
P. 164, note 2. For '' 157" read " 161". Add, " vide Hedges' Diarij, vol. ii, p. cccxxvii.^ — ' The Hollanders keejj up their Reputation still here in India especially among the Portuguezes, for having been so well beaten by tlieno not careing to heare of the Ffrenches Victory in Eurojie, and seeme to have ap absolute antipathy to that Nation.' "
Pp. 207-208, note 4. After " known as the Sambur", add " Tide ante, p. 96".
P. 209, note 3. i?t/ore " Writing in 1769", insert "In orig.: ' L'Isle (5toit autrefois toute remplie & d'Oyes & de Canards sauvages ; de Poules d'eau ; de Gelinotes. . . .' Vide ante, p. 81 et infra, pp. 334, 342, 343, 370."
P. 210, note 1. After " Appendix", add " D, p. 359".
P. 210, note 2. After " Appendix", add " D, pp. 369, 370, 375".
P. 210, note 4. After ^^ Coracopsis vaza", add, " = Palaornis eques"' ; and after "grey head", add " Psittacula cana".
P. 211, note 1. After "Dutch-pigeon", add "probably Alectoreenas nitidis- sima {P. Z. S., 1879, p. 2). Vide infra, p. 345."
P. 211, note 2. Dele " (Coq de bois ?)" ; and after "black-birds", add " Hypsipetcs olivaceus".
P. 222, note 2. A plan of Batavia, about the period when Leguat was confined there, is given in Lcs Forces de VEurope, Asie, Afriqve, et Aimriquc, published at Amsterdam by Pierre Mortier, after the year 1700, no actual date being given on the title. In this ])lan, probably drawn by N. de Fcr, or Beaulieu, Leguat's account is confinncd in every particular. The bastion of the fort to the N., " le Diamanf, to the E. "la Perle", to the W. "le Rubis". The II h
Xviii ERRATA FT CORRIGENDA.
south bastion ib fihown ns lurger than the others, viz., " le Saphii"'. Opposite the south bastion, bej-ond the ditch, is a wide glacis on the land side, on which is conspicuously marked I'Echafaut a /aire Justice, close by the stables of the Company's officials : — a significant indication of the cruel means employed by the Dutch to preserve a bloody discipline of terror over the slaves, Vjlacks and natives. A ditch is shown around the fort, but it does not wholly surround it, and was probably more in the nature of a shallow inundation, being at some little distance from the base of the escarp of the ramparts of the enceinte. Doubtless, it was often dry, which would account for the discrepancy in the statements.
P. 259, top line of notes For " Father de Baupet", read " Father de Baus- set".
P. 272, note. ^/ter"King of England", add "The Treaty had been signed on 11th Septbr.,four months before Leguat heard of it when near the Cape."
P. 298, note 2. After " Captain Stephen Poirier", add " Vide Hedges' Diary, vol. iii, p. xcvii, where Mr. Poirier is mentioned as Governor of St. Helena in 1704-5."
P. 358 " Oiseaux de Nazaret", line 358, add below note, " Cf. Bory de St. Vincent, vol. ii, pp. 305-306."
P. 374, line 18. " There is not a single living cxami)lc left alive at the present day." Add below in note, " The last tortoise was killed in lieunion, at St. Philippe, by a creole, towards the end of the last cciituiy (cf. Maillard, op. cit., p. 148). Bory de St. Vincent examined the car.apaces of two of these tortoises in the year 1801, which he figured and described as Testudo trica' i- nata testd ovata oblonffa tricarinatd, postice obtusd ilecemdc^itatd.'" N. PI. xxxvii, fig. 1. — {Voja'/e dans Ics quatrc principahs 'dcs dcs 7ncrs cVAfrltjue, vol, ii, p. 308.)
P. 40.''.. For " Iliggins", read " Higgiu".
THE
VOYAGE AND ADVENTURES
OF
FEANCIS LEGUAT, Etc.
PART II.
At length the time for our Departure came, when liaving reconiraendecl our selves to the Ahnighty Power, which even the Winds and Seas obey,^ we re-embark'd on our poor Gaily, the 21st of May, 1693. At first we only made use of our Oars, little or no Wind being stirring ; and also that we might more exactly observe i\\Q, Sea-marks'^ we had set up, by which means we in a short time safely pass'd the Ptocks and Shoals : But a Moment after, one of our Oars broke, as we were endeavouring to avoid the Rapidity of a Current whicli M'ou'd have hurry'd us into a dangerous ^^W^^; and the Calm rendring our Sails useless, we thought we must inevitably perish. True it is, we were all seiz'd with a great fright, and I dare say, not one amongst us but wou'd have prefer'd a favourable Wind to the finest Woman in the World. At last a small Gale'* arose, which assisted by our other Oar,
1 Vide L'Evaiigile selon S. Matthieu, viii, 27 : " Qui est celui-ci, que les vents uieuies et la mer lui obeissent ?"
2 In orig. : " les baliaes." ^ hi orig. : " ciidroit."
* In orig. : " un peu de frais s'eleva." Compare Southey's Thalaba, Vide infra.
'• The little boat rides rapidly, And now with shorter toss it heaves Upon the heavier swell ; And now so near, they see The shelves and shadows of the cliff, And the low-lurking rocks O'er whose black summits, hidden half,
140 FEARS AND APPREHENSION. [1693.
help'd US to escape the Rock. There was another Rock about two Leagues off, towards which the Current, which was stronger thau the Wind, was driving us; but the time we had to refit our Oar, made us likewise to escape that Danger.^ I am asham'd to tell that such was tlie blindness of our Owners, that they had not provided us above two Oars : They thought, I suppose, that Precaution would have been needless, because they reckoned upon a Trade-wind, which wou'd infallibly have blown in our Poop- ; but it was well for us, this instrument of our Deliverance was refitted, otherwise we had certainly gone to the Bottom, the Current dragging us along with lta])idity, in spite of the small Gale that assisted us. The Sea, which dash'd impetuously against the Iiock we were apprehensive of, roar'd terribly^; and the dismahiess* of the Night redoubled our Fears and Appre- hension ; nay, to compleat our Misery, the violent agitation
The shivering billows burst j —
And nearer now they feel the breaker's spray,
***** Now is the ebb, and till tlie ocean-flow We cannot over-ride the rocks."
' In orig. : "ce second danger."
2 In orig. : " parce qii'ils comptoient sur un vent o/<sc qu'ils auroient, disoient-ils, toujours iufailliblenieut en poupe," i.e., " because they relied on a trade-wind, which they would infallibly have (they said) always astern"; meaning that they would be always able to sail before the east trade wind, which should be constant. The translator's ex- pression, " blown in our Poop,'" may have been used in his day.
3 See Map, p. 49. "The position of the reef is indicated by breakers even in the calmest weather. The outer edge is tolerably steep too, except in a few places, but, witii the swell which generally rolls on to it, the sea often breaks in ten fathoms several hundred yards outside the actual shoal water. At ' Quatre vingt brisans', eighty breakers, the S.W. corner of the encircling reef, the edge is altogether broken \\\) into detached patches, and in this pait the breakers .are heaviest. These reefs have been the scene of several Avrecks, and it is remarkable that each vessel was reported to have struck at fifteen miles S.W. from land, although no reefs have been found to extend more than five or six miles off." {Findlay, p. 513. Vide svpra, Introduction, pp. xlix, 1.)
* In orig. : "I'inconvenient de la nuit."
1693] A. VIOLENT TEMPEST. 141
of our Vessel made us so Sea-sick,^ that we had hardly any strength left ; and our Interpreter^ himself, the Champion that had put himself at the Head of his Party, remain'd motionless in the Hold of the Ship. Then both he^ and the other contrivers of this Enterprize, had reason to be con- vinc'd of the vanity of their Imaginations, in that they had form'd to themselves an Idea of the easiness of this Passage, while not one of them, but wou'd willingly have return'd immediately back,'* had such a design been Practicable. But we were forc'd to continue in this sad Condition, from eleven a Clock at Night to two in the Morning ; at which time we found we had pass'd all the Piocks,^ by reason we heard no more the Waves beat against them. We had hitherto ply'd our Oars only,'' but now we began to make use of our Sails, and take a little P.reath. Next day we had the Wind very Variable, and for six days after, it was altogether against us ; which, as we since understood, is not a little extra- ordinary in those Seas.^ I remember we were oblig'd to throw our boil'd Provisions over-board being full of Worms, and reserv'd only a little Lamatin (a sort of Fish) broird,^
1 In orig. : "nous mettait dans un accablement."
2 In orig. : " notre harangueur."
3 Probably Paul Benelle. {Muller.)
■» In orig. : "en arriere et regaguer Pile; niais la chose etoit imiws- sible."
5 In orig. : " tons les pointes, & que nous 6tions assez avant en nier."
6 In orig. : " Nous avions toujours rame jusque la, mais alors, nous ue nous servimes plus que de la voile."
7 The south-cast " Trade-drift" current runs to the westward at the rate of twenty to twenty-five miles a day, between the parallels of about 8° S. and 27° S. It separates to the eastward of Rodriguez island into two branches, one flowing past the north end of JNladngascar at the rate of thirty-six to sixty miles a day, and the other past the south end. at the rale of about fifty miles a day. This current enabled Leguat'sboat to drift in the direction of Mauritius, in spite of the contrary wind. These temporary disturbances of the regular trade-wind are not very unusual at Mauritius from October to INlay. The Creoles term these warm breezes ^^ vents Mahjadus''.
* " Boucane." Cf. svpru., pp. 7(5, 108.
142 A VIOLENT TEMPEST. [1693.
and some Water-Mclojis, of wliicli we resolv'd to content our selves with two or three Ounces a Uay, to lenjrthen out our miserable Lives, in case we should have the Misfortune to over-shoot Isle Maurice, which was tlie nearest Land to us, and whither we were bound. This doubt of ours was well grounded, and 'twas no less than a Miracle, that we lit upon that Lsland, as I shall satisfie you more at large hereafter. The AVind which we had had almost contrary, even to the beginning of the eighth day of our setting Sail, was suc- ceeded by a violent Tempest. The day began bright enough, but towards Noon the Heavens lour'd, and pour'd down such a prodigious quantity of Water, tliat our small Vessel had been soon filled with it, had not we labour'd incessantly at the Pump.^ This Eain lasted above four Hours without any other Storm ; but as soon as Night came, the Wind arose, and that feeble Light we had remaining, was follow 'd by a profound Obscurity.
The Tempest encreasing, we were obliged to strike our Main-Sail and, as we could not keep our Lights in, and con- sequently not consult our Compass^ we made but little way, and suffer'd ourselves to be driv'n before the Wind with our Fore-Mast^ up. The Night not continuing equally dark, we cou'd sometimes observe the Vane, which we endeavour'd
1 In oiig. : " a la vulder," i.e., by baling out ; they evidently had no puinp.
2 Vide ante, p. 108. In orig. : " la petite boussole."
Ill Harris' V(>>ja;jc.<f there is a remarkable account of the wonderful escape of William Okeley and six companions, iu an improvised boat of canvas, from slavery in Algiers, in July 1044. "The Directions they steered by in the Day time was only a Pockct-Dyal that one of the Company had, and they were in the Night guided by the motion of the Star.'!, and when they disappeared by that of the Clouds." (Harris; vol. ii, Appendix, p. 17.)
3 In orig. : "de gouverner vont arrit'reavcc la trinquettc.'" The trans- lator is here also wrong in his technical terms. Tiicre was only one mast, so there could not be a fore-mast (triiifjuct). By trinquettc is meant a sail, storm-jib, by which they were able to steer the boat and keep her before the wind.
1 693-] OUR DEPLORABLE CONDITION. 143
not to lose sight of, because if wo had not taken pnrticular care to manage the Waves/ one of them wou'd liave Lecn sufficient to have over-set us. What gave us the more reason to apprehend this danger, was that our Vessel was Deck'd only at one end, as I have already observ'd, a fault committed thro' vain Hopes that we sliou'd always have fair Weather, but we found ourselves very much out in our Cal- culation, for this Night was the most dreadful that cou'd be imagin'd. The Hurricane we underwent between the Cape of Good Hope and the Island of Mascarcgna^ had been terrible enough, but then we were under the Conduct of experienc'd Seamen ; and our Vessel was much better pro- vided to resist a Storm than this poor Cock-Boat,^ whoso deplorable condition my Pen is not able to describe. Amidst these obscurities, the Heavens once more pour'd down a Deluge upon us, which indeed was like to overturn us. The Winds which a small shower sometimes abates, became now but more furious. Sometimes we were lifted up to the Skies, and then immediately precipitated to the profoundest Abyss. A certain Noise in the Hold of the Ship, occasion'd as we afterwards understood by the Water's squashing between two Planks, made the most Courageous of us squaul out from time to time, thinking it was our last Moment, each Shock making us believe the Vessel was about to Split. We look'd upon present Death as inevitable ; we had lost our Route, and according to our Calculation, there was no likelihood of meeting with either Isle Maurice, or any other Land. Being under Despair, we knew not what to do, and debated whether we shou'd forsake the Helm, and without relying any longer on Humane Endeavours,'* wait amidst our Prayers for our last
^ In orig. : " parer la vague."
2 The island of Bourbon, or Reunion, formerly known to tbe Portu- guese as ]\Iascareulias ; of. supra, pp. 33-41. Vide App. A, p. 308 H seq.
3 In orig. : " petite Nacelle."
♦ In orig. : " la prudence humaine."
144 LAND SIGHTED. [1693.
Moment ; but it was carry VI, it was our dut}- to make uur utmost efforts to the end. This made us recollect our Courage, and some prepar'd to Swim at such time as tlie Ship should be swallow'd up.^
Whilst we were under this Dilemma of Life and Death the Sun began to brighten the Horizon, and the rage of the Wind ceas'd. The Sky clear'd up, and the Liglit as a Mes- senger of good News, made us to perceive a large Cape,^ which belong'd to Isle Maurice. This sight caus'd no small Joy among us, and as everyone disengag'd himself from his
• In original the paragraph proceeds to some length, whicli has been omitted by the translator: — " Nousne perdimes done jamais tout-a-fait courage, & quelques-uns nieme se preparoient a nager, quaud la barque seroit engloutie, pour prier & benir Dieu quelques raomens encore. Si I'abatement extreme ou nous nous trouvions, 6toit caus^ par le grand travail, par I'inanition, par des sollicitations a un sommeil imjiossible, par les frayeurs redoublees qui nous environnoient, il etoit sans doute bcaucoup augmente par les secrets reproches que les uns se faisoient de s'etre ainsi temerairement exposez, & les autres d'avoir etc trop faciles a se laisser persuader. Neamoius, on dissimula toutes ces pensees-l;\, & on s'exhorta les uns les autres en toute douceur & charite fraternelle."
2 This headland was probably the Morne Brabant, a fine mountain, 1,809 feet, which juts out very conspicuously at the south-west extremity of Mauritius. Mr. Tridham gives the following description of the landmarks to reach Port Louis in the north-west part of the isle: — " The circuit which was once made was very considerable, vessels being used to bear away nearly one hundred leagues, or as high as Rodriguez, as the wind and currents come from the east. The skill of later navi- gators has considerably contracted this (ktotir, but it is still a hundred miles by the windward passage, whereas a short cut by the Morne Brabant (which is a conspicuous landmark to vessels approaching the island on that side) is only a third the distance. An officer of H.M.S. Thunderer states that it is not only the shortest, but the safest, course to adopt during the season of the south-easters, which always vary to the southward." {Mitiirithis and its Ih pendencies, by Charles Pridham, 1846, p. 255.)
It may be considered worthy of note, and interesting from a literary point of view, to draw attention to some lines in Southey's IVialaba, as they se(!m to have been taken from this description of Leguat. Curi- ously enough, the copy of Leguat, from which the present transcript has been made, was formerly the property of Robert Southey, and
1 693-] DOMINE SALVA NOS. 145
Cloak, where we had as it were buried ourselves in expect- ation of Death, one might reasonably have taken us for so many Persons newly risen from the Dead. Hope soon took place of our dismal Apprehensions, and Strength returning to us at the same time with our Joy, we began to make Eeflections at our ease. But we did not above all omit to admire the Divine Providence which had turn'd to good, all the Misfortune of that terrible Storm ; for doubtless if we had not been forc'd out of the Route we propos'd to our selves, we had never lit on the Island where we design'd to Land.i
About five at Night, on the 29th of May, and the ninth Day after our setting Sail, we arriv'd in a small Bay^ of Isle Maurice. We went up a tolerably large Kiver with the Tide,
bears his name (it now belongs to the London Library), with date, October 13, 1813 :
" The moon is sunk, a dusky grey
Spreads o'er the eastern sky.
The stars grow pale and paler ; —
Oh beautiful ! the godlike sun
Js rising o'er the sea !
AViihout an oar, without a sail.
The little boat rides rapidly ; —
Is that a cloud that skirts the sea ?
There is no cloud in heaven !
And nearer now, and darker now —
It is — it is — the land !"
1 In the French edition Leguat adds to this paragraph, after the words, " jamais nous n'aurions rencontre I'Isle ou nous avions dessein d'aborder," the following reflection : "nous etions perdus, si nous n'eus- sions ete perdus''; quoting, as M. INIuller points out, from the speecli of Themistocles at Sardis, as given in Abbot Amiot's version of Plutarch's Livex : — "For he, being stept up to great countenance and authority, and followed with great traines of suitors after him by reason of his greatness ; seeing himself one day very honourably served at his table, and with all sorts of dainty meats, he turned him to his children and said unto them : ' ]\Iy sonnes, we should have been undone, if we had not been undone.' " (See Sir Thomas North's Translation, 1607.)
2 Probably Port Souillac, at the extreme south of the island.
146 BLACK ItlVEU. [1693.
and Landed at a Place agreeable enough, at the Foot of a sniall Mountain all cover'd with Trees.^ We had been so tumbled in our poor Weather-beaten Bark, that we staggcr'd about like so many Drunken IMen, and were hardly able to keep our Legs, nor resist this kind of Vertigo; but a good Sleep, with some Refreshments that Hunting furnish'd us vvitli, soon brought us to our selves again. Thus we escap'd the Desarts of Rodrigo, and the great Hazards of a terrible Storm. ])Ut Alas! Our new Island was no Port of Safety to us, for we got free of these Dangers, only td I'all into greater, as we shall shew by what follows.
Being tlius a little come to our selves, we re-enter'd our Vessel, and coasted along the Lsland in search of some Inhabited Place. After five or six Touchings- on the coast, where we. always lay a Night or two, we came at length to the Black-River^ where we found three or four Huts inhabited
^ In oiig. : " de grands arbres."
2 In orig. : " stations." The six river entrances on the south coast where the adventurers would have probably entered in their little cock- boat are marked on the Kaart van het Eyland Mauritius, by .T. van Braani, ander de Linden, in 1729, as follows : —
de Jagers Spruyt, now Riviere du Poste.
Gansen Spruyt, „ R. des Anguilles.
Laniotius Rivier, „ Savanna R.
de Paling Rivier, „ Jacotct R.
de Diejic Rivier, „ Raie du Cap.
de Ananasse Rivier, „ Wmg de I'ile Furneaux.
de Swarte Rivier, „ Black River. But the Swarte, or Black river, is put close to the North-west Port, whereas it is really twenty miles to the south of it.
3 Black River is a rapid torrent, whose principal source is near (Jrand Bassin, a crater lake, on the high land, nortii of iSIt. Savanne, whose waters are probably connected with the stream. The river takes its intricate course between the Tamarin and Savanne mountains, and draining the eastern slopes of the Piton dela Riviere Noire, the highest mountain in the island (2,711 feet elevation), Hows westward through a* l)rccipitous wooded gorge and a fertile valley into a commodious bay where there is an anchorage, sheltered by coral reefs and defended by
1693-] DUTCH COLONISTS. 147
hy Dutch Families, who receiv'cl us very kindly. These People have discover'd and cultivated as much Land, as they til ought fit in a Pleasant and fertile Valley. Their Gardens abound with our Plants, as well as those of the Indies, and they have a particular fancy for Planting Tobacco. Their Back-yards^ are full of our Poultry, which was no small Pleasure for us to see, after the long Eesidence we had made in our Island, where we had hardly met with any thing we ever saw before. I believ'd my Companions, wlio had been so long disus'd from Women, wou'd not be able to contain themselves, when they again beheld those amiable 01)jects, or at least that they wou'd surfeit themselves with looking on them ; but I was not a little mistaken, when I found they were no more mov'd with them, than with the sight of Cows ; so true it is, the shadow of Enjoyment many times mortifies the strongest Inclinations. The Huts of this little Colony were cover'd, in like manner with ours, with Plan- tanc-Lcnvcs^ but then the Roofs were higher, and the Rooms much larger, because this Island is less expos'd than Rodrigo to Whirl-winds and Tempests.
These good People live partly upon Hunting, having Dogs proper for that Sport.^ After we had continu'd with them about a Month, five of our Company were pitch'd upon to go and give the Governor Advice of our Arrival. Tlie Place^
batteries aud a military port, now deserted. The locality has been celebrated by Bernardiu de St. Pierre in Paul et Virgin 'c.
1 In orig. : " Leurs cours.'' ^ Leaves of the Tjatanier.
3 Vide ante, p. 96. * In orig.: "enrent commission.''
^ The old Dutch seat of Government was situated on the north side of Grand Port (Warwick Haven), under the Bamboo Mountains. It should be remenibei'ed that this was in reality a penal or convict establishment for Batavia and the other Dutch Colonies, and that the interior was in the hands of runaway slaves and convicts.
The settlement was afterwards removed to the soutliern side of the bay, at tlie mouth of the Riviere Chaux, by (Jeneral de Caen, in 1805,* and named Mahebourg, after M. Mahe de Labourdonnais.
The ruins of the old settlement of the Dutch Governors were stand-
L 2
148 ROELOF DIODATI. [1^93-
where he Resides, boars the Xanie of Frederic Ilcnri/,^ ami lies on the South-East of the Island, about 28 Leagues from where we were. His name was liodolfc DiothUi,- and he was burn at Geneva. "Whilst our Deputies were going in search
ing till 17")3, when they were entirely demolished by the French, and but little remains at Tointe de la Colonic of the New IMah.'bourf,' of de Caen, whilst only the site of the Dutch fort can be pointed out east of Bestel Cove. The bay retained the name of Grand Port or Port Bourbon. (See Pike's Siihtroplcal namhles, op. cit., p. 324, and Appendix.)
' The year 1G39 seems to have been the date of the first pioneer establishment by the Dutch in Mauritius under Commandeur Pieter de Goyer. It was aban<loued by Adrian van der Stel in IG-'iO, re-esta- blished by Maximilaan de Jong from 1650 to 1654, and again relinquished for five years, when Adriaan Nieuland formed a permanent settlement in the Zuyd Ooster Haven (where fort Fredcrik Ilcnrik was built), in the Noort Wester Haven, and at the Swarte llivier. (Vide Yalentyn, /. c, pp. 150-166.)
* In orig. : " Ptudolphe Diodati, & est de Geneve." Legiiat's editor, however, corrects this statement of Leguat in the Fautes a corriycr at the end of the volume, where he directs "Effacez & est de Geneve"; and, moreover, at p. 61 of French version (vide infra), where Leguat writes, " Je ne ponvois pas meme soufrir qu'il portat le beau nom de Diodati ; & qu'il se dit Fiufant de Geneve", his editor has inserted : (" D'autres assuroient quil etoit nc h Dort").
He appears to have been the son of Philippe Diodati, who was educated and brought up in Geneva, at the school of his illus- trious father, Jean Diodati, the famous Genevan theologist, and the translator of the Bible into Italian (1630). Philippe Diodati migrated to Holland and was installed in 1651 as pastor of the Walloon church at Ley den. Philippe married Elizabeth, daughter of Sebastien Francken, echiviii of Dordreclit, and had four sons, the second of whom, Jacques, was inspector of arms for the King of England (William) in Holland ; the third and fourth sons were twins, viz., Kodolphe (or lloelof) and Jean, born at Leyden, 28th July 1658. They went to school at Dordrecht, and entered the service of the Dutch Company. Jean proceeded to Batavia, and died at Surat in 1711. Kodolphe became Ouderkoopman and then Opperhoofd at Mauritius in 1692 to 1703. (See Vie de Jiun Diodati, by De Bude, 1869. Zaakcu van htl Eijland Mauritius, by Francois Valentyn, 1726.)
Diodati was succeeded by Abraham Mommer Van de Velde, 1705 to 1710, at which latter date Mauritius was finally evacuated by the Dutch Company.
1 693-] NOKTII-WEST rOKT. 140
of him (one of wliicli by the by was like to starve in the Woods, having stray'd from his Companions) he happened to pass by the Place where we were, in his Progress round the Island, which he was accustom'd to make every year. As soon as I came to know it, I went with the other Person that rcmain'd with nie, and beg'd his Protection, which he granted M'ith all the Civility I could desire, and gave me a kind Peception. When he and his Attendants had heard our Story, and considered our poor Vessel, they couM not but wonder at our rash Undertaking. The Governor promis'd to send us an Anchor, to a Port on the North- West side of the Island, which, he said, we might make use of, as occasion shou'd serve, in our way to his Lodge, so the Houses of the Governors of these Islands are call'd after what manner so ever they are built. He assur'd us at the same time, we shou'd want for nothing, and added we might thus wait at leasure for a Vessel that would arrive in a short time.
Upon these good Words, which he repeated several times, we left the Blach-Rhxr, where our Companions had just joyn'd us, and soon got to the North-West Port.^ As a fore-runner of the Misfortunes mo were yet to under go, we found no Anchor there, as the Governor had promis'd, but instead thereof perceiv'd we had not those Instructions given us were necessary ; for whereas they ought to have told us, how we were to continue our Voyage to the Lodge by Water, they let us know we must resolve to carry our Baggage by Land as far as Flac^ a small Village eight Leagues off, where
1 The Nooi't Wester Haven, the modern Port Louis ; at the extremity of -which inlet was a Dutch camp, wliere a town arose, subsequently nauieil St. Louis after his most Christian Majesty by the French in 1721. The harbour, well shelttred from the prevailing winds by an amphi- theatre of mountains, was fortified by La Bourdonnais and became the capital city and seat of government in the island. (See I'ridham, The Maarilins^ p. 259.)
'■^ Flac, or Flacq, foriiu'ily Flak, on the north-cast side of the island, is one of the oldest setlleuients. The old Dutch load from Fort Louis is
150 TREACHEKY OF VALLEAU. [1693.
the Comijciny have a Garden. As this was a Force-put} we immediately resolv'd to undergo what was impos'd on ns, and transported our Goods in seven or eight Turns ; but which were very fatiguing, and wherein we many times lost our way by traversing untrackM Forests.
Before we continue the thread of this Eelation, it will not, I imagine, be foreign to the purpose, to acquaint you that as soon as we arrived at the Lodge, we found the Surgeon of our Vessel, one Clas, there, with the Sieur Jacques Guiguer, one of those Pilgrims formerly niention'd,^ whom Valleau, our Cap- tain, had forc'd from us at Eodrigo. He had his Eeasons for playing us that Trick, and I suppose he had others for leav- ing Guiguer a,nd Clas in Isle Maurice. For my part I shan't trouble my self to dive into these JNIatters ; I shall only tell you in a M'ord or two, what these two Men told us. They acquainted us, that a little after they had weigh'd Anchor in tlie Bay of Roclrigo, the Captain open'd our Letters, read them without scruple to the whole Ship's Crew, and after- wards threw them overboard : Whatever Complaints we made concerning this ill Treatment, had no effect upon him, and, to say Truth, we expected no better from him. They inform'd us likewise, that two days after their Arrival at Isle Maurice, Valleau continuing there at the same time, an Eng- lish Captain^ chanc'd to come in with his Boat, having sav'd himself from Ship-wreck with his whole Crew, when his Ship bulg'd on the Sands near Rodrigo.* That the said Captain
shown on the Admiralty chart, the distance being about 20 miles, but a railway now connects the two places. Flacq was in Prior's times dis- tinguished for pretty scenery, gardens, and pleasant habitations ; the district has now some 50,U00 inhabitants. (Prior, /. c, p. 53, vide infra.)
1 In orig. : " un faire-le-faut." 2 (^^'f supra, p. 65.
3 In orig.: "un Capitaine Ahf/Ioi.s, avec son equipage, y avoit abordo dans une Chaloupe, se sauvant du naufrage de son Vaisscau qui etoit cclioi'iu sur un banc de sable (sans espoir d'etre relevc par le flot) assez pres de llodriym'.^''
* Plank found, see p. U>7, auk. " Ijulg'd'', probably for "bilged".
l693-] GOVEHNOK LAMOTIUS. 151
propos'd to Vcdlcau to go to the said Ship, which yet appear 'd above Water, and see if they cou'd save any of the Merchandize ; that Vallcau consented, and the two Captains with tlieir respective Crews, took Oaths reciprocally to keep the Secret.^ Vallcau, who was oblig'd to give an account of his Actions to the Governor of Isle Maurice, then the Sieur Lanwcius," thought to conceal his Designs by telling him the eight Adventurers Ijc had left at Rodrigo, being like to stand in need of Necessaries, he could not but esteem it the greatest Charity to send them some speedy Relief; and at the same time gave in a List of such things as he believ'd we wanted. This weigh'd very much with the Governor, to whom we had been earnestly recommended by the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and thereupon the former imme- diately order'd our small VesseF to be laden with Deer, Calves, Goats, Hogs, Turkeys, Ducks, Poultry, Citron-Trees,
1 In orig. : " qui apparemmeut paroitroit encore, dans I'esperauce de s'enrichir, de plusieurs bonnes niarchandises qn'ils en pourroient tirer : que Vallcau topa, & qu'ils (irent uu pieux sermcut, les deux Capitaines & leur equipage, de tenir leur vol bien secret."
2 The Sieur La Mocius, or Lamotius, was the fifth Governor appointed to Mauritius after its resettlement by the Dutch, lie suc- ceeded Hubert Hugo, and Avas predecessor of Uiodati.
Hubert Hugo, Commaudeur of Mauritius, left the island in 1677. "His place as Governor (Opperhoofd) was then taken by the (Onder- koopnian) Lieutenant-Governor Isaiic Johannes Lamotius. The latter was stationed here for fifteen years, till the year 1692. IIo traversed the island in all directions. Once he undertook a journey of twenty-one days to see how large it was in circumference. He marched daily three, four, five, or six miles along the coast, cutting off a corner here and there, and computed the circumference to be sixty miles. He left for Batavia on the 12th February 1693 by the (fluit) ship Dm/:'
"His (Lamotius') place as Governor was taken, in 1692, by Ilerr Roelof Diodati, Onderkooiiman.
"The latter remained here till the end of 1703, when he left for Batavia, where his wife died on the 6th March 1701 ; but his Excellency became Governor in Japan and held this post till 1721 (in which year it seems to me he must have died)." (Valentyn, Beschrijcinge van (le Kaaj) dcv Gocde Hoopc. — Zaalen van hit cylaiid Mainitinn, p. 165.)
3 In orig. : "notre Hiiondclle.''
lo2 THE FATAL AMBERGRIS. [1693.
Orange-Trees, Ananas, JDanane-Tiees, Vine-Plants, Tobacco, Potatoes,^ Eice, Millet, and other Trees, Fruits and Grains in great abundance. But all this was only a Pretence in our good Captain ; for either out of Malice or Avarice, he dejDriv'd us of every Jot of those good things which had been so charitably sent us. This, it may be, caus'd his Enterprize to Miscarry ; for after he had sail'd several times to and fro in sight of our Island, and rounded the Bulg'd Ship as many, he was roughly repuls'd by the revenging Waves, and cou'd not recover the least part of what he pretended to.^ This is what we learnt from the Siew' Guiguer and Clas. Now let us return to our unfortunate Adventures.
John de la Haye our Gold-smith, having several ponderous Tools wdiich incommoded him, he resolved to sell part of tliem to one of the same Trade, whom he met with at the North-West Port. Among these Tools w^as that fatal Lump of Amber-greece^ formerly meution'd, which had been found at Bodrifjo, and weigh'd about six Pounds. La Hayc having ask'd the Gold-smith what it was, he answer'd coldly, it was a sort of Gum* made use of in the Isle of Maurice, instead of Pitch, and that great quantities of it were to be met with about certain Trees, but that it was worth little or nothing. La ILaye giving credit to this Account, and having no occasion for Pitch himself, he let the Gold-smith have it into the
1 lu orig. : " Patates,"' /.e., a species of yam.
2 In orig. : " II passa & repassa a la vue de notre isle ; & partie par malice, dont il etoit bien pourvu ; partie par chagrin du mauvais Bucces de son entreprise, car ils furent rudemeut & dangercusement balotez, par les flots veugeurs, autour du Navire cclioiio [bilged V] sans en poiivoir jamais rien arraclier, il nous priva vilainemcnt de clioscs qui auroient fait de notre Kodrigue une veritable Eden : si ce fut pour nCtre nial, ou pour notre bien, Dieu le fait."
3 Cf. supra, p. 87.
'' Of the Terebinthaccjc growing in ^lauritius, the Colophanc Mauri- tiana, one of the larg' st trees in the island, bears jmrple blossoms and yields a resinous gum, which serves, iustead of pitch, for caulking vessels. (I'liiiham, a^i. rif., p. .')(J2.)
l693-] AN INSIGNIFICANT GUM. 153
Bargain, only he kept two or three small pieces out of Curiosity.
Next day somebody having informed him that this insig- nificant^ Gum was really Amber-greece, he went, in all hast, to the Gold-smith to demand the lump of Pitch again of him ; but he answer'd, he had pitch'd his Pails with it, and therefore could not restore it to him. This occasion'd great Heats, and they parted with a great deal of Anger, the former threatening the latter, to complain of him to the Governor. Now, as the Gold-smith that bought this Amber- greece, had several times found of it at Isle Maurice^ and knew that the Inhabitants were forbid either to buy or sell it under severe Penalties, being obliged to carry all they got
1 In orig. : " protendue mecliaute gomme."
2 Some islets off the north-east coast of Mauritius bear tlie name of les lies d'vVmbre. The value attached to ambergris by Loguat is doubt- less due to the fact of its being a highly esteemed aiticle of trade in the 17th century. It is mentioned among the products of the Japanese archipelago, and it was imported into Siam by the Dutch. Thos. Pitt, writing in 1699, from Fort. St. George, INIadras, says that "a very stately piece Ambergriese, upwards of 800 oz.", had been sent from Batavia. Cf. Hedges' Diarij (Hakl. Soc), iii, 49; Eii(jUxh Intercourse uith .SVo/H, Tiiibner's Oriental Series, pp. 21, 96 ; and Francis Pyrard de Laval tells us how, in the Maldives, "All wreck found on the sea-shore is immediately brought to the King, for no Subject dares to keep it ; no more than Ambergreese, called by the INlaldivians Gomcn, which is more plentiful here than in any part of the Indies, and which is so narrowly looked after, that whoever appropriates it to his own use loses a Hand." Cf. his Voyage (Hakl. Soc), vol. i, p. 231, and see Mr. Gray's note, ihid.
" On this shore there used to be washed a good deal of beautiful Amber, tlie price of wliich had been fixed before at two llix dollars and a bottle oiarak per ounce ; but as Ilerr Lamotius bid five llix dollars for the ounce, he obtained a piece of six pounds, and afterwards many other pieces which were pretty heavy. They thus entered into an agreement with some Burghers, on account of the Company, and to clinch the bargain these made the Company a present of one pound. Tiiis lasted one or two years that the Amber was delivered to the Company, according to the agreement ; but afterwards they tlieuiselves begged to be released from it.'' (Vulentyn, Dp. cil., p. 153.)
154 testard's villi ax v. [1693.
to the Company, and part with it at a certain rate ; he to prevent^ poor La Haye, went immediately and carry'd the lump of Amber-greece to the Governor, telling him after what manner it came to his Hands. La Haye hearing this, went likewise and made his Complaint, but the unjust Judge, being prepar'd, and Self-interested, assur'd him that lump of he knew not what, was no Amber-greece, but a certain Gum of little or no value, and which he knew by experience. La Ilaye^ reply'd, he had reserved several pieces of it, to justifie the truth of what he asserted, and therefore demanded Justice : What further plainly shew'd it to be true Amber-greece, was, that certain days after the Contest, the Gold-smith that purchas'd it for Pitch, had been so unadvis'd as to offer 60 Crowns^ for the pieces that remain'd, which we look'd upon as done by the Governor's Order, who could now no longer dissemble Iiis sentiments. It appear'd Ijy their Subtleties, that the greater part of this Amber-greece had been melted, no body knowing what to make of it, and that only a small piece remain'd, which being produc'd, was adjudged to belong to the Com- pany, and sent to Batavia. He of our Companions that was a Druggist,* and very Skillful in his profession, had learnt at Modriyo that this lump was really Amber-greece, but he dissembled what he knew, and pretended in spite of our Suspicions that it was no such thing, out of hopes, I suppose, tliat lie might one day have an ojiportunity to appropriate it to himself. This was so much the greater Villany, in that
1 In orig. : "il provint le pauvre la Haye."
- Ill orig. : " Le Suppliant.''
3 Sixty crowns, soixante ecus. Tlic crowns or ecus mentioned by Tjeguat were rix-dollars. Computing these at 50r/. modern money, the value of 60 crowns would be £12 10*'., the amount offered for the frag- ments of the ambergris that remained. (Sec Thcal's Ilistory of South Africa, vol. ii, Pref., and p. 122.)
■* Jean Testard, a druggist, a mcrcliant'.s son of St. (iuentin in Picardy. (See ante, p. 6.)
l693-] BARBAEOUS INJUSTICE. 155
it not only occasion'd us the Misfortunes that happen'd afterwards to us, but likewise deprived us of an Oppor- tunity of enriching our selves by searching for more Amber- greece, which we might undoubtedly have found in great quantities in that Island, during the stay of two years we made there; besides, 'tis likely we might have stay'd much longer there on that account. I cou'd bring divers other Eeasons to prove that the Druggist must needs have known it was Amber-greece from the very Minute it was brought into the Hutt at Rodrigo by La Hayc, but I sliall insist no more upon that Point.^ I have already told you, the first time we saluted the Governor, he received us with great Civility, and promis'd us all the best Treatment we cou'd desire ; but as soon as ever this business happen'd we were at a Loss for all those fine Promises. As we cou'd not attribute this alteration in his Humour to any Disrespect we sliow'd him we did not doubt but he was chagrin'd on account of mis-carrying his Point. He had reason to apprehend we might relate this Story at Batavia ; and tliat the Company might call him to account for the Wrong he did, first to us that had found this Amber-greece in an Island that belong'd to no body, and consequently we ought to have been left quiet possessors of it : And Secondly to the Company, in case it had been adjudged to have been their Pight. All this consider'd, made him to form a barbarous Pesolution^ against us, as shall appear hereafter. The first Injustice he did us, was to seize upon our Vessel without letting us know a word of it, and the second was burning it.^
Instead of restoring our Sails, which were made of a good piece of Flanders Cluth, he gave them to his Hunts-Men to
1 '' Ce fut hii qui aiant appris ;\ Maurice, que La llaijc- avoit doniio (jndis uu si grand trcsor, avcrtit, niais trop tard, que c'otoit do I'Auibi-e,'' omitted by translator.
'^ In orig. : " Ce fut pour cola, qu'il forma la resolution do nous pordre paries barbares & infames moyensqu'on verradans la suite."
^ " Qucl<iues jours ajiros,'' omitted by translator.
156 INSTANCES OF MALICE. [1693.
make Cloaths, and this notwithstanding all we could say to him.
He began likewise to give us Instances of his Hatred and jNIalice, hy lodging us in a Hutt where we liad nothing sent us to eat but what the Conipany's Servants had left. •
Afterwards he kept iis in a manner Prisoners, by for- bidding us to go beyond our Hut above a thousand Paces. He took the only Servant^ that remain'd to us away from us, and listed^ him in the Company's Service ; so that he whom we had brought from Rodrigo having likewise juj'u'd with him, our Number was reduc'd to Five.
These methods of Proceeding, so contrary to the Civility we at first receivM, gave us reason to apprehend that worse would follow. Nevertheless, we rely'd entirely upon Providence, which had hitherto assisted us in all our Calami- ties.
But as in all Societies there are some Spirits more restless and impatient than the rest, two of our Number, viz. the Siairs La Case and Tcstard, projected to retrieve our ill Circumstances by a Proceeding that to speak Truth, was not altogether Just. This was, as a Ptcprisal for our Vessel and Sails, to seize upon one of the Company's Chaloupes,^ and make our escape to Mascargcna^ which was not above twenty-five Leagues from Isle Maurice. Now as they thought, whatever colour they might give to tlieir Design, the two others and I would never ap[)rove of it, they did not think to let us know
1 Ptiter Thomas and Robert Anseliu. Cf. supra, pp. 6 and 51.
2 A custom had come into vogue of allowing soldiers and convales- cent sailors to engage for short periods as st rvants to burghers, their wages and cost of maintenance being thus saved to the Company, while they were at hand in case of need. ( Vide Theal's History of S. Africa, vol. ii, p. 30.)
3 Hence our word " shallop''.
* " ^lascaregna." In orig. '' Mascargna," the island of Bourbon, the high mountains of which arc .sometinus vi.siljlc, at sunset, from Mauri- tius, the distance between the two islands being about ninety-five miles.
1 694-] -^N UNHAPPY PROJECT. 157
any thing of the matter.^ However, as they coukl not well execute their Purpose without A.ssistance, they apply'd themselves to a Soldier of the Company' s, one John Namur, who had giv'n them to understand, he was not over- well pleas'd witli the Governor.^ This Soldier no sooner came to know their Secret, but he went and acquainted the Governor with the Pi'oposal that had been made him, adding that three of our Number^ were entirely Innocent, and knew nothing of the Plot. Some Weeks pass'd before the Governor took any notice of what had been Eeveal'd to him, causing, nevertheless, our Conduct to be strictly observ'd, especially that of the Accused. But perceiving at length that nothing came of all his Politicks,'* and fearing if he delay 'd any longer, he might altogether be depriv'd of his Eevenge, he on the 15th of January^ in the Night, sent a Troop of arm'd Soldiers to seize on us, who Conducted all five into his Presence. The first words he spoke were to justifie us Three that were Innocent, declaring he all along knew we were guiltless, and therefore had nothing to say to us. After having put some questions to the other Two, they own'd ingenuously the Design they had, but added withal, that the Vessel we had lost was worth more than the Chaloupe they design'd to take, insinuating moreover that their Intention was to pay for it,^ as the Soldier himself confess'd. We were, however, all hurry'd away together, both Innocent and
1 " lis se cacherent meme si soigneusement que uous n'eumes aucuiie coniioissance de ce qu'ils vouloieut faire," omitted by translator.
2 " & ils lui proposerent d'etre de la partie pour s'eu aller avec cux," omitted by translator.
2 lu orig. : " les trois camarades des deux accomplices."
* In orig. : " Mais voyant que le dcssein qui lui avoit 6te decouvcrt par le Soldat n'avoit aucune suite ; & craignant, sans doute, que ccs pensees, dont il ne faisoit qu'attendre l'ex6cution pour user Lardimcut de grande rigucur, n'eussent ete aussi-t6t dissipces que coufues.''
» A.D. 1691.
" In orig. : " de laisscr de I'argent pour le paycinent de cotte chaloupe."
158 IMPRISONMENT. — THE STOMBS. [1694.
Guilty/ to an obscure Prison wliich I may well call a Dungeon, and there laid in Stomhsr These Sionihs are a sort of Stocks compos'd of two thick Beams of Wood, which having two Semicircular Holes made in them, were let down upon our Ancles ; moreover, we were to lie upon the Ground with our Heels higher than our Heads, which is a Posture you may conceive not very easie. The difference between us Three, and our two Comrades that had own'd their Crime, was, that they had tlie next day Irons of tliirty I'ound weight added to their Misery. We continu'd in this bad Condition two Days and two Nights, at the end of which we Three that were Innocent were set at Liberty. We were immediately carry'd to the Governor as before, who declar'd to us anew, that our Innocence was well known to him, and that we had been entirely clear'd both by the Accuser and the Accused. He added moreover Treacherously,^ that he should always have a kindness for us, and that we should find our Treatment answerable to his Promise at our first
^ In orig. : " pretendus coupables."
2 In orig. : Ces Stomhs sont composez de deux pieces de bois assez grosses, dontl'une s'abaisse sur I'autre ; & qui ayant chacune une double echancrure faite en demi rend I'une vis-a-vis de I'autre, sont ensemble, quand elles sont approchees, deux trous oiiles jambes se trouvent pass^es & prises si au juste, qu'il n'est pas possible de les retirer." The word '■^Stomhs" given in the French edition, as well as in the English version, is not recognisable as a Dutch term ; indeed, the Dutch trans- lator of the book in Leguat's own time renders the word hulk or ballcen, i.e., clamp or clamps, which are simply pieces of wood like the old- fashioned English stocks, celebrated in Iludibras. The French word Hoc (or cstrapade) is the nearest French equivalent. In the frontis- piece of a curiously illustrated work on the Dutch criminal jurisprudence — Pructycke in Criinuiele tidcckcn ghemaeckt, by Joost de Dauihouder (Rotterdam, 1642) — there is a representation of the Dutch halken, in which the wooden blocks are broader, taller, and more square than those of the old English stocks.
3 In orig. : '' ce Dieu-donne indigne,'' omitted by the translator. A play upon the name "Diodati", evidently derived from the Latin; indeed, Misson may here intend a covert allusion to the Pope Adeodatus, the successor of Vitalianus, a.d. G72-67G. {Vide supra, p. 65.)
1 694-] TRANSPORTED TO A ROCK. 159
coming, not forgetting to insinuate how nnicli we were oblig'd to him for thinking our Sails worthy to Cloath his Huntsmen, and for giving us his Servants Bones to pick, but all this while he took no notice of the Injury and Injustice he had just done us. All these kind Promises however vanish'd in a Moment, for he soon after set Guards over us, who waited upon us Day and Night. Some few days after one came hy his Order to seize upon all we had, ISIoney, Arms, Husbandry-Tools, Kitchiu-Utensils, Bed-Cloaths, Table-Linen, and in a word, almost all we were ]\Tasters of, excepting a little Linen, our Beds, our Cloaths, and part of our Books. Our Gold-smith too had all the Instruments of his Trade taken from him, not leaving him so much as one. After this we were put into a Chaloupe together with the Accus'd, who were strip'd to their Shirts and loaded with Irons, without knowing what they intended to do M'ith us, but we soon found to our Cost and Detriment. We were Transported to a Desart and frightful Uock^ about two
' Off Grand Port the outer edge of the reef lies two or three miles from the shore, and on it are several rocks and islets in the southern part, the most conspicuous of which is the He de la Passe on the north side of the principal entrance, and half-a-mile west of the lighthouse on Fouquier or Fouquet's Island, with a small islet (Vacoas I.) between. On He aux Fouqucts now, is a lighthouse 84 feet high, and Vacoas Island is apparently the one on which Leguat and his companions dwelt in their enforced exile. It is 2| miles to the eastward of the nearest point of the mainland, and on the very edge of the coral reef, which stretches away to the north. On this reef are more islets, viz., Marianne I., Bird I., and Fous I. All these islands are hollowed out by the waves in many places, forming caverns that undonuine tliem to some distance. There is a large tank which in capable of containing a supply of fresh water for the use of the light-teeper and bis 'family, brought over in barrels from the mainland every day, when the boats take provisions and oil, etc., and stored thetve, as the place is often inac- cessible for days together at high tides and in stormy weather.
The He de la Passe was formerly defended by a battery, an»l some old-fashioned rusty mortars and guns wero, not long since, lying neg- lected in the ruins of the ramparts and defences out out of the rock.
The graves of several Fi-euch and English soldiers, >vho at various
'■'■'//
160 OUR LAMENTABLE CONDITION. [1694.
hundred Paces long, a liundred broad, and near, two Leagues from Slioar : Here we were to live, tho' it was almost im- possible to walk, by reason of the many Holes and sharp Stones we were to tread upon. 'Tis true, we cou'd sometimes go to some neighbouring Islands, which I shall speak of hereafter. They settled us here in a vile Hutt, built upon an Eminence near the Sands and Shoals, and about two Paces from the Sea when it was full, and exactly in the season of the Hurricanes. This Hutt, half ruin'd l)y Time, and wliich it was impossible for us to Eepair, having nothing to do it withal, had formerly serv'd for a Prison to some Criminals who a few years before had been banish'd thither.
This was the place my Lord Diodati was pleas'd to send us to, and where we continu'd near three years, I mean such of ns as did not die before that time. Thus we became the sad Ptepresentations of those unhappy Plying-Fish, who have no sooner escap'd the Jaws of one Enemy, but they fall into the Claws of anotlier. This wicked Governor fed us only with Salt-flesh which was often Corrupted, as may easily be imagin'd, if one considers the excessive Heats of these Coun- tries. Our Water likewise almost always stunk, because it was brought us in Vessels that were never clean, and we had never enough of it neither. At first we had our Provisions every eight Days, but afterwards they did not come in fifteen,^ and sometimes in twenty, so that we had hardly ever any Pefreshment. Thus either through the Malice of our Perse- cutor, the Negligence of his Purveyors or oftimes bad Weather, we were obliged to stint our selves to shorter allowance/of 'M6at and Drink, than we had ever done, how- ever nauseous and uuhealthful the miserable Nourishment was that was brought us. All this occasion'd us to desire Netts
times garrisoned tliis rock, testify to the engagements which took place in the vicinity before the isknd was captured in 1810. (See Appendix.) {Vide infra, p. 103.)
i In orig. : "de quinzu en quinze, & quelquefois plus rarement."
a'lsles auxiJeMs \
5\ 'Topm afireet J* \
}
40 \
M'Cnnusar t^Y »11 b o ^>
M o
^i
GrandJP
- '*KTBANci TO GRAND PORT
lUl^S 13 37 «U0
n " le ,i,-»9f. "-7 1 -fV.
7 ■* g\^iDa7us}v ETttrarux'
-••■ ■■-■■.-.J5J« 7 9 a 27 ^ g :
'lij/ . rV( art , -' ^ •» jjTO «> <f
;>^
S3 27
." is-r-^^^-
/ «1 S9
4]
23 s.CTl 32 39 « «9/^°
CKo.»^^
,» i !„♦ i c ■*- \, '. . -i'l\«^"» *2>N?9 SOUTH
^JIo..o.^7>* * Sand and, oorat i (,iS.,. \ ov a I'-l 27 37
.•■■jio
Sand, and' corat
' 'i i ' * ^
t-S-'i.?, ?9
TH ENTRANCE TO CaiAND PORT O^ SOf Sp-^llfUpir! ( sec planMOJ I
-A/ 7 .-:k-.- -■
1694] MIRACULOUS RECOVERY. 161
for Fishing, and Vessels to catcli Eain-Water in, but we were deny'd both one and the otlier. It was impossible but all this ill Usage, and bad Diet, must alter our Healths, and more particularly mine, for I was then above three and fifty years old. At first I was attacked with a sort of Malady, which we FrcncJimcn, in that Country, call'd Le Pcrsc} This was a continual flux of Blood, by which I was in a very short time reduc'd to a very lamentable Condition : My Distemper encreasing to a dangerous Degree, the Governor was advis'd of it, and desir'd to let me be brought back to his Island : He sent a Surgeon, who after he had visited me, declar'd, I should never recover unless I went a-shoar ; but his Opinion had no better success with the cruel Governor, than my Prayers : for he desir'd nothing more than to see us all Perish.2 jjg ^^.^^ conjur'd at length to send at least once in fifteen days some fresh Provisions, that I might have some Broth made me, but which was likewise barbarously refus'd ; so that wanting everything that was proper for me, I was at last brought to Death's Door. My Cure was absolutely despair'd of ; but as there was no Body on that Kock that
1 Dysentery. M. Le Gentil, iu a letter to M. de la Nux, in 1769, writes : " Le flux de sang, on le connoit a File de France, & je croisqu'il est de tons les pays : il doit etre tnis au rang des grands inconimodites de rinde ; cette maladie est presque ton jours tres-longue, & quelque- fois suivie de la mort." (Vide Voyage dans les Mcrs de rinde, vol. i, pp. 675-676.)
2 In INIr. Beaulieu's Voyage, we read of the cruelty of the Dutch to their French prisoners : — '■ For they threw the sick men like so many logs of wood out of the ship into the boat, and some they dragged through the water with a rope fastened about 'em, particularly one who being so dragg'd, expired immediately upon the rocks on the shore"; and the English as well had their share, for when Lantore was sacked by the Dutch in 1620, Mr. Spurway writes : "Our factors there present were stripped, bound, beaten, tumbled over the town-wall, dragged along the street with fetters about their necks, and afterwards laid fast in chains. They were not so kind as to execute them outright, living being then a far greater punishment than dying." (Vide Ilarrin's Voyages^ vol. i, pp. 105, 247.)
M
102 HAZARDOUS RESOLUTION. [1C94.
would undertake to dispatch lue in form,^ Nature began to fortiiie her S(df a little, and I quickly recover'd as it were by a Miracle. If the good Reader is touch'd to see me in so sad a Place, and so sad a Condition, he M'ill no doubt be glad to hear how in the Moments which I thought the last of my Life,- 1 directed divers pious Exhortations to my Companions, which I trust have not been unprofitable to them.^ Young people may tliink and talk what they please, but after all they must die ; and Happy, thrice Happy^ are they who are truly prepar'd for their last Hour. The Sieurs La Case and Tcstard, the two Persons Accus'd, were likewise attack'd with the same Malady some time after ; but as they were young, and of a stronger Constitution than J, they resisted the Distemper better. We had continu'd in this miserable Condition near four mouths, when on the 15th of March 1694 we saw a Dutch Vessel call'd the Perseverance come into the Harbour of the Island''; which according to the Law of
1 111 orig. : " inais comrae il u'y avoit personne sur ce Rocher qui entreprit de me faire mourir dans Ics formes^ la Nature se fortifia peu-a- peu d'elle-mome ; & en de meilkures formex, je me trouvai bien-t^t en quelque fafon retabli." Again another sly cut at the professional doctors — a reminiscence, as Muller points out, from jNIolibre's Amour medecin (Act ii, 50).
2 "& la fin detoutes mesmiseres, Dieu me fit la grace de me donner assez de presence d'esprit pour adresser a mes Compagnons," omitted by translator.
^ " & pour lour donner aussi des marques qui les I'difiOreut, de ma resignation, & de mon Esperance," omitted by translator.
^ In orig. : " Et heureux ! veritablement & uuiquemcnt heurcux, quiconque n'oubliant jamais I'inevitable u^cessite de ce dernier depart, se tient toujours pre t a le faire."'
^ There are three entrances to the ZiiT/d Ooster ITavcn of Mauritius, the principal port of the island, or Grand Part of the French. The southern entrance is the least intricate, and this is the one depicted by Valentyn in his folio. It can be easily made out now by the lighthouse, but in olden days the Drie Gehroeders, as the islets were then named, formed the northern arm of the passage. The remarkable bluff moun- tain, 1,583 ft. high, named the Lion's Head, but called de Zaal Berg by the Dutch, must be kept on a N.E. by N. ^ N. bearing in making
1 694-] A FRAIL RAFT. 163
the Country, ought to Transport us to Batavla, or the Co^.v, whether Criminals or not ; hut we were acquainted by our Purveyors, that we must not expect to go with that Vessel This made my two Companions and I, who were not in the case of the Accus'd, take a Eesohition to liazard all, rather than not go a-shoar, while the Officers of tlie Ship newly arriv'd were there, to the end that we might make our Com- plaints in their Presence. But the execution of tliis Project was highly difficult ; we wanted everything that Men could want ; the Passage was two Leagues, and above all, we could not judge whether the Current ran out to Sea or towards the Slioar. Nevertheless, that there might be nothing to Reproach us with, we made a Float of Sea- Weeds, and fastened to tlie two ends the two Hogsheads^ we Kept our Water in, when the Sicurs Be — le and La Haye, those two of my Companions that were Innocent, tho' treated like Criminals, ventur'd to Sea upon this sort of Floating Bridge^;
the Pass. When entering the channel keep the Lion's Head bearing N.E. by N. \ N. until the centre of the He de la Passe bears E. by N.; then steer for the rock of the Devil's Point, which will bear E.N.E., and after running three-quarters of a mile, bring up in about thirteen fathom, sand and gravel. It was doubtless by this channel and at this point that the Perseverance came in and anchored. (IVc/c Findlay, op. cit., p. 511. Vide supra, p. 155.) 1 In orig. : "barriques."
- " At last, when care had banished sleep,
He saw one morning — dreaming — doating — An empty hogshead from the deep Come shoreward floating.
" He hid it in a cave, and wrought
The livelong day laborious, lurking Until he launched a tiny boat By mighty working.
" Heaven lielp us, 'twas a thing beyond Description wretched ; such a wlierry Perhaps ne'er ventured on a pond Or crossed a ferry.
M 2
1G4 SAFE AHRIVAL. [1694.
and beiii" bettor Swimmers than the rest of us, and more able to bear fatigue, they arriv'd safe at the Island in twelve Hours.
They found at the Governor's House,^ who was very much surpriz'd to see them, the Ofhcers of the Vessel, before whom they made their Complaints ; demanding that we should be sent away pursuant to the general Orders, and the Custom of the Company ; and moreover, according to the repeated Promises the Governor had made us. Thfey added, That if the Accus'd were to be retain'd, that was yet a Cause to be try'd ; but as for us that were Innocent, and had been so declar'd twenty times, we ought to be treated after another manner,
Biodati not being able to contradict this Truth, answer'd. He had nothing to say against us Three ; only, if we had not been so well treated as we expected we must impute the Cause to our Comrades, and that we being all Frencli^ he could not trust one more than another; a reason alto- gether impertinent, and which was laugh'd at, as it well deserv'd.
The Officers hearing what was said, and believing so bold and sincere a Proceeding as ours seem'd to be, could not come but from a good Conscience, they conceiv'd a good Opinion of us ; and altho' our Enemy the Governor had
" For ploughing on the salt sea field
It would have made the boldest shudder — Untarrod, unconipassed, and unkeeled — No sail— uo rudder."
(T. Campbell, Ncqwleon and the Sailor.)
1 At Fort Frederik llendrik. (Sec plate, taken from Valontyn.) In the distance the Drie Grhrvcikrs^ the centre one of which was the Rock of Exile, are jjlainly visible, 2| miles distant.
2 The war of the League of Augsbourg was in progress, and Louis XIV was successful at this period in the Low Countries, where Alarechal, the Duke of Luxembourg, had won victories at Fleurus, Steinkerk, and Neerwindeu. Hence the hatred of the Dutch for the French. (I7(/e p. 157.)
1 694-] OUR MEMOrJAL. 165
endeavour' d to pcrswade tliem we were iioUiiiig but Scoundrels and Villians, yet they saw plainly they had been impos'd upon by him ; liowever, tliey could do us no Service, being not qualified to determine our Cause/ only we hop'd they would intercede in our behalf, and report the State of our Case to their INIasters. When our two friends found that the Governor pretended still to be apprehensive, least we should escape with some one of his Chaloupes, they offer'd themselves voluntarily to be laid in Irons again, chusing rather to undergo anything a-shoar, tlian be conveyed any more to that miserable Eock, but even this was refused : Being order'd to Prison they were put in the Stomhs as before, and next Morning early were convey'd to us, with express Orders not to stir from thence on the severest Penalty : And to the end we might no more pretend to come to Land, they sent us back but one Barrel, and tliat without a Head.
The Officers were nevertheless sufficiently inform'd of our Condition, as well by what they had from the Governor and our two Comrades Mouths, as by a MemoriaP which was slily slipp'd into their Hands ; where, among other Things, they were desir'd to make known to our Relations in Holland how we far'd, that they might procure us an Enlargement.^ These Gentlemen, mov'd at our ill Hap,* were so kind as to come and visit us on our Eock, that they might more fully inform themselves of the Truth of what we asserted. They were then altogether convinc'd of the Hardships and Bar- barities we underwent, and found we had inserted nothing in our Petition or Memorial but what was too true ; nay, this inhumane Usage so incens'd them, that they vow'd to see our
' In orig. : " n'ctant pas en droit de demander a entendre les te- moins."
2 In orig. : " unc reqiicte circonstantiee."
s In orig.: " afin qu'ils tachassent d'y apporter dii remede."
* In orig. : " uotre lamentable condition."
IGG CIIAKITABLE ASSISTANCE. [1694.
Grievances redress'd,^ and, moreover, assur'd us it was no fault of theirs if they did not receive us* on board ; but that they could not do it openly, without the Consent of the I'as- cally Governor, wlio, they could plainly perceive, was highly averse to it. However, they told us if we could so contrive as to get on board them, without any manner of Assistance of theirs, then they said they both could and would receive us, and we should be transported whither we pleas'd. Some few Days after they sent us out of Charity three hundred Weight of Eice, some white Biscuit and a few Bottles of Aciua Vitie and Spanish Wine.^ All this was highly useful to us afterwards, especially the Rice, which we sometimes stood in great want of. These Provisions we took a great deal of care to conceal in the Holes of the Rock, lest they should come to be seen by the Seamen that brought us our Prog, or lest that malicious Devil Diodati should order them to be taken from us. Now as our good Friends the Officers had promis'd to take us on board, in case we could get to their Ship without their Help, we, like drowning Men that catch at any thing, made two Attempts for that purpose. Za Case, who was a good Swimmer, us'd his Endeavours to get to them that way, which was yet not a little dangerous to do, by reason the Passage to the Ship was a good half League, and that Sea exceeding full of Sharks, which are
1 In orig. : " quils nous protestrrent qii'ils nicttroicnt tout en oeuvre pour tacher de nous soulager."
2 Mr. Francis Willoughby, whose ornitliology has been before (juoted by ]\Iisson {vide supra, p. 15), mentions the Spanish wine lie found at lluesca in 1GG4, as a yellowisli white wine like sack. Tlie Spaniards, he said, made great vessels of goatskin to put wine in, and lesser bottles which were called Bulos. They seldom mingled water with their wine, it b'jing a common saying among them, " Vino poco ^- pitro^^^ though all over Spain the wine was very hot and strong. {Vide Francis Wil- loughby's Voi/fif/e lliroiu/h Spain; Harris's ]'()i/a(/(s,vo]. ii, pp. 695, 597.)
The A'/ua Vilm of the translator is cax-dc-ric in the original ; in this case probably tlie spirit made by the Dutch and called J/dlhnids, or corn bramly.
l694-] ANOTHER FUTILE ATTE.Ml'T. 167
very dangerous Creatures. N"otwithstanding all this, after we had a long while work'd at getting off his Irons, by rubbing them with Stones, and the like, he being at liberty, put himself into the Water. When he had swum above three-quarters of the way, his Strength began to fail him, and, having both the Wind and Tide against him, could not advance a jot ; moreover, the Waters covering him every Moment, hinder'd him from making any sign of Distress. All this consider' d, the Seamen perceiving him, began to think him in danger ; therefore hoisting out their Boat, imme- diately row'd to his Assistance, and came just in time enough to save him. When they had brought him to the Ship, the Captain kept him till such time as he had recover'd his Spirits, yet afterwards sent him back again, but with his Assurance, that it was with all the Regret imaginable he did so. I am of Opinion he herein acted a little too cautiously, and that whilst those Gentlemen were with us we mio^ht have concerted Measures of saving our selves without ex- posing them to any Danger.^ As they were thoroughly satis- fy'd we were Persons unjustly detain'd, and inhumanly treated by that cruel Hangman- of a Governor who would needs be both Judge and Witness in his own Cause ; they might so have order'd Matters as to have cast Anchor, seemingly
1 " The captains of sbips in the service of the Dutch East India Company are obliged, by their articles, to consult their lieutenants respecting the course to be steered ; and if they cannot agree, a council is to be summoned, consisting of the five principal officers on board, including the captain, where the matter is decided by a majority of votes. This council likewise takes cognizance of whatever, not relating directly to the navigation of the ship, may be called extra- ordinary circumstances; and determines, among other things, respecting the diminution or increase of the allowance to the ci-ew ; the touching at any places for reparation or refreshment ; the time to be passed there, etc., as per Arts, in, iv, v, and vi of the East India Company's Artikel-bricf, or articles of agreement, entered into by the persons in their employ." (Wilcocke, op. cit., i, p. 162.)
2 In orig. : " par un voleur & un Bourreau.''
1G8 ILL SUCCESS. [1694.
and without any Design, nearer to our Piock, which was free for them to do, or at least sail' J so near us on their Departure, that they might have pretended it but common Charity to have taken up poor Wretches whom they saw floating on the Water on Planks, without troubling their Heads any farther. Moreover, 'twas probable for them to imagine some Vessel had been shipwreck'd, and that we five were part of the Crew that had labour'd to save our Lives, and stood in need of their Iielief. Let what Difficulties then will be rais'd, a way might have been found out to have dealt with them ; and if any Dangers were to be apprehended in Holland or at Batavia, it is we must have answer 'd, who broke our Chains, and surpriz'd our Deliverers, and not they, who would have been suppos'd to have known nothing of the matter. But nothing of this came into their Heads, and the poor La Case return'd the same Evening, very much concern'd, that he could not bring his end about. This ill Success of his, occasion'd others who were preparing to attempt the same method of Escape, to alter their Kesolutions.^
Some few days after the Ship went and anchor'd above a large League from us, yet we resolv'd to make a second and new Attempt. For this purpose we ty\l all our Chests together after we had fill'd them with what we had left, and made a sort of Float,^ thinking to reach the Ship while it was Niglit, that we might not be discover'd from the Island. As I was generally Sick, they were fain to carry me to the Machine, soon after which we put ourselves off to Sea; but met with such rapid Currents and Eddy's,^ that we thought we were happy that w^e could get safe back again. Thus we were entirely disappointed of all Hopes of freeing our selves
1 In orig.: " voyant qu'il leur seroit impossible dc n'ussir," omitted by translator.
^ In orig.: " radean," i.e., raft.
3 In orig.: " des courants raiiides& contraires, il nous fut impossible de les vaincrc."
1 695-] DIODATI'S MARRIAGE. 1G9
by these means ; for soon after the Ship set Sail in earnest, and we heard no more of her.^ One day as the Governor was going to be marry'd to the Daughter of an ancient inha- bitant of the Island, he happen'd to be in so good a humour, that he order'd me to be brought a-shoar. I had then lan- guish'd under my Infirmity eight Months, M'hich he very well knew. Tho' I were thus fortunate, I had no opportunity to serve my Companions, since I never saw the Governor ; yet I reap'd this advantage to my self, that being better fed, and having better Air to breath in, I began to recover part of my former Strength. In the mean time my two other innocent Companions, who still remain'd with the Accus'd, having a long time resisted the Inclemencies of the Air by their Youth and Vigour, fell sick of the same Disease that I had.
They wrote as soon as they possibly could to the Governor, to intreat him tliat they like-wise might come a-shoar, offering to do any work for the Company without Wages, but they were not heard. Then they beg'd of him to send them some fresh Provisions, which prevailed on him one day so far, that he sent them a Calf, giving them at the same time to understand, that if any of them all did but presume to come a-shoar on the Island without his Leave, they should repent of it as long as they liv'd.
They continued in this bad Condition till the season of the Eains and Winds came, which very much augmented their Indisposition. The Ninth of February^ they underwent a
1 In orig. : " nous vimcs jiartir le Vaisscau avec le chagrin qu'on pent s'imaginer de ne nous en aller pas avcc lui."
2 1695. According to Mr. Thcal, this storm occasioned such severe loss to the Company that it was one of the causes that led to the aban- donment of the colony in the island. (Vide History of South Africa, op. cit., p. 51.) Baron Grant says : " The general state of the weather throughout the year is as follows :
"January. — Rainy and warm. Storms, which are sometimes accom- panied by thunder, though by no means violent ; and, as the tempestuous
170 A ILltlOlS IIUIJRICAXE. [1695.
furious Hurricane. That dreadful Tempest over-turn'd the greatest part of the Hutts, and more solid Luildings of the Island ; all the Plantations were destroy 'd, and a great number of Trees torn up by the Ifoots. None knew wliere to shelter tliemselves, and even those that were in the strongest Stone-Houses were hardly secure.
"What then, thought I, must become of my poor exil'd Brethren, whereof one, the Sieur Testard, had but that day let himself Blood with a Ben-knife ? Their vile Hut was carry'd away like a reed, and what remain'd of their Provi- sions, etc. was wet by the Rain and spoil'd ; nay, 'twas a par- ticular Mercy they were nut carried away themselves by this Whirl-Wind ; for had not Providence directed them to a Hole in the Pock, or a Cave,^ they had been in Danger. Here they peaceably sung the praises of the Almighty amidst the Tempest, tho' sore afllicted with Hunger, Cold and Sick- ness. They continued there twenty four Hours and above,
season approaches, all navigation is suspended till the month of April,
when the fields become green and the whole landscape assumes a more
cheerful appearance.
" February. — Violent gales of wind and hurricanes, with thunder.
These hurricanes, wliicli till the year 1789 were constant in this month,
have since that time entirely ceased ; but the inhabitants have not a
sufDcient dependence on this circumstance as to be wholly unprepared
for them, in case they should return and renew their former ravages."
{Op. cil., p. 12.)
1 " And like a living grave
Below the surface of the lake
The dark vault lies wherein we lay.
We heard it ripple night and day :
Sounding o'er our heads it knocked ;
And I have felt the winter's spray
Wash through the bars when winds were high
And wanton in the happy sky ;
And then the very rock hath rock'd,
And 1 have felt it shako, unshock'd,
Because I could have smiled to see
The death that would have set me free."
(Byron, Prisoner of CIt'dloii, vi.)
i6gs-] ^ MODERN Busiras. 171
witlioiit daring to peep out, during which the sick Persons suffer'd exceedingly. The hard-hearted Governor^ neverthe- less had no Pity upon them ; on the contrary, two days after they had undergone these Torments, he had the Inhumanity to order, without any Pteason or Pretence, that the two accus'd Persons should be chain'd together, notwithstanding they were already in Irons, and so weak, thro' Sickness^ that they could hardly stir.
Over and above a Bloody-Flux, which one had been tor- mented with above a year, he had likewise a lingering Con- sumption. 'Tis true, they were not bound above ten Days, but then they w^ere still continu'd in their first Irons ; and the sickest of them was conducted a-shoar and put in the Siomhs in Prison. Fifteen days after, the Tyrant who sported with us just as a Cat does with a INIouse, order'd him to the Ptock again, whatever the Surgeon could say to the contrary ; and made me be carry'd along with him, without suffering me to see or speak with him. Altho' I was pretty well recover'd, I was soon overtaken with my Bloody-Flux, and whatever Instances I could make to come a-shoar again were rejected. This Busiris- would needs Murther us with a slow Fire, not daring to do it all at once.
1 In orig.: " avec son coeur de Pharaou,'" omitted by translator. a Biisirif!, the son of Neptune and King of Egypt, wiio sacrificed his guest Thrasius, who had prophesied that the inundation of the Nile would take place only by human sacrifice. This experiment was also about to be tried on Hercules, but the hero slew the tyrant. Ovid fre- quently alludes to him, and, considering Leguat's aversion to Latin verses, this classical quotation would seem to belong to Misson. " Sfevior es tristi Busiride : sajvior illo. Qui falsum lento torruit igne bovem."
{Ovidli Nasonis Trisliiim, lib. iii, .'50.)
" Si te vidisset cultu Busiris in isto ; Iluic victor victo nempe pudendus eras."
{Epistolx IIcroidHm, ix ; Dcianara Ikrculi, 69.) " Ergo ego focdantem peregrino teinpla cruore
Busirin domui?" .
{Mclainoriihosiii, lib. ix, lb2.)
172 PLANTANE-LEAF HATS. [1695.
The Sieur Tcstard, one of the Accus'd, finding liis ]\Ialady encreasc to a dangerous Degree, did all he could to be like- wise carry'd a-shoar, but in vain. He wrote Letter upon Letter, offered to part with all he had in tlie World ; and in fine, consented to be laid up in the Stomhs in Prison if ho might but have this Favour, but all to no purpose.^
At length perceiving all his Endeavours fruitless, he resolv'd to pass over without leave, in case he could bring his design aljuut, and to seek for that Relief in the Woods from Brutes, which one, who call'd himself a Christian, refus'd so obstinately. But before we enter upon that melancholy Adventure, and to interrupt a little so disagreeable a relation, I thought it not improper to insert here a few Particulars of the Place of our Exile, and of divers Matters that happeu'd there to us.
As we did all we could to divert our Melancholy, some amongst us that were Innenious, amus'd themselves with making Hats of Plantane-'Le^yQ^P' Tlicre were some of these Trees in one of the two Islands that lay on each side of our Pock, as may be seen liy the Map. We could go to these Islands at low Water in the full and new of the Moon, so that it was not very difficult for us to get those Leaves. This Invention did not only serve to divert us, but likewise procur'd us Sustenance ; for those that brought us our Pro- visions, were so taken with our Ingenuity, that we gained their Affection considerably by presenting them with some of
* In orig.: " mais rien de tout cela ne fut ecoute."
2 In Baron Grant's map, south of the lie de la Passe and Fouquets I. is an islet named the He dos Vaquos. This evidently was the islet where Lcguat's party obtained i\w\v jihinUuic leaves fur tlie bats. If so, the name " plantane" was applied by Leguat to the PatidauHa screw- jjine as well as to the Lalaiikr i)alm. The name Vaquoas I. is now given to the centre island, and the south island is named the He de la Passe. At the north-east entrance of the jiort, opjTOsite lioth's Bay, in Van Braam's map is marked '■^ Zandplaat met ecu Kluppcr-lioom^^ — a sand- bank with one Filao tree. It seems that there were more trees on these islets in those days than there are now.
1 695-] A FRIGHTFUL SEA-SERPENT. 173
them. The Inhabitants of tlie Island also were so well pleas'd with our Work that they sent us fresh Trovisions, unknown to Diodati, in exchange for some of it. These Eefreshments were a great Comfort to us, and we got some sometimes from those that brought us our Salt-Edibles. As we had always been very desirous to take some Eish to relieve our Necessities, and Avere frequently refus'd even the very pieces of our Netts to fish with, we thought of an Inven- tion to serve us instead of them. The Hurricane having left some ruins of our Hut, we took a long Pole and having found a large Nail among the Boards,^ we fixed it with the point outwards, at the end of the Pole, and with that instru- ment darted the Fish where-ever we could see them. Now between the Eock and the Eoad where the Vessels ride, there is a large space which remains dry when the Sea is gone out, as it always does at the full and new ]\Ioon. There, at certain distances, you find Pitts of three or four Poot deep, where the Sea ever leaves some Fish when it retires. It was in these Pitts or Pools that we darted the Fish we speak of.2
After we had once hit upon this Invention, we made so good use of it, that we never wanted Fish. We made Provi- sion of them for eight or ten days, and had a way to keep them Sweet. We one day darted one, or rather knock'd him o' th' Head, that was like to have cost us our Lives. It was a frightful Sea-Serpent, which weigh'd about GO Pound, and which we in our great Simplicity, took for a large Lamprey or Eel? This Animal seem'd to us very extraordin-
* In orig. : "que nous trouvamcs parmi des morceaux de vicilles planches qu'on nous avoit apportees pour faire du feu."
2 In orig. : " avoc notre baton ferr6," omitted by translator.
3 Col. Tike, American Consul at Mauritius in 1887, relates, in his Suhtropical Ramhhs, how he caught a monster cave eel on the reef in Mapou Bay, some twenty miles from where Leguat had been imprisoned : "This monster eel measured twelve feet three inches in length, and round the largest part of the head fourteen and a half inches. The
174 A POISONOUS MONSTER. [1695.
ary, for it had Fins, and we knew not that there were any such Creatures as Sea-Serpents ; ^loreover, we had been so aceustom'd to discover Creatures that were new to us, both at Land and Sea, that we did not think this to be any other than an odd sort of Eel that we had never seen before ; yet M'hicli we could not but think, more resembled a Snake than an Eel. In a word, this IMonster had a Serpent or Crocodiles Head, and a Mouth full of hook'd, long and sharp Teeth, not unlike those of the liattle-Snake so well known in America, but much larger. This is a strange Eel quoth we, what Teeth he has! But have not Sharks, Pikes, and a thousand other Fish Teeth too ? No matter. Teeth or not, we must tast of him. We then began to poult^ him about the Mouth and Head with our Pole, and at length carry'd him off in Triumph, like St. George when he kill'd the Dragon. We found his filthy Flesh very tough, and of a bad Tast ; so that as good luck would have it, we swallow'd none- of it, it being in truth Poyson, We were all over-taken with a strange Weakness, we sweated exceedingly, we vomited even
head of this species termiuates in a blunt point, the two small eyes not more than an inch from the end. The large mouth is filled with long, sharp teeth, even the roof is covered with those formidable weapons. This eel is very dangerous, but not so common as reported. There are several species of this genus, but none so large as this'' (p. 346).
Col. Pike was also attacked on the reefs off Pointe aux Caves by an eel called Anguille Moiele : " He was about three feet long, and when I struck at liim he came directly towards me, biting at my boots. I beat him off and speared him. This singular eel is banded black and white, edged with salmon colour, and has one round black spot on the •white bands. It is a fierce, voracious creature, bolder than a snake, and in his rage be runs his head out of the water like one. The bite of this eel is venomous, I am told, but I have not heard of any accidents from it." {Ibid., I. c, p. 286.) The present writer saw Captain llay-IIiil, Consul at Reunion, severely bitten by an eel, when gatliering shells at Black River, in 1864. (Cf. Relation dc I' tie llodrigue. Appendix B.)
1 To kill poultry : an old hawking term. (Halliwell's Did. of Archaic Words.)
2 In orig.: " nous n'en mangeames gurros'' (we ate but little of it).
l695-] DANGEROUS CITRONS. 175
Blood, and for my part, T can affirm with a great deal of Sin- cerity, that I was terribly Sick : For a Month together I felt sharp pains in my Belly, and ever every day towards Night, I liad a fit of a Fever,^ a Distemper altogether unknown in this part of the "World. ]\Iy Companions were all sick like- wise, and in this bad condition we made Signals to demand Eelief, but in vain. When our Purveyors came, we related to them what had happen'd to us, and shew'd them the Eel's Head, but they only said they had never seen the like : These sort of People take but little notice of any thing. At length we began to come to our selves again, fully resolved to eat no more of that sort of Eel, for it never came into our Heads tliat it was a Serpent : Nevertheless we were ready to leap out of our Skins, when the Governor sent us a Salt- Hind,^ and certain dangerous Citrons,^ whicli always do harm ; he had his Eeasons for it, I suppose, for he did not think fit to assassinate or poyson us openly.
As we had no likelihood to get rid speedily of our unliappy Confinement, we thought it but l^rudence to manage'* our Rice, which the Sea-Officers had left us, cautiously : We eat of it but twice a Week, and when we did it was a feast to us. After we had reduc'd it to Meal, we mix'd about two pounds of it with a certain sort of Gourd^ well enough tasted, which some of our Correspondents in the Island had sent us pri- vately in exchange for our Hatts : We had a kind of Game
^ In orig. : " accident d'autant plus notable que la fievre est une nialadie iuconnue dans ces pais-la." IMauritius was considered healthy prior to the terrible epidemic fever of 18C6, which almost decimated the in- habitants. This peculiar fever is now endemic in the low parts of the island.
2 In orig. : " de la Biche-en-rut.''
3 Possibly the Vontac, Strychnos VoJitac, or Vangassaj/e, Citrus Va7i- ijassayc (?) ; the citrons, oranges, and shaddocks of the island are whole- some enough.
* In orig.: " de menager," to husband, to economise their supply of rice. •'■ Cnrurhita potcria : in orig. Cifrouillcs ; perhaps the Creole palole^ or snake-gourd {Trirlu)miites niir/nina).
17G FERRETS OR QUERETS. [1695.
among us which sometimes diverted us. The Cake we made was divided into lour Parts, and we were to throw a Die which should have each Part, so that one must be excluded^ ; and who no doubt was not a little mortify'd to see the others eat, whilst lie must fast.
In the Galleys, Dungeons, and such-likc-miserable Places that are like to stick by a jNIan,- it is a common thing to re- concile one's self, in some Measure, to one's Misery, and amuse one's self one way or other. I have already told you, our Piock lay between two small Islands, which at low Water one might go to, but not without Difficulty. In one of these Islands, among other Trees, there were some Plantanc- Trees, but the other was wholly unprovided of any. The Wood- Island was every Night the general Rendezvous of a great number of certain Sea-Birds,^ which are about the bigness of a Pigeon, and not much unlike one. They lay their Eggs upon the Sand very near one another, and do not lay above one at a time ; If you take away one, they match him with a new one, and so will do three times together. These Birds, which we call'd Ferrets because we fancy 'd we heard them sound that word, have this in particular, that if you take away any of their young, the Cocks and Hens of the others
1 In orig.: " en sorte que I'un des cinq fut exclus, & eut reeours a quelquo petite csp^ce de Philosophie d'Aprenti-Moine, pour voir manger les autros, sans en f aire paroitre da chagrin." Apprcnti-Mviuc, a coi^ teniptuous term for a postulant, or novice, in a convent.
2 In orig.: "dans lescachots mcmes, & dans les etats les plus f/lcheux de la vie qui tirent en longueur, on se fait une certaine habitude de sa niisere."
3 " Certain Sea-Birds." Sir Edward Newton thinks tliat these are probably some species of tern, perhajis Sterna ann'sthcla, which birds a fijw years ago bred on some of the small islets off the windward shore of iNIauritius. {Vide supi-a, p. 81.) M. de la Caille speaks of a number of birds which flew round his ship, which he calls Goikttcs. In a note appended to this remark. Baron Grant suggests, or " Qucrcta (Gulls) Lartt.t, Brixson." (Grant, /. c, p. 371.) In the anonymous Ihladon de I'ile Rodrirpic, certain Equcrctx are mentioned. ( Vide Appendix B.)
mi ^
iti 11
^|';ii!i'::'''''f!
I'll!
i'M
l69S-] DELICIOUS EGCxS. 177
will forsake theirs too. If you keep these young Birds alive, and expose thera to the sight of the old ones, tliey will fly about them 'tis true, but never bring them anything ; and altho' they hear them cry never so much f(U- Hunger, they will give them nothing to eat.' The first time we went to that Island, we brought away three or four Dozen of these young Birds, with some old ones. As the former were very fat and look'd well, we roasted them, and found them to have somewhat of the tast of a Snipe, as they resembled that Bird in Colour ; but they did us a great deal of harm, and we were never tempted to eat of them afterwards. The old ones have yet a more disagreeable Tast, and no doubt are more unwholsom. The next time we return'd to that Island, after we had taken away these young Birds I have l)een speaking of, we found all the rest of the young ones abandon'd by the old ones, and whereof great numbers were dead, and many dying for Hunger. If the Flesh of this Bird is so crude and pernicious, their Eggs make you sufficient amends, nothing being more wholsom and delicious. I counted that during our stay under this Confinement, we eat above twelve Thousand, and we were never incommoded in the least by them. These Eggs are spotted with Grey, and larger than those of Pigeons. It happens exactly, that the three months when these Birds lay their Eggs, the Deer are in their Eutting- time, so that tho' the Flesh of that Beast be unwholsom, and stinks abominably at that Season, which nevertheless was our ordinary Food/ we made our selves ample amends by these
1 In orig. : " ils les laissent neanmoins pcrir .ssans aucnn secours," omitted by translator.
2 Venison as ordinary food in Mauritius. "Our venison," says Baron Grant in 1741, " which is fat, is very good, and serves us instead of beef; but it must be got from the forests, where the deer are very numerous : on account of tlie heat and their fat they are easily taken. It is, however, a circumstance to be lamented that, from the tempera- ture of the air, fresh meat cannot be kept longer than two days.'' {Op. cit., p. 195.)
N
178 GUZMAN d'alfarache. [ 1*^95 •
Eggs, especially when our Fishing was not Prosperous, as we could not expect it should be always. Altho' these Eggs were many times ready to put forth their young, we toss'd them up in a Fricassee, and crunch'd them between our Teeth, as if they had been the best Disli in the World, though I know some squeamish and scrupulous People^ would not have the same Opinion of it. This Fricassdc made me to think of the famous Guzman d'Alfarache,^ who comjilaiu'd that his Gutts came up to his Teeth when he crak'd the Still-born Chicken- Bones ; yet this Remembrance did not at all disgust me, so true the Proverb is, which I think I have made use of before, that HiLiiger is the hcst Sauce,^ especially where that which one eats is not bad, but thro' Opinion. There came also upon our Rock divers other Birds, which we call'd Pluto's,'^ because they were as black as Crows ; they had almost the same size and form, only their Bills were longer, and hook'd at the end. Their Feet were like those of a Duck. These Birds remain six Months of the year at Sea, without being
1 In orig. : " encore qu'un pareil ragout fasse horreur a ceux dont la cuisine se gouverue par la mode ; & qui aiment ou n'aiinent pas les choses, selon le caprice de la coutume & du prcjnge.''
2 Guzman d'Alfarache, a character in a Spauisli romance by Mateo Aleman : Le Sage is said to have borrowed the Life of Gil Bias from this prototype of a knave, stable boy, swindler, and merchant, 1599. In the catalogue of books, sold by the publishers of the English version of Leguat's Voyage, advertised at the end of the volume, appears " The Life of Guzman D'Alfarache : To which is added the celebrated Tragi-Comedy Caelestuia, written in Spanish by j\fatco Akman, done into Enf/lixh froni the new French version, and compar'd with the origi- nal by several hands. Adorn'd with Sculptures by G (if par Bout tats in two Volumes in octavo.^'
3 Vide supra, p. 13, " il n'est sauce que d'appetit" (" There's no sjiuce like a good stomach").
* Fon or Foufjuct ; Pterodroma alcrrivia, Proccllaria aterrima, black petrel (Verreaux), would answer the description of the plutos, but it is only known in Reunion. The birds here mentioned, Sir Edward Newton says, are j)robably l^itjjinus chlorori/nrhus^ which bred on the He aux Fouquets, one of the little islets near the Isle de la Passe, a few years ago. (Vide supra, p. 81, ct Appendix B.)
1 695-] A LAEGE SEA TORTOISE. 179
ever seen at Land ; and tlie other six, tliose of the Neigh- bourhood come and drive them from our Eock where they lay their Eggs. Their cry is ahnost as loud as that of a Calf, and they always make the greatest noise at Night. A Days they are very quiet, and so exceeding tame, that you may take their Eggs from under them without their Stirring, They lay in tlie Holes of the Kocks, as far in as they can. These Birds are excessive fat, very ill tasted, extreamly nasty, and very unwholsom. Although their Eggs were not a whit better than their Flesh, we did not fail to feed on them when necessity requir'd. They are white, and as large as those of two of our Pullets. When you have taken their Eggs from them, they go out of their Holes and fall a fighting with one another, till they fetch Blood.
Going a walking one Night, we found a Sea-Tortoise^ which came very a projws, because we at that time stood in great need of Eefreshment. It was very large and afforded us near 150 Eggs. This was the only Creature of this kind we had seen all the while we had been there. In the place where we went to dart Fish, we found Shells^ of an Oval Figure, and wonderfully speckled and streak 'd like the Skin of a Tyger.^ These Shells we made use of for Cups.
At length the too just Eeasons we had to believe that tho' any Vessel should arrive, the Governor* would not suffer us to go on Board it, made us resolve anew to think on some
^ Col. Pike observed a very fine turtle {Testndo unhricata), which he could have easily captured, at three hours' rowing from the He de la Passe. They formerly abounded on that coast, but are now rarely seen. (Vide Suhtropical Ramhles^ p. 328.)
2 In orig. : " des coquillcs qu'on appelle de Venus.''
3 Perhaps Ti-itoiis. The striped varieties of the Tritmi ruticnhnn are very handsome when taken alive, especially the scarlet and yellow varieties (Pike, op. cif., 265). Baron Grant mentions one of the ^^Por- cclnincs''^ {Cypr.vn sp.) as being spotted like a tiger. Situated as the island is in the midst of the Indian Ocean, its reefs have become the home of an infinite variety of molluscs.
"• In orig. : " toujours inexorable," omitted by translator.
N 2
180 A GREAT FIRE. [1695.
means tliat mi^'lit baffle liis Malice. For this purpose we forni'd a Design to build us a sort of Boat. Now having gain'd mightily upon our Purveyors, and divers Inhabitants of the Island, by sending them our Leaf-Hatts, we obtain'd fiom them in exchange several Deer-Skins, and Ox-Hides, under pretence that we wanted them to make Shooes of. They sent us likewise several Poles that we desir'd of them ; and we by other Pretences got at different times a good quantity of Pitch from them. Having thus provided all that was necessary for our Design, we cover'd the Carcass of our Boat with Skins sew'd together ; and upon Tryal, found it would do our business well enough ; and to the end that our I'urveyors might know nothing of the matter, we hid our new Skiff carefully in the hole of a Rock. Now it happen'd one Night that one of our Company being awake, and looking towards the Island, he cliscover'd a great Fire ; he call'd to us, and we presently judg'd it was the Fort that was on fire. The Governors Appartment, the Magazine and Guard-House were of Stone ; but the other Buildings, and even a little Chapel,^ were compos'd of nothing but Branches and Leaves. We presently concluded, that if the Authors of this Fire, which we look'd upon as done out of Malice, were not soon known, the Governor would not fail to suspect us of it, or at least pretend so to do, that he might treat us after a more rigorous manner than he had hitherto done if that were possible. This made us think he would soon visit us, and if he should find the Boat we had just made, there would l)e )io Mercy for us. To prevent this, we immediately pull'd that Machine to pieces, and so dispos'd of the Materials that 'Iwas impossible they should occasion the least Suspicion, A few days after Experience convinc'd us we were not in the wrong in our Conjectures, for our Purveyors acquainted us that we had been Suspected. They also related to us some
> 111 oriic. : " le petit Temple."
Mf%*^ 111
1 695-] CRUEL rUNISIIMENTS. 181
Circumstances of this rire,^ which I shall beg leave to inform the Reader of. The Governor understanding a Negro Slave had committed a piece of Eoguery in his Kitchin, he told him he would have him chastis'd. Now the way here to punish^ these sort of People when they were found in any fault, was to bind them naked to a Ladder, and scourge them with a Piod made of Eeeds, with knots at the end. When Ihey had made their Bodies all bloody, they were to be rubb'd with Pepper and Vinegar. This unhappy Ncfp-o fearing this Punishment, fled soon after he had been thus threatened, and plotted with one of his Comrades and two Najro Women to set fire to the Fort ; they executed their Purpose, but they were soon after taken and punish^l, as they well deserv'd. The Men were broken alive on the
» Subsequently, on the 15th November 1707, when Abraham Monimcr van de Velde, the Ondcrkoopman, became Oiii3erhoofd in the island, the whole of the Dutch East India Company's premises at Fort Frederik Ilendrik were totally destroyed by fire, on which occjision the books, records, and goods in the magazines were burnt, and the whole establisli- ment ruined. This event coming so soon after other severe losses, and as the small penal colony contributed nothing beyond a little ebony timber and ambergris to commerce, it was decided to abandon the place, and instructions were sent to this effect in February 17C8, which were carried out in the following year. (See History of S. Africa, by Theal, vol. ii, p. 51.)
2 The treatment of slaves in the colonies of all nationalities as late as 1821 was frightful. The floggings are represented as dreadful. The instrument was a rattan split so as to form a powerful cat of two or three tails. This instrument would lacerate the flesh like a knife, and weighed upwards of seven pounds. Females were flogged, and even children as well as men, and the lacerated flesh was afterwards rubbed with lime-juice, or salt and pepper.
Fugitive slaves were thus treated; for the first offence the slave's ears were cut off, and he was branded on one shoulder. For the second offence his hamstrings were cut and he was branded on the other siioulder. The third offence was capital. A slave who struck his master, mistress, or children was punished capitally. (See Blac-Book, July 1828, and Asiatic Journal, 1829, p. 282.)
182 A GHASTLY KAFFLE. [1695.
Wheel,' and the two Women were hang'd. We have been so confidently assur'd of a singular Action relating to one of these unhappy Wretches, tliat I can't doubt the truth of it. He had, it seems, ever had an extreme Passion for Dice, so that when he came to the place of Execution, he requir'd with great earnestness, that some-one of the standers-by ■would oblige him so far, as to play a Game or two with liim at EafHe, protesting that after that he should die with all manner of Satisfaction. If he had any design in this, no body was able to dive into it ; however there was no stander- by that would oblige him in what he desir'd.
To speak Truth, the Governor had taken too much liberty upon this occasion, for by reason of the many unjust pro- ceedings of his Predecessors, the Compani/ had left them only a Power of accusing as well Blacks as Whites, as our Tyrant himself once confess'd, in relation to our accus'd Brethren ; for one of them having petition'd liim to be brought upon his Tryal, and not suffer'd to lie any longer in his Irons, he answer'd,''^ he had no power to try Inm, and that
1 John Splinter Stavoi'inus, who was a rear-admiral in the naval service of the States- General, states that the punishments were very severe in the Dutch Colonies, especially with regard to Oriental slaves. In the year 1768 he saw, at the Cape, one, who had set a house on fire, broken alive upon the wheel, after the flesh had been torn from his body, in eight different places, with red-hot pincers, without his giving any sign of pain during the execution of this barbarous sentence, which lasted full a quarter of an hour. Impalement was also practised at the Cape, as well as at Batavia. Stavorinus gives some hideous details of the impalement which he saw practised on a INIacassar slave at Batavia in 1769. (See Voyages to the East Indies, by Stavorinus, translated by S. H. Wilcocke, vol. i, pp. 288, 571.)
'^ In orig. : " naiveraent," omitted by translator. Stavorinus says that the administration of justice at the Cape was confided to a sepan>,te Council, of which the second in command of the colony was president. In civil matters an appeal lay from their sentence to the Council of Justice at Batavia. In criminal affairs they were empowered both to pass sentence of death and to jjut it into innnediate execution. Officers were appointed in the out stations of the colony (Mauritius was a dopendoncy of the ("ape) railed i/nisfs or
1 695-] ENGLISH SHIPS. 183
if he had had any, he shoukl have been dispatch'd long ago. Since I am engag'd in these little Digressions, I must tell you, that 'tM'as all that the Governor and some of his Friends and Attendants could do, to save themselves in their Shirts. They owM the saving of their Lives to a Prisoner, who lying in Irons in the Guard Eoom perceiv'd the fire first ; what was best in the Magazine was likewise sav'd.
Much about this time there came into the Eoad of tlie North-West Haven,^ two Enfjlish Ships,'^ but as that place was distant from our Eock above twelve Leagues, we had no knowledge of them till afterwards. Besides, the Governor forbid our Purveyors under severe Penalties to acquaint us with it, rightly judging, that if we knew it, we would use our utmost efforts to get to them.
We were told afterwards, that one of the Captains of those Ships understanding our Confinement, was going to send for us, as well because he pity'd our Condition, as that he wanted Men. His Boat was certainly hoisted out, and arm'd with several small pieces of Canon, in order to carry us off, but ill Weather iuterven'd, and hinder'd his charitable Purpose.
I now come to speak further of the design of the Sieur
sheriffs, avIio arrested criminals, but had no power of trying or judging them ; it was necessary to send \x\) criminals to the Council of Justice to be examined and punished. (Wilcocke, op. cit., p. 671.)
1 Port Louis ; vide mite, p. 146 ; also Appendix.
2 "The English", writes le Sieur Luillier. in 1701, "send several ships yearly into India, the number of them not fix'd, and drive a considerable trade, yet much inferior to the Dutch, for they receive little more in return than the value of the plate they send over from Europe, the profit of the commerce from place to place in the country, going to defray the charges of their Officers, Forts and Factories; whereof if anything remains it makes up the lading of their ships. There is not so regular a method observ'd in the English as in the Dutch service, for every man returns when he pleases, and may stay in India as long as he wills ; and I have observ'd they are not so zealous in the service." (Translation by Symson, np. ciL, p. 323.)
184 testakd's ruojECT. [1695.
Testard luul to endeavour to get a-slioar, come what would of it. This poor Man was one of the Persons accus'd : He per- ceiving that his Malady encreas'd, that the Governor would hearken neither to Prayers nor I'romises, and that conse- quently there was no hopes of being speedily deliver'd, tho' any new Ship should arrive : This poor Man, I say, being no longer able to resist the violent Passion he had to breath a freer and better Air, and to go seek in the midst of Woods, Nourishment that was properer for his Health, than that he now had ; he communicated to us his Project, and we con- ceived it both difiicult and dangerous to put it in execution, look on it on which side we would. We endeavoured to make him comprehend the ill consequences of it ; we repre- sented to him, that the Pass was above twelve^ Leagues, that his Float could be made only of Weeds, since we had no more Barrels to put at the end of it, as we had done to tliat of the Gold-smith ; that supposing he should have the good fortune to get to Land, it would be impossible for him to live in those Woods, because they were not such as here at Isle Maurice'^; there were few Tortoises to be had, and no Birds that would suffer themselves to be taken by hand, no more than other Animals. We urged, moreover, that in a little while he would be without Cloaths, exposed to the inclemencies of the Air, and that after all, it was in a manner unavoidable but the Hunters must meet with him, who would assuredly resign him into the hands of his Enemy : We added, that when he should be found no longer among us, that evil Persecutor would, it may be, accuse us of having kill'd him in some Quarrel, and that therefore he ought to leave a Letter for him, and another for us, in some
1 lu oiig. : " j)liis de deux lieiies." The distance from Fouqucts island to the nearest mainland is actually two miles and three-quarters.
2 A misprint or bad translation ; in original, the passage runs : " i)arce qu'il n'en ctoit pas de mcme dans cttte lie conime a Rodriijnc, oil Ton trouvoit \rM- tout de quoi sc nourir ; n'y ayant (juc trcs-pcu do Tortucs a Maurice."
l695-] A FLOAT OF WEEDS. 185
corner of our Hut, that we might be able to defend our selves, when we were so accus'd. In a word, we forgot nothing that might disswade him from so unfortunate a Eesolution, but all we could say, was to little purpose. He work'd alone at his Float, no body being willing to assist him in making an Instrument for his Destruction^: He made it of bundles of Weeds and Poles bound together, but which was done very ill, and it would not have been better if we had assisted him. He nevertheless resolv'd to make use of it, and told us at parting, that he would not fail to appear every Month upon one of the Mountains over against the Eock, where he would make a fire at the beginning of the Night, that should precede or follow the Full-Moon ; that if we continu'd in the same place, Ave should answer him by a like Signal, or otherwise he should take such neglect for a Token that we were a-shoar, and consequently would meet us soon after at a place agreed upon ; but withal, assur'd us, that so soon as ever he could spy any Vessel in what part of the Isle soever, he would certainly get on board her if possible.''^ The set time for his Departure being come, he fasten'd his Float by a stake near our Hut, and came to take his leave of us ; but whilst he was longer than ordinary in acquainting us with
^ *' From neighbouring woods he interlaced His sorry skiff with wattled willows ; And thus equipped he would have pass'd The foaming billows.
" But Frenchmen caught him on the beach, His little Argo sorely jeering ; Till tidings of him chanced to reach Napoleon's hearing.
"Rash man, that wouldst yon channel pass On twigs and staves so rudely fashioned, Thy heart with some fair English lass Must be impassioned.''
(T. Campbell, Nupuleon and (he Sailor.) 2 In orig. : " Secrettement," omitted by translator.
ISC A SECRET DESIGN. [1695.
his Design, a Sea^ came and washed away his Float, which afflicted him exceedingly. For our parts we were no less joy- ful at it, especially when we saw it was carry'd by the Current towards the main Sea, and far enough oil" from the Island. If this accident had not happcn'd, we might quickly have seen our friend perish, without being able in the least to have help'd him. One would have thought this happy Misfortune might have made him more wise, and inclined him to forego his Eesolutiou, but he continued obstinate for all that, and would not hearken to the Keasons we gave, that what had happen'd cou'd never be by chance, but that Providence must needs have a hand in it, and that he ought to acquiess with Patience in what had been done, and resolve with us to endure Submissively, Avhatever God was pleas'd to impose further upon us. Now as nothing of all this had the desir'd effect upon him, in that he protested he would make another Float to execute his former Design, I thought myself oblig'd in Conscience to tell him, I would do all I could to hinder him ; that we must treat him like a ]\Iad-man, if he would throw himself away after that rate, and that even tho' I should be alone, I would do the best I could to prevent his Euin. He said no more to me, and seemed to acquiess in what I desir'd, imagining doubtless, that we were resolv'd to make our selves Masters of him, but secretly he still meditated the same Design. Perceiving it was impossible for him to make another Float without our Knowledge, he resolv'd to build a small Boat witli the lieast-skins, that we should know nothing of. As he was one that assisted in making ours, and knew we laid the things"^ under our Mattresses, he stole some away privately, and carry'd them to a Grot in the Kock, where he wrought on the Boat at spare hours. He liiiish'd this Machine in a short time and
1 In orig. : " il aniva que la mer qui moutuit ciilcva sa fragile barque.''
- lu orig. : " dus peaux de ccrf."
1696.] A FATAL DEPARTURE. 187
departed on Sunday Moruinfr, the lOtli of January 1696/ without saying a word to any Body, Next Morning calling him to our usual exercise of Prayer, we were surpris'd to find him gone : You may guess at our Concern. We went immediately and search'd among his Goods for Letters, not doubting but if he was really gone, he would leave some according to Promise. We found two ; in that directed for ns, he gave us a long account of his Intentions, assuring us if God was pleas'd to let him get safe to Land, he would break his little Boat to pieces, sink the Skins in the Sea under a heap of Stones and dispose so of other matters, that it should be impossible to find out that we assisted him in his escape.2 The other Letter was fur the Governor: It contaiu'd in Substance, that it was he that forc'd him to take that melancholy liesolution, by his cruel and obstinate refusal to suffer him to go a-shoar for recovery of his Health ; that he was now going into the Woods with tlie same design, and that he did not remove himself from Justice, since he would not fail to surrender himself in his hands, as soon as any Ship should arrive in the Port, lie carry'd along with him only a little Skillet,^ a Burning-glass to light fire, a Prayer-Book, and some few Cloaths.
Since this fatal Departure, we had never had the latest News of him, whatever enquiries we made after him. We perceiv'd none of the Signals he promised to give us, and all our searches after him were vain.
According to all probability this poor Man perish'd in liis Passage, or died miserably in the midst of the Woods, soon after his arrival in the Island. A report indeed came to our Ears, that the carcass of his Boat was found beaten to pieces
' In orig. : " la nuit du Samedi au Dimanche."
2 In orig. : " qu'on ne pourroit jamais decouvrir comment il auroit cchapc du Rocher, ni uoussoupfonnerd'avoireu part a son evasion.'' " We Lave the originals of these two letters in our possession" {iwlc in orhj.).
3 In orig. : " un petit poilon,'' /.c, poelon, a saucepan.
188 ESCAPE OF LA CASE. [1696.
after the manner lie promis'd in his Letter, but this was never confirm'd ; and about two years after, when we were at the Cape oi GoodIIo2)c,aYcss(i[ that came from lslelfawn'cc,assur'd us, there was never anything heard of him. See how our unfortunate Company was reduc'd to four persons, thro' the Tyranny of this hard-hearted Governor. After he came to understand the Escape of the Sieur Tcstard, both by our l\ir- veyor, and the Letter we sent him, he became never the better, and did not alter a whit of his Severity towards us that remain'd. On the contrary, he caus'd Irons to be put on the Legs of the Sieur La Hai/e, altho' he had never accus'd him of any tiling, and tho' he was exceeding sick thro' the hard- ships he underwent.^
Now as the Sieur Za Case perceiv'd that his Malady began to augment upon him, and that he must speedily take to his Bed, he resolv'd whilst he was able, to imitate the Sieur Tcsiarcl in his Enterprize, and go into the Woods in search of Health as he had done. He communicated his design to us, and beg'd of us not to oppose him, since it would be but in vain, adding, that if we would not consent, he would venture to swim over in the Night, rather than undergo any longer that miserable Confinement. We perceiving that he was fully bent on what he said, and that our refusal to comply with him might carry him to some desperate Action,- con- sented to what he desir'd, and lielp'd him to make a Float of Weeds and Boughs ; and we even repented of not having done the like for the poor Sieur Tcstard. We moreover set up a Mat made of Plantane-Leaves^ on his Eloat, to serve him for a Sail. He waited for a Night when both the Wind
1 In orig. : " & il traita les autres comme a I'ordinaire," omitted by- translator.
2 Id oiig. : " plutot desesper6e que t6meraire."
3 In orig. : " une natte de toile de Latauier." Perhaps the matting manufactured from pahn-fibre called ^^i-ahannes" in Mauritius ; or the mcoa mats from which at the present day bags are made for outer packing of the sugar in guuny-bags.
1696.] OUll ENLARGEMENT. 189
and Sea were high, and stipulated with ns the same Con- ditions the Sieur Tcstard had done. The Wind, which was very violent, over-set the Machine twice, but the Sieur La Case who was a good Swimmer, easily got up upon it again, and gain'd the Land in a short time, the favour of the Wind having preserved him from 'the fury of the Current. As soon as he was got a-shoar he made a fire, and we understood the Signal : He retir'd afterwards into the thickest Woods, and there pass'd the remainder of the Night. Next Morning as he has twice inform'd us, he rambled about all day without knowing whither he went, and that without finding aught either to eat or drink. It was the same thing for eight days following, so that if he had not taken some Pro- visions along with him, he must inevitably have perish'd with Hunger and Fatigue ; and moreover his Malady still augmented upon him. The eighth day he caught an Eel, which he greedily devour'd raw : The ninth he found a Path which led him to the House of an Inhabitant of the Island, who instead of relieving him, delivered him up to Soldiers, who carry'd him to the Fort.
The Governor apprehending least we should all escape one after another, and those who brought us Provisions con- firming the same thing,^ he was at length constrain'd by these Reasons, and some others, to let us come all ashoar. But to the end that this enlargement might not occasion us too excessive Joy, he had the charity to temper it by taking from us about 200 pounds of Ptice that had been left us, and which we had hitherto so carefully manag'd. This was about that time when Potatoes are good for nothincj, and then the Soldiers were oblig'd to buy Pice of the Governor at their own Charges.^ He gave them to understand that
' In orig. : " & les gens qui nous apportoicnt nos provisions sc plaignant sans cesse de la peine que cela leur dounoit."
2 " The Company pay a fixed price for every article. That of the rice is ten rix-dollars, or twenty-four gilders, for every coyanfi of 3,400
190 THE ROCK OF ZOCTIELET. [1696.
what Rice he had sav'd from the Fire was his own, and that lielonging to the Comjmny had been for some time exhausted. For our parts we could neither buy that, nor any thing else, having no Money, the Governor liaving taken care to rob us of it.
As I had left some Memoirs at Rodrigo, I likewise cnn- ceal'd some in a Hole of our Eock, (which I for a double Reason call the Rock of Zorkcld} 1 Kings i. 9j to which I added, an Abridgment of the History of our long and cruel Confinement in this melancholy and barren Place. I did not forget to observe in this short Relation, that a fatal piece of unknown Gum for a long while despis'd, had been the cause of our Tyrannical Persecution, and the deplorable Death of one of our dear Companions. So true it is what St. Paul says, that Covetousncss is the root of all Evil- and that those who have a mind to become Rich, fall into diabolical Snares, and many pernicious Desires, which at length precipitate them into the Abyss of Perdition.
pounds weight (equal to about l.f. 6r/. per cwt.) ; but when the harvest fails they sometimes pay five rix-dollars more ; or when the wants are very large, as in the year 1773, when the scarcity of this grain at Batacia, occasioned by a certain occurrence respecting the first administrator in the grain-magazine, was very great ; or when several succeeding harvests have failed, orders are then given to the residents to buy the rice immediately from the natives, and the coijang then stands them in fifty rix-dollars." (Stavorinus, op. c(7., vol. ii, p. 139.)
The administrators of the grain-magazines at the stations of the East India Company were allowed particular emoluments, and were to content themselves with respect to rice with one hundred pounds allowed upon each last, by resolution of 16th October 174-1. {Vide Stavorinus, I. c, vol. iii, Appendix, p. 486.)
^ " And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zohelcth* which is by En-rogel." (1 Kings, i, 9.)
2 " For the love of money is the root of all evil ; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Tim. vi, 10.)
* I.e., by the Sloiie of the Serpent.
1696.] A CANTICLE PENNED. 191
As soon as the good News of our Deliverance came to onr Ears, and that of our Departure from Isle Maurice for Batavia, I was not a little over -joy'd, for however Industrious I was to seek for Diversion, and even to appear Gay to encourage those poor young j\Ien with whom I was ; I must own, my Mind was not less indispos'd tlian my Body : Resides, I can't dissemble that I was exceedingly set against that inveterate and implacable Persecutor, but still had a greater Contempt for him, than Hatred. T could not endure that he should bear the fair name of Diodati, or said to be a Child of Geneva} But others affirm he was born at Doi^t. If any Mahometan of Algiers had us'd me yet worse, I could have born it patiently from him.
In this extream Joy that affected me, my Soul lifted it self up towards its Deliverer, and I pen'd a Song of Thanksgiving and Benediction, which I compos'd of divers passages of Scripture so happily link'd together, that I may say, they perfectly express'd our different Conditions. I busied my self a whole day about this comfortable Collection, and as it was nothing but the word of God, I thought it must needs be agreeable to this Eelation of my Adventures. But I observe some People at a distance, that assume a ridiculing Air upon this occasion ; methinks I hear them say, we have a great deal to do indeed with your Canticle, Formerly they were accounted Fools, that denied the Being of a God, but now forsooth, they must pass for Wits: Well Gentlemen,2you shall not have my Canticle, you are unwortliy of it. Holy Things are not your Inclination'' I find, and these Pearls shall not be thrown away upon you : I'll keep them for good Men, for you wise and honest Eeader, who are not to be carry 'd away by the Torrent of Prejudice,* therefore look
1 Vide supra, p. 145,
2 In orig, : " Messieurs les Beaux- Esprits," omitted by translator.
3 In orig. : " les choses saintes ne sont pas pour les Chiens." < In orig. : " perversite."
192 ARRIVAL OF THE SURAAG. [1696.
at the eml of my Relation, and you'll find the Canticle I speak of.^
The 6th of September 1G96 the Vessel call'd Sumag arnv'd, and brought Orders to carry us away. Our good and gene- rous Friends, the Officers of the Perseverance, oi whom I have already spoken, were so kind as to present our Letters and Petition to the Directors-General- in Holland, so that when the Governor found he could detain us no longer, he thought lit to let us know wliat had happen'd. He told us of it first himself, and bid us prepare to embark. \Ye expected that according to Custom, when a Ship arrives, an Assembly"^
' Vide infra,
2 Directors-General. "The administration of the Dutch East India Company is, in Holland, divided between six boards, or chamhcrs, having session at different places, viz., one at Amsterdam, which being the most considerable, is called the presidial chamber ; this is composed of twenty-four directors, of whom eighteen are chosen by the magis- trates of Amsterdam, four by the cities of Dort, Harlem, Let/den, and Gonda, and the two others by the provinces of GtlderJand and Friselaiid; besides these, there are four of the chief proprietors, who in certain cases have session with the directors : the chamber of jSHddlelmrgli is the second in rank ; it has thirteen directors, twelve chosen by the cities oi Zealand, and the thirteenth by the province of (lelderland .... next the chamber of Delft .... the chamber of Rotterdam .... that of
Ham the chamber of Enkhuisen. . . . The places where these
chambers assemble being all seaports, a certain number of ships is dis- patched from each. . . . But the supreme and general direction of all the affairs of the Company is vested in what is called the Assembly of Seventeen, which consists of seventeen directors deputed, eight from the chamber of Amsterdam, four from that of Middlehuryh, one from each of the others, and one alternately by each of these four last. This assembly meets three times a year, and is held for six following years at Amsterdam, and the two ensuing years at Middlehnnjh. . . . There is likewise a council of the directors, which meets from time to time at the Hafjne ; . . . being the medium through which the Company communi- cates with the States-General." (Wilcocke, o/>. cit., vol. i, pp. 89-91.)
3 ]\Iauritius had been abandoned when Stavorinus visited the Dutch colonies, but his account of the government of an out-station (Amboyna) sufficiently indicates the procedure of the law : — " The council of justice consists of the second, as president, and six members, who gene- rally assemble every fortnight, in a lower apartment of the stadhouse
1696.] OFFICIAL ARROGANCE. 193
should be held, where every one might make their Com- plaint at liberty ; but he found means to prevent that, and we were sent on board without any Bodies speaking to us, and without having any part of our Effects restor'd. This occasion'd us to present a Petition to the Officers of the Vessel, informing them of the ill Treatment we had had from our Persecutor, who yet continu'd to exercise towards us the same Tyranny and Injustice. This made him come a-board, where having seen our Petition, he call'd one of us cursed Dog,i and ask'd him why he presented such sort of
or town hall. All civil and criminal causes are decided here, but in the former an appeal can be made to the Council of Justice at Batavia. . . . Although by an express command of the supreme government, the government here may not intermeddle in any matters which come under the cognizance of the Council of Justice, further than to approve or suspend their sentences in criminal cases, yet some of them arrogate to themselves so much power in this respect that in the same manner as in the council of polity they force a conformation to their will, or bid open defiance to justice and honesty, if the members of the Council refuse to abet their iniquity." Stavoriuus then adduces an instance of rank abuse of authority remaining unnoticed and unpunished. It may be added here that Roelof Diodati does not appear to have been re- primanded even for his conduct towards Leguat and the French refugees, being subsequently promoted to Japan ; but in some respects he suffered a kind of retributive justice in Mauritius, for, before leaving that island, in 1701, a piratical ship, the Amy, was wrec kedclose by the fort, when 200 armed buccaneers got to shore, forcing the colonists to take refuge in the fort, and Diodati, in order to get rid of them, sold them the Company's packet at half-j)rice. (See Stavorinus, /. c., ii, p. 381: ; Theal, S. Africa, I c, p. 51.)
1 In orig. : " qu'il traita de maudit coquin." " An Englishman", writes Admiral Stavorinus, "would never brook the insupportable arrogance with which the Dutch East India Company's servants are treated by their superioi's, as well at Batavia as at the out-factories. It would be well if this conduct remained solely confined to the Asiatic regions, which gave birth to it : but, unfortunately, we see it continued by purse-proud individuals when they return to a country where, from the most ancient times, it is known to be in perfect contradiction to the genius and temper of the inhabitants. It is certain that this is one reason why there are so few to be met with who serve the Company with fidelity or a sense of honour. Everyone
0
194 NEW SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT. [1696.
Petitions against liim. We thinking ourselves in a manner out of his Clutches, answer'd boldly, That he might be sure that it was not to boast any ways of his kindness to us, but to acquaint^ these Gentlemen, who were at length come to our Assistance, with his barbarous usage of us, even to the last Moment, and that they might testifie this Complaint was made even at Isle Maurice. After some injurious Ex- pressions he reassum'd a ridiculing Air, and told us, if we thought our selves aggriev'd, we might seek for Justice at Batavia from the General and his Council; and we answer'd that that was our Eesolution. After Dinner^ he had us call'd again, when he told us, in the presence of the Council of the Vessel,^ that he had at first given Orders we should be receiv'd on board as Passengers, without being obliged to do any thing ; but since we had presented that fine Petition, we should work as the Soldiers did, before we eat.-* As for Monsieur cle la Case's part, added he, he must be contented to lie in Irons during the whole Voyage, and so you shall have a new subject of Complaint when you come to Batavia.
attends solely to the main business of well and speedily lining his purse, and all look to the time wlien they shall be able to withdraw themselves from the insolent dominion of an arbitrary government, against which little or nothing can be said or done." (^Op. cit., i, 146.)
1 In orig. : " en sa propre presence," omitted by translator.
2 In orig. : " L'apres midi."
3 " If a coj^eman (Jcoopmaa or factor) or under-copeman goes from port to i3ort in any ship he has the command of her, and also of the fleet, or all ships in company, by the Company's settled order in their articles. When there is a fleet together under the command of a com- mandore, the council is to consist of copemen and skippers. When a ship is single the council is to be of copoman, skipper, under-copeman,
book-keeper, and steersman All chiefs of factories have free
power to dispose of their ships and men while they are under their chiefship, and as occasion requires in the Company's service. Tiiey may take out men, ammunition, provisions, and stores, though such ships come there casually through accident or necessity." {Universal History, Modern, vol. ix, p. 132.)
■* In orig, : " & seulement pour notre nourriturc."
^^96.] ISLE MAURICE. ] 95
Before we leave Isle Maurice, I will relate to you some things that I have observ'd there, and what 1 have heard concerning it. 'Tis well known that this Island^ is situated m the 12th Degree of Southern Latitude-: It is almost round, and its Circumference is about fifty Leagues. I have read some where, that it was the Portuguses that discover'd it: They call'd it Ccnie^- but when the Hollanders made them- selves masters of it iu the 20th of September 1598, they gave It the name of Prince Maurue of Nassau, then Governor of the United Provinces.
You may Anchor in three principal Places; at the Fort, the Black Eiver, and tlie Nortli-West Haven.
The Company maintains at the Port, a Garrison of about fifty Men ; and there are tliirty or forty Dutch Families dis- pers'd throughout the Island.
After the fire had destroyed great part of the Fort, as we have already acquainted you it did, it was rebuilt with Stona-^
1 The well-known island of I\Iauritius is situated in lat. S. 20° 8',
long. E. 57° 29'. It is about thirtjr.ni„e miles long by tbirty-five miles
wide, and over one hundred miles iu circumference, whilst its area
measures about seven hundred square miles, being a little smaller than
the county of Surrey. It is at a distance of nearly five hundred miles
from the east coast of Madagascar, and ninety-five miles from the
of ty island of Reunion. (Vule supra, p. 156.) The northern part of
the island is a low plain, covered with sugar plantations. In the centre
IS an elevated plateau rising to some 1,500 ft., the rocks being almost
entirely volcanic. Around this plateau rise the principal mountain
ranges, the remains of denuded crater-cliffs and cirques of an extinct
volcano. Their peaks and summits attain heights varying from
2 In orig.: "sous le 21me degre." These continual mistakes show great carelessness on the part of the translator, as regards figures
3 Vide ante, p. 157, and Appendix.
^ * M. I'Abbe de la Caille, who surveyed the island in 1753, writes- ihis island has two very fine harbours. The least of them, which is called Fort Louis, is situate towards the middle of the western coast and there is the principal establishment of the East India Company bhips must be towed into it, but they may sail out of it with the wind right aft. ihe other harbour, which is called Grand Port, or Port Bour-
0 2
196 THE ROAD FOTl SHIPPING. [1696.
They then mounted tliere, if I well reniembcir, twenty good pieces of cast Canon.
The Soil of tliis I.sland^ is almost every where reddish, and generally good, but about the Fort it is worth little or nothing.
The Koad for Shipping, over against it, is dangerous and difficult to get out of, altho' there are two Outlets, because they necessarily require a certain Land- Wind, which comes but seldom, and profound Calms are frequent in these parts. The two other Roads are good enough.
There are in tliis Island great numbers of Ebony-Trees,^
bon, is situate towards the middle of the eastern coast of the island, and is very caj^acious and secure. Ships may enter it with a leading wind ; but the dejjarture from it is difficult, on account of the prevalence of the south-easterly winds, which blow directly into the principal of the two channels which form its openings. Here it was that the Dutch established their settlement, and built a fort, which they named Frederick Henry. Its foundations and a part of the walls remained in 1753, but they have since been entirely removed in order to erect a very handsome building for the reception of the commandant of the port and the garrison, as well as to contain the necessary magazines. (Grant, I. c, p. 377. Cf. St. Pierre, p. 54.)
1 Bernardin de St. Pierre remarks : " Everything here (in the 5le de France*) differs from what is seen in Europe, even the herbage of the country. To begin with the soil : it is almost everywhere of a reddish colour, and mixed with veins of iron, which are frequently found near the surface, in the form of grains, the size of a pea." {I. c, p. 57.)
2 "The Ehony-wood; its leaves are large, the lower side white, the upper of a dingy green. The centre only of this tree is black, the sap and the bark being white, lu a trunk from which may be cut a log six inches square there is frequently no more of real black ebony than two inches square. This wood, if worked while green, smells like human excrement, and its flowers like the July-flower ; the very reverse of the cinnamon, whose flowers are stinking, and the wood and
* Leguat does i\ot seem to have recognised the volcanic character of the rocks at Mauritius. On the road to Flacq, Leguat and his com- rades would have passed from North-West Port by Terre Rouge river under Montague Longue; and the red dust on the track to Pauiple- mousses doubtless attracted their attention.
1696.] EBONY AND OTHEll TREES. 197
white and black : The black is hardest. The Soldiers who are employ'd to saw this Wood, will saw twenty foot of White^ before they can twelve of Black, and which is their ordinary Task for a day.
Here are Oranges^ both sweet and sour,^ and great plenty of Citrons of the same kind. Also divers of Trees fit for Shipping.* A good quarter of a League from the Fort, there is a Grove of Limon-Trees,^ round which, as well as in
bulk of a pleasant smell. The ebony bears a fruit like a uierllar, full of viscous juice, tliat is sweet and ploasant-tasted. There is another sort of Ebony here, veined with black." (Bernardin de St. Pierre, /. c, p. 63.) Ebony- trees. To the Ebenaceoi belong Plaqueminkr mellanide or Ebeue hlanc (Diospi/ros mdankla) ; Ebhm noir (D. tessillav'ia.) {Prid- ham, p. 368.)
^ In orig. : " rouge."
2 Oranges. Citrus anrantium, C. Biijaradie, C. Ber(]amia, C. dcvumana. Lemons and Citrons. Citrus acida, C. Limonum, C. medica, C. Limetla. Malagasy Orange, Citrus Vangassuye.
"The Citron-tree bears fruit in cool and damp places only, the citrons are small but full of juice.
" The Orange-tree also thrives in a soil of this kind ; its fruit is larger, and sharp-tasied. ]\Iany of them grow in the neighbourhood of the Great Port (South-East Port) ; yet I doubt if these two species are natural to the island. The sweet orange is very rare, even iu gardens. Orange-trees are of many sorts ; among them is one yield- ing an orange called a Mandarin ; a large kind of Pamplemousse, of a red colour and but middling taste ; a citron that bears a very large fruit, but with little juice in it (the shaddock of the W. Indies)." (Bernardin de St. Pieri-e, op. cif., p. 63.)
3 In orig. : " aussi doux & aigres." * Iu orig. : " pour la charpente."
^ In van Braam's map is shown dc Groete Linioen Booms liivirr, possibly the strQam which flows into Bestel's Cove, indicating the Grove of Oranges and Lemons mentioned by Leguat. ''There are also a great many sweet and sour lemon (^citrocn-hoomen) and orange trees, planted in 1606 by Heer Mattlief\a,n Keernan, who brought them from the island of Annabon. And close by the Fort one overlooks a great wood, and near it a large plantation of tobacco and sugar-cane. There are here very fine pine-apples, pisang (plantain?), and other Indian fruits. The Calappus {Jilao or casuarina) and other trees grow well here. By the end of our occupancy there was also a Company's garden with all sorts of European {Vadcrkuidzc) fruits; but rice docs not thrive w'cll here"
198 MAURITIAN FRUITS. [1696.
many other places of this Island, they plant Tobacco/ which is excessive strong: They plant likewise great numbers of Sugar-Canes.2 The Spirit they draw from them, and which is here call'd Araque, is strong and nnwliolsom while it is new. I would say nothing of tlie Ananas, the Banancs, beautiful and excellent Fruit, which they have here in great abundance, because all Eolations speak of them, were it not that there are divers sorts of them. The Ananan^ of Isle Maurice comes out of the Ground like an Artichoke, and multiplies like it : Its Seed is in the Tuft that crowns the Fruit. This Plant bears but one of these Fruit, which is commonly about the bigness of a niidling Melon, shap'd pretty much like a Piue-Apjile,* and dazling the Eye on all sides with lively and beautiful Colours. It has a sort of Crown a top consisting of small Leaves, and one can never be tir'd with looking on it, no more than with admiring its sweet and exquisite Sapour; but as it is extreamly cold, it must be eaten with great Moderation. Its large and thick Leaf is arm'd on the sides with prickles, and resembles
(Valentyn, I. c, p. 152). It is suggested that Valentyn may have seen Leguat and derived some information from him -personally, as he had not visited Mauritius.
1 " The tobacco is not good. None is planted but by the negroes for their own use." (St. Pierre, /. r., p. 112. Vide ante, p. 147.)
'^ "The sugar-cane ripens here in perfection; the inhabitants make an indifferent sort of liquor, which they c&W flangourin. There is but one sugar-house in the whole island." (Bernardin de St. Pierre, I. c, p. 120.) This one sugar-house is mentioned by liaron Grant in 1753. He says : "MM. Vigoureux of St. Malo have established an handsome sugar- work ; but it is so ill-conducted, that the sugar has the appearance of Norman honey : it costs two sous the pound, and is quite disgusting ; but Ave entertain the hope that the manufacture will improve. This sugar is employed to cover houses in the Italian manner, and, being incorporated with chalk, forms a kind of mastic ; and being spread on fine planks, becomes hard as pavement. The Indians alone know how to malie this composition." {Op. cit., p. .'37U.)
^ Ananas, or pineapple, Brumelia ana)tu,-<.
■• In orig. : "pomme de pin," i. e., a pine or lir cone.
1696.] divp:ks natural piioductioxs. 199
somewhat that of Aloes.^ The description we have of the Ananas of Brasile, differs something from this. They have little Leaves that come out on all sides between the grains of the Fruit.
The Banane Plant^ is large and fine, it rises about ten or twelve foot out of the Ground, and has very large Leaves of an Oval Figure. It bears a Fruit as long as one's Hand, and of the bigness of the list of a Cliild of four years old. It is outwardly yellow when 'tis ripe, white within, a little clammy like the inside of an Apricock, and of a delicate and excellent Flavour.
There are also to be found in this Island, Coco's,^
1 In orig. : " de I'Aloe," presumably the aKoy] of Dioscorides and Pliny ; the bitter aloe of Africa. Leguat's editor bases his description of this fruit ou the fuller details given by M. de Rochefort in his History of the Antilles ( /. c, p. 248), of the Broinelia fastmsa, whose leaf is likened by that writer to the 'Mfoes", meaning perhaps the agave of America.
• The Banana or Plantain, Mum paradisiaca, var.
" The Banana-tree grows everywhere. It has no wood or stock, being only a tuft of flowers, which springs up in columns, and blows at the top in large and long leaves, of a beautiful satiuny green. At the end of a year there issues from the summit a long stem, all hung with fruit, in the form of a cucumber ; two of these stems are a load for a black ; the fruit, which is mealy, is also very pleasant and nutritive. The blacks are very fond of it, and it is given to them on the 1st of January as a New- Year's gift ; they count their years of sorrow by the number of banana-feasts they have regaled at. Linen cloth might be made from the thread of the banana-tree. The shape of the leaves like belts of silk, the length of its stem, the upjier part of which hangs down from the height of a man, and whose violet colour at the end gives it the look of a serpent's head, may have occasioned its being called by the name of Adam's fig-tree. This fruit lasts all the year ; there are many sorts of it, from the size of a plum to the length of a man's arm." (Bernardin de St. Pierre, op. cit., p. 123.)
3 Cocos nucifera. " The Coco-tree is planted here; 'tis a kind of palm, which thrives in the sand ; this is one of the most useful trees in the Indian trade, though it affords nothing else than a bad sort of oil and cables as bad in their kind. It is reckoned at Pondicherry that each coco- tree is worth a pistole a year. Travellers speak much in praise of its
200 PALMS AND FRUIT TUBES. [1696.
Palm-Trees,* Plantaue-Trees,^ and divers sorts of Fruit- Trees.^
fruit ; but our flax will ever be preferred to its cotton for making clotb, our wines to its liquor, and our filberds to its nut.'' (Bernardin de St. Pierre, 0/). c?V., p. 125.)
' Dictyosperma alha, Acaiithophanix rubra, ILjopJwrhe indlca, Acan- thophcenix criuita. Hijophorhe amaricaulis, is indigenous on Round Island. {Baker and Balfour.)
"There are still some other trees, which, though curious, are of little or no use, as the Date, which seldom bears fruit ; the Palm, which is called here the Araque (Areca) ; and that which produces sago. The Vacoa is a kind of small palm-tree, whose leaves grow spirally round the trunk •, they make mats and bags of them. [This is the paiulanus, not a palm.] The Palm-tree rises in the forest above all the other trees ; it bears at the heart a cluster of palms, whence there issues a shoot, which is all this tree affords fit to be eaten ; and to get at this the tree must be cut down. This shoot, which they call the cabbage, is formed of young leaves rolled one over the other, very tender, and of a very pleasant taste." {St. Pierre., p. 63.)
2 Latama Commersonii, L. Loddigesii. "The Latanier is a large kind of palm-tree : it bears at the top one leaf only, in the shape of a fan, with which they cover their houses. {Ibid.., p. 63.)
3 "Fruit-trees." Between 1750 and 1770, M. Poivre introduced into the Isle of France the spice-trees of the Malaysian Archipelago and many exotic and economical fruits and plants, some of which, by the tune Bernardin St. Pierre visited the island, had become thoroughly naturalised and established. The latter says : " I have seen here cherry, apricot, medlar, apple, pear, olive, and mulberry-trees ; but without fruit, though some of them had flowers. The fig-tree pro- duces a tolerable fruit. The vine does not succeed upon props, but, when in arbours, bears grapes, which, like those in the gardens of Alcinous, ripen one part after another ; a good vintage, therefore, can- not be expected. The peach-tree gives fruit enough, and well-tasted ; but they are never luscious. There is a white louse which destroys them. . , ." " The fruit-trees are the Attier, whose triangular flower, of a solid substance, tastes like the pistacliio ; its fruit is like a pineapple ; when it is ripe, it is full of a white and sweetish cream, which smells like the orange-flower ; it is full of black kernels. (This is the custard-apple.) The Alte is very pleasant, but, being very heating, soon cloys and gives a pain in the stomach to those who eat it {Aiiona squamosa).
" The Mamjo is a very beautiful tree. It is covered with superb
1696.] THE STKONT-BOOM. 201
There is a sort of Shrub call'd Sironi-hoom'^ or T-Tree, which is extreainly Venomous. The middle of its Trunk is
girandolesof flowers like the Indian chestnut. To these succeed a great number of fruits, shaped Hke a large flat plum, covered with a rind, which smells like turpentine. This fruit has a vinous and agreeable taste ; and, but for its smell, might vie with the best fruits of Europe. It is never prejudicial to those who eat it, and [ should think a whole- some and pleasant drink might be made from it. This tree has one inconvenience attending it, being covered with fruit at the time of the hurricanes, which strip it of the greater part."
M. St. Pierre also mentions the Guava {Psid'mm sp.), of which there are three species in the island — the Jamrosa (which includes three species of Jambosa ; the Papaye (Cai-ica Papaya) ; the Badamier {Terminalia Cutappa) ; the Avoca, or alligator-pear (Persea grad'ssiina) ; the Jack (Artocarjius intcgrefuUa) ; the Tamarind ; the Cashew-nut {Ana- cardium sp.) ; the Cinnamon ; and one Cacao {Theohroma cacao).
The Ravinsara (Afjathophylhun aromaticum) was introduced by M. Poivre, as were also the Mangosteen and the Litchi, the clove, nut- meg, and other valuable spice-trees.
^ The Stronlhooin of Leguat, or Ilapofi of St. Pierre, is somewhat difficult to identify. Earon Grant (p. 37) writes : " A large and very uncommon tree is found among the rocks, whose substance is as soft as the flesh of a turnip. It is called Mapou, or stinking Avood, from its offensive odour, and is considered unwholesome. M. Bernardin de St. Pierre, writing from The Port, October 8th, 17G8, states: "Some days ago I perceived a large tree in the middle of some rocks, and, being desirous of cutting a piece with my knife, was surprised at the whole blade entering without my using the least force. It was of a substance like a turnip, and of a very disagreeable taste ; for some hours after (although 1 did not swallow any part of it) my throat was much inflamed, and felt as if pricked by pins. This tree is called Mapou, and is looked upon as poisonous." Mr. Baker says : "^fapou, in Mauritius, is Vitis Mappia, a harmless vine. Buis majMni, more than one species of Pisonia, also harmless; purgative, perhaps, but not actively poisonous." He adds : *' I should think the poisonous tree would most likely be a StiWugia {Euphorhiacex), or something
of that kind " " There is a Slillincjia Fanguiiia in INIauiitius, which
I infer, from the name, is poisonous. That sort of plants have an acrid milky juice, and the Seychelles ally is superstitiously dreaded by the native, called Bois Jasmin. The Mapou of the I'laine dcs Caffres, in Bourbon, is stated by Maillard to be Monimia roluiuUfolia. Monimia rotiindifolia of Mauritius, in the herbarium at Kcav, is labelled, says
202 SPEEDY AND DEADLY POYSON. [1696.
larger tliaii either its bottom or top. Its Wood is flabby, and its Leaves M-ould nearly resemble those of our Willows, were it not that they are a little larger. I have neither observM Flowers nor Fruit upon it : Both the Wood and the Eind are a speedy and deadly Poyson, and which as I have heard, admits of no Antidote. One day as I was coming thro' a Wood in my return from Hunting, I chanc'd to break off a little Branch of it, and without making any Eeflection, or having heard of this Tree, I put a little bit of it in my Mouth. I threw it away that instant without swallowing my Spittle, and yet I thought I should have died of it. For twenty-four hours together, it seem'd to me as if some body was throtling me, and my Throat was so swell'd, I could liardl}'- breath. In Countries where one is an absolute Stranger, one ought to take particular care of these sort of things. I was told the only way to distinguish the venomous Fruits in these Islands, from such as were not so, was to offer them to some Ape of the Island,^ who if they were naught, would undoubtedly refuse them. In the
Mr. Soott Elliott, BoU de Tui-Ie." Professor Balfour writes, with regard to Monimia : " It may be worth noting what may, however, be merely a coincidence — the allied genus Tamhourina has a species, Bois tambour (there is the translator's T. tree?) — and some species of Tamhourina have been called Milhridatea — and this genus was founded by Commerson, the father of so many Mascarene genera, and taken up by Schreber. I do not find any poisonous qualities now attributed to the Monimiacese ; but if the tree had not some reputation in connec- tion Avith poisoning — antidotal or itself venomous — why should Com- merson give it such a name? At least it should be a medicine-yielding
tree Unless some evidence from the nomenclature takes one to
Stillinrjia, 1 should prefer to trust to the clue which such evidence affords and seek for the plant either among the Vitis or the Mommiacex. .... I cannot conjecture what it (the Stronthoom) might be. It would be strange if the name of so conspicuous a tree as the Mapou must have been in Leguat's time was transferred to another tree without its properties, even if the original Mapou were exterminateil."
1 In orig. : " parce qu'on pent a (toup sur manger de ce qu'il mange, comme on doit aussi laisser ce qui! pcr.siste a refuser."
1696.] DANGEROUS LABYRINTH. 203
middle of the Country in a great Plain^ environ'd with Mountains, there is a Wood that is very dangerous to go into. The Branches of the Trees are so thick at top, and so interlac'd with one another, that it is altogether impossible to see the Sun, by which means one wanders one knows not whither, and oftentimes one is lost as it were in a Labyrinth, which Misfortune is so much the greater, in that one meets with nothing to eat.
1 "Plain and Forest." The Abbe de la Caille states that in 1753, ■when he surveyed the island : " The Isle of France is almost entirely covered with woods, which are of a handsome appearance, particu- larly on the south-east side ; but a passage through is rendered very difficult and troublesome, from the quantity of fern and creeping plants. These plants, wliose branches, like those of our ivy, wind about and interlace themselves with the shrubs and dead wood, render the forests in a great measure impassable. Nor can a passage be obtained in any part of them but by circuitous ways, which are known to few. These forests are the refuge of the Maroon negroes." He has marked '■' Fori't tres Epatt:se", N.VV. of the Montague des Creoles, in the INluuicipality of Grand Port, in his map.
INIr. Pike says : " The ascent on the Grand Port side is so rugged and steep, that it is called I'Escalier, and between it and the Riviere Tabac stands a fair-sized village. Beyond this lies a tract of countrj', in former times a dense forest, containing such fine timber-trees that it obtained the name of Gros Bois. From the destruction of these trees, even so early as the time of occupation by the Dutch, doubtless many species, once abundant, are now rare, if not wholly extinct. The reckless way the trees were cut down by the crews of every vessel that touched here must have made great changes in the forests. During the present century the same want of system has prevented the growth to full size of the best timber. In the Gros Bois are still fine specimens of Calophyllum ^hwi they are rare. The Tatamaka, Elseodendron, Colo- phon, and two species of ebony yet abound, and a host of others." {Op. cit., p. 320.) " The East India Company set apart, for their forges at Moudesir, an extent of wood of ten thousand acres called the Reserves ; they then imagined that, by making regular falls of timber in these lofty woods, they would shoot forth again the following year, and that the young trees, being left untouched, would replace the larger ones. But it was found that the woods, once cut down, did not grow again ; and, in the year 1770, the people at Mondesir were obliged to go a league and a half to fetch charcoal.'- (Le Gen til, I. c, ii, p. 6!S0.)
204 GREGAEIOUS MONKEYS. [1696.
The Governor of Isle Maurice^ before this last, happen'd one day to enter this Wood, and plung'd himself so deep into it before he was aware, that he knew not how to get out. Both he and his followers had soon made an end of their Provisions, and they were just ready to starve, when by good fortune they chanc'd to find a way out, after they had vainly sought one for four days.
The other Woods of this Island are easie enough to traverse. There are some very pleasant, and where you find Apes^ of divers kinds. These mischievous Beasts do a great deal of damage to the Inhabitants, inasmuch as they take delight in plucking up whatever is sown.
This island in general is very Mountainous, and full of Woods, as most Countries are that are slenderly Inhabited. It is water'd by divers rapid Itivers,^ on some of which the
1 M. La Mocius, predecessor to M. Rodolphe Diodati, vide ante, p. 151.
2 Monkeys were introduced by the Portuguese into the island, according to the Abbe de la Caille. There are two species, both of a middling size, the largest of which has thick hair of a reddish -grey colour, with a long tail ; they are both gregarious. These aninuils frequently venture in droves, sometimes of sixty or seventy, to plunder the houses of the inhabitants. (Pridham, I. c, p. 226 ; cf. Grant^ p. 65.)
M. Bernardiu de St. Pierre has recorded: "The monkey of the Isle of France is of a middling size. It is of a reddish-grey cast, and has a long tail. This animal is fond of society. I have seen them in troops of sixty at a time. They frequently come in droves and pillage the houses. Scouts are placed on the tops of trees and the points of the rocks, who, as soon as they see any dogs or hunters approach, cry out, to alarm the others, who immediately decamp. They will climb up the steejDest mountain, and rest uj^on the slightest edge of a preci- pice, where no other quadruped (?) of its size dare venture." {Op.cit.,-p. 67.)
3 " The island", writes Bernardin de St. Pierre, " is watered by about sixty rivulets, some of which have no water in the dry season, especially since so much ti-mber has been cut down. The interior part of the island is full of ponds, and in this part it rains nearly all the year round, the clouds being stopped by the mountains and the woods at the top of them." M. de St. Pierre also notices a cotton-mill, Avorked by water, constructed by M. de Seligny at Grande Riviere ; and he also remarks a large mill, nearly fallen to ruins, at Grand Port. (/. c, p. 56.)
1696.] FRESH- WATER FISH. 205
InhaLitants have built Mills to saw Boards. These Elvers have Fish enough.^
On each side of these Elvers you frequently meet with little Valleys, whose Soil is admirably good. There are great tracts of Ground level enough, especially tliat formerly mention'd call'd Flac- or Fiat-Ground: 'tis on this Spot, the
1 " The fresh-water fish are better than ours ; and appear to be of the same kind as those which are taken in the sea. Among these the best are the lubin, the mullet, and the carp ; the cabot, that lives in the torrents formed by rocks, to which it adheres by means of a con- cave membrane ; and very large and delicate shrimps. The eel is a kind of conger ; there are some from seven to eight feet in length, and of the thickness of a man's leg ; they retire into the holes of the rivers, and sometimes devour those who are so imprudent as to bathe there." (Baron Grant, /. c, p. 59.)
" Foreign fish have been even brought to this place. The Gonrami comes from Batavia. It is a fresh -water fish, and is esteemed to be the best in the Indies. It is like the salmon, but more dehcate. Here are also the gold-fish from China, which lose their beauty as they increase in size. These two species multiply in the pools." {Ibid., p. 69.) The Gourami or Gouramier is the Osphromcints ol/'ax.
2 " This part, which is called la Flarq, is the best cultivated in the island ; rice grows in great plenty. There is a creek in the rocks, by wliich barges can come and load with the greatest convenience." (Ber- nardin de St. Pierre, op. eit., p. 170.) Vide supra, p. 149.
M. de Gentil, who wrote in 1779, states : " The District of Flacq, which is a quarry of rocks, produces the finest maize. Such a soil is not favourable to corn ; the inhabitants, therefore, clear away the smallest stones, and plant maize in the places which they occupied, where it is found to luxuriate and grow to the height of from eight to ten feet; and, unpromising as the soil is, the settlers look for two, and sometimes three, harvests in the course of the year. A certain portion of it they pour into the public magazines ; with the rest they nourish their slaves, barter for corn, and feed their hogs and poultry, with which they traffic. They have every convenience that is to be derived from water, as Flacq is a kind of archipelago, on account of the various branches of water that intersect it. This quarter also possesses, in the low grounds towards the sea, some parcels of ground which are proper for the cultivation of rice ; and it was that part of the island Avhich supplied the Company's magazine with such a necessary article." "At Flacq the corn generally produces twenty fold, and sometimes thirty in fresh ground ; but no more than ten in that which has been in a long and successive state of tillage. (Vide Voyage dans Ics Mers df ITiidr, vol. ii, pp. G69, 672.)
206 THE company's garden. [1696.
greatest part of the Colony inhabit. I don't know whether I have already told 3^011, that the Company has a Garden here furuish'd with all our Plants of Europe, especially such as could he cultivated with Success in this foreign Climate. Wheat will not thrive there, nor any other sort of Corn.
The Vine grows well enough, and I have seen good Arbours ; but the Grapes don't ripen well, which it may be, may proceed partly from the Ignorance or Laziness of those that cultivate them, or rather that do not cultivate them at all.
It is from this Garden the Co7npany has its Potatoes, Fruits, and other tilings with which it feeds^ its Garrison, the i\^c^?'oc-Slaves, and all others that depend on it. A Boat goes every Week twice or thrice to the great Ptiver,^ whence it brings all that has been brought thither from Flac on Waggons, for the use of the Fort. This is inconvenient and of great expence, it being above eight Leagues thither from Flac, which way is partly by Water, and partly by Land. The Earth about the Fort is extreamly barren, and the Water is by no means good, being impregnated with Salt-Petre. There is a corner in the Island call'd the Burnt Country^
1 "Whatever is bought for the king, is sold to him at one-third less than its real worth — the corn of the inhabitants, all buildings erected for him, stores, and expeditions of every sort." {B. de St. Pierre, p. 175.)
2 Grande Riviere Sud-Est, as distinguished from la Grande Riviere, near Port Louis. At the mouth of this river is a convenient port for small vessels, protected by a battery and military station, opposite the northern entrance to Grand Port (see map, supra, p. 160), and some eight miles south of Flacq. This was de Groote Rivier of the Dutch, represented by van Braam as joined by de Kalties Rivier, and falling into Both's Bay. It is one of the largest rivers in the island, rising by the Piton du Milieu, and draining the northern slopes of the Bambou Mountains. It is joined by the Riviere Profonde, which drains the southern flanks of the Blanche Mountains, both streams traversing the district called Trois Islols. Below the junction of their waters their channel is obstructed by a dyke of basalt, by which a fine cascade is formed.
3 The "Burnt Country", near Grand Bassin, now called " Le Bois
l6g6.'] IDLE AXD LAZY COLONISTS. 207
because the Trees that were formerly there were burnt, but there have several come up since in tlieir stead, although the Soil be Piocky.
Totatoes^ thrive here wonderfully everywhere, and are tlie ordinary food of the Inhabitants. These sort of Topi- nambous^ serve them for Bread, in like manner as to the common I'eople of Ireland. When tliey have a mind to have any Eice, they buy it of the Company. It is not but that Grain will grow here,^ the Water and Earth being proper for it in divers Places, but these People are too Idle and Lazy to cultivate it, this sort of Grain requiring a more than ordinary Care : The common Meat here is Venison.*
Sec'\ is a curious district, dreary in tlie extreme, where thousands of dried-up skeletons of trees, blanched to a ghastly whiteness, meet the eye on every side, contrasting with the neighbouring evergreen woods. It is the portion of a forest which has, apparently, been blighted by the poisonous exhalations from some volcanic fissure, in connection, possibly, with the adjacent extinct crater-lake, Grand Bassin, now filled with water. (See Pike, I. c, p. 318.) The district within the active sphere of the volcano in Keunion is still named Le pays brule.
1 Palates, wrongly translated potatoes, are the various species of so- called sweet potato {Convolindus Batatas), of which a number of excel- lent varieties are grown in the island. The American potatoes, ;K-jy»«ei- deterre {Solanum tuberosum), grow almost wild on the heights of the Keunion Mountains, and are exported thence to Mauritius.
2 Topiuambours are Jerusalem artichokes ^Iklianthus tuberosus).
^ '• Rice, the best and perhaps the most wholesome of all aliments, thrives very much. It keeps longer than wheat, and yields more plentifully. A wet soil agrees with it best. There are above seven different species of it in Asia, one of which grows best in a dry soil ; it were to be wished that this grain were cultivated in Europe, on accouutof its extraordinary fertility." (B. de «t. Pierre, op. cit., p. 112.)
* " There are in the woods wild goats, wild hogs, and especially stags, which had multiplied to such a degree, that whole squadrons were supplied Avith venison for provisions. Their flesh is very guod, especially during the months of April, May, June, July, and August.'' {JbuL, p. 13-1.)
''Between the two mouths of the Black Pdver, a stag pursued by hounds and hunters came straight towards me. The poor beast wept and panted ; as I could not save it, and was unwilling to kill it, 1 fired one of my charges in the air. lie then took to the water, and
208 DEER, HOGS, AND CATTLE. [1696.
The Deer are so fat, that after having ran a quarter of a League they drop down, and suhmit themselves to the mercy of the Dogs : Here are likewise great numbers of Goats ; they are very fat, and their Flesh has no ill Tast. They are much eaten while the Deer are in their Paitting- time, because the Venison has a stinking and insupportable Tast : Here are Hogs of the China kind.^ Altho' these are not near so good as our wild Boars, yet they are much eaten for all that : These Beasts do a great deal of Damage to the Inhabitants, by devouring all the young Animals they can catch.
The Bulls and Cows of the better kind have been brought hither from Madagascar^ and they have multiplyM exceed- ingly ; they have a bunch upon their backs. The Cows afford but very little milk. One Holland one yields six times as much, neither is their Beef near so good as ours. There are wild Cows that are originally of this Island, or at least
was overtaken and killed by the dogs." (*S/. Pkrre^ p. 151.) The editor of the present version has witnessed a similar scene, when a fine stag swam halfway across the bay at Black River ; but it was pursued by some gunners, who captured it, and cut its throat. The deer still exist in considerable numbers, being carefully preserved ; they are of the species from India known as the Sambur.
1 " The CocJion marron of Mauritius has evidently descended from animals introduced by the first Portuguese voyagers. Whether they are from a Chinese stock, as Leguat avers, it would be impossible now to determine. The boars grow to a considerable size, have fine tusks, and their shoulder-plates are of wonderful toughness ; in all respects they rival the wild boar of Europe. They occasionally attain to a weight of four hundred pounds, with tusks nine inches in length." {Vide Pike, I. c, p. 219.)
~ "Among those animals which we may call the domestic quadru- peds, are sheep, that fatten and lose their wool, goats that thrive prodigiously, and oxen of the Madagascar breed, that have a great hump on their neck ; the cows of this breed give but very little milk ; those from Europe give much more, but their calves degenerate. I saw once two cows and two bulls from Bengal which were no bigger than an ass. This breed did not succeed." (B. de St. Pierre, op. cit., p. 134.)
'T^'ftt.Jl. 2^. 7^.
1696.] WILD HORSES. 209
were found there by those that first discover'd it, but they must of necessity have been brought thither one time or other. Here are also many wild Horses/ which are some- times kill'd to feed Dogs with. These two sorts of Animals, I mean Dogs and Horses, are subject to the Falling-Sickness,^ and several of them die of it, especially when they are young.
This Island formerly abounded with wild Geese^ and Ducks, Moor-Hens, Water- Quails, Sea and Land Tortoises, but now all these are become scarce. The Sharks also, and divers other Sea- Animals'* have forsook it, since the Natives have been accustomed to lay Nets for them. You shall see
1 " Horses are very dear, and by no means fine ones. A common horse cannot be bought for less than a hundred pistoles. They fall to decay very soon at the Port, from the excessive heat. They are never shod, although the island is so rocky. Mules are rarely seen. The asses are small, but few in number." {B. cle St. Pierre^ p. 135.)
2 In orig. : " au haut mal," i.e., the staggers.
3 Writing in 1769, Bernardin de St. Pierre remarks : " There is great plenty of every-thiug at Black River, of game, venison, and both fresh-water and sea fish. While we were at dinner one day, a servant came to tell us that some Jamcutins were seen in the bay ; we ran down immediately ; they cast nets across the entrance, and, when drawn ashore, we found a great quantity of sword-fish, of skates, two sea-turtles, and other kinds of fish ; but the lamentins had escaped" (/. c.,p. 141).
Bernardin de St. Pierre visited this port in 1769, at which time he writes : " The South-East Port was formerly inhabited by the Dutch, one of whose ancient buildings is now used as a chapel. There are two ways to enter the Port, one at Point Diable, for small vessels ; the other, which is much wider, is by the side of an island {lie de la Passe) towards the middle. At each of these places is a battery, and at the bottom of the bay is a third, called the Queen's battery" (l. r., p. 166 ; vide ante, p. 196, to which page this note belongs.)
* " Whales frequently come into the South-Ea.st Port, where it would be very easy and safe to harpoon them. Fish is very plentiful upon this coast, especially' shell-fish of the most beautiful kinds. Whales are often seen to the windward of this island about September, the time of their coupling. I have seen many this season, that kept them- selves upright in the water, and came very near the coast. They are smaller than the northern ones. There is no whale fishery, but the
F
210 BITTERNS AND GIANTS, [1696.
great flights of Bitterns,^ and many of those Birds call'd (liants,- because they are six foot high. They are extreamly high mounted, and have very long necks : Their Bodies are not bigger than that of a Goose. They are all white, except a little place under their Wings, which is reddish. They have a Goose's Bill, but a little sharper ; their Claws are very long, and divided. They feed in Marshy Places, and the Dugs frequently surprize them, because they require a considerable time to get upon the Wing : We saw one one day at Rodrigo, and we took liim with our Hands, he was so fat. That was the only one we observ'd there, which made me inclinable to believe he had been carry'd thither by some Wind he could not resist. This Game is good enough.
There are also a kind of small Birds^ pretty much like our Sparrows, except that their throats are red. Parrots* of
negroes are not unacquainted with the method of harj3ooning them. Sea-cows are sometimes caught here ; I have eaten of them ; their flesh is like beef ; I never saw any of this fish.'' {Voijage to the Isle of France, I. c, p. 75.)
1 " Bitterus." Probably the night-herons, now extinct, before men- tioned, at Rodriguez. At Reunion ancient voyagers speak of large blue birds, which frequented the pJaine des Co/res, which are supposed to have been the Madagascan '■'■ j)oule sidtane" [porphyrio Madagan- carieims); vide ante^ p. 45. See Appendix.
2 "There are there a great many birds, such as bitterns {puttooren) ; also a bird called the giant, because its head stands quite five to six feet high, besides they are very long in the legs and neck, but as to the body not larger than a goose. Perhaps this is the iculg-vocjel about which we read in the second voyage of Jacob van Neck:' (Valentyn, op. cit., p. 152 ; vide ante, p. 44, and Appendix.)
3 "There is a beautiful titmouse here with a number of white specks on the wings, and the Cardinal {Foudia Madagascariensis), whose head, neck and belly, at a particular season, are of a lively red ; the rest of its plumage is of a pearl -coloured grey. Ihis bird comes from Bengal." (B. de St. Pierre, p. 133). Rice-birds or " calfats" {Mnnia oryzivora).
4 Parrots {Lophopsittacus, and Foliopsitta cana) and parroquets {Cora- copsis vuza ?). " I have seen many sorts of Parrots, but none very hand- some. There is a species of green parroquet with a grey head. They
1696.] BIRDS AND BATS. 211
all sorts are likewise to be found here in great abun- dance. Here moreover are Pigeons^ and Blackbirds,^ but few of them. Bats,^ whicli are much valued in tliis Coun- try, are here in great Numbers, as are likewise Lizards.*
are as large as sparrows. It is impossible to tame them. These also are enemies to the harvest, but they are very good to eat." {Unci., p. 69.)
1 " There is a pigeon called the Dutch-pigeon, of a most magnificent plumage ; and another sort, Avhich, although of a very pleasant taste, are so dangerous, that those who eat theui are thrown into convul- sions." {St. Pierre, p. G9.)
2 " Blackbirds." "A bird that has multiplied very fast in the island is the Martin {Acriduthercs tristix)^ a species of the Indian sansonnet, or Flukin (? starling), with a yellow beak and claws. It differs but little from ours except in plumage, which is less spotted. In chirping, how- ever, as well as in an aptitude to talk, and to mimic other birds, it perfectly resembles the European species. It will perch upon and peck at beasts without fear, but the prey which it pursues with an un- wearied perseverance is the grasshopper [Grijlhis Cajycusis)., numbers of which species are destroyed by it. The martins always fly about in pairs, and assemble constantly at sunset in flocks of some thousands. After a general chattering, the whole republic falls asleep, and at daybreak again disperses in pairs to the different quarters of the island. This bird is not fit to eat ; yet they are sometimes shot, though shooting them is prohibited." {B. de St. Pierre, p. 132.) " In the woods are found black-birds, which, Avhen called to by a sportsman, will come to the muzzle of his gun. This is a kind of game much in request'' {Coq de hois?). {St. Pierre, p. C9.) "The Isle of France was formerly exposed to the ravages of locusts. None of these noxious insects, however, have been seen sinc-^ 1770. It is pretended that the Martins, a kind of bird brought here from India, and which have multiplied in a very extraordinary manner, have destroyed them. It is certain that these birds feed upon them with avidity, when they are just produced, and before they have wings." (Observations by M. de Cossigny, Governor of the Isle de France in 1791. See Grant, p. 518.)
3 " Bats." " Two sorts of bats are found here ; one like ours, the other as big as a small cat, very fat ; and is eaten by the inhabitants as a rarity." {St. Pierre, p. 69.)
* "Lizards." "The apartments are at certain seasons filled with moths or small butterflies, that come and singe themselves in the candle. They are so numerous that the caudles are frequently obliged to be put into cylinders of glass. They draw into the houses a very handsome small lizard, about a finger's length. Its eyes are lively ; it
1' 2
212 RATS AND MICF. [1696.
Rats^ and Mice swarm here, and do a great deal of damage to tlie Company and Inlialtitants, l»y gnawing their Sugar- Canes, and devouring their Pulse. If they would make use of the same means we did at Rodrigo, they might get rid of tlie greatest part of them ; yet some few Regiments of Cats would make the shortest work with them, and soon exter- iriinate those misehievous Vermin.
Small and green Caterpillars- reign here for three or four Months in the year, and eat up almost every thing.
climbs along the walls, and even along the glass; lives upon flies and other insects, and watches with great patience for an op])ortiinity of catching them. It lays eggs that are small and round like peas, having a wliite and yellow shell, as the eggs of pullets. I have seen some of these lizards so tame that they would come and take sugar out of a person's hand. Far from being mischievous, they are, on the contrary, very useful. Some very beautiful ones are to be seen in the w^oods, of an azure and changeable green, marked with crimson on the back, like Arabic characters." [D. de St. Pierre, p. 73.)
1 " The rat seems a native of this island. There are prodigious num- bers of them, and it is said that the place was abandoned by the Dutch because of this creature. In some houses they are so numerous that 30,000 are killed in a year. They make large hoards under ground, both of corn and fruits, and climb up to the tops of trees to eat the young birds. They will pierce the very thickest rafters. One may see them at sunset, running about in all parts, and in one night they will destroy an entire crop. I have seen a field of maize in which they have not left one single ear. They are exactly like the rats of Europe, and have, very possibly, come from thence in ships. Mice are very common here ; the havoc they make is incredible." (St. Piei're, op. cit., pp. G7-8.)
" The breed of cats degenerate greatly on this island ; they grow lean and thin-flanked. The rats scarcely fear them ; the dogs are, therefore, the rat-catchers, and my Favourite has often distinguished himself in this service. I have seen him strangle the largest rat in the Southern hemisphere. The dogs, in the long run, lose their hair and their sense of smelling, but it is said they never go mad here''. (7i. dc St. Pierre., p. 135.)
^ " In the trunks of the trees there is found a large worm, with paws, that picks the trees ; they call it Montac. The blacks, and even the white people, eat them greedily." {If>id., I. c, -p. 72.) "The centi- pedes are frequently found in damp places. This insect seems destined to drive mankind from the unwholesome air they breed
1696.] SEA AND LAND CUABS. 213
Sea and Land Crabsi are liere also to be found, but in small numbers.
in. Its sting is very painful. My dog was bit by one of them, which was more than six inches long ; the wound turned to a kind of ulcer, and was three weeks in healing." (Ibid., I. c, p. 70.)
^ " There are lobsters or cray-fish of a prodigious size, their claws arc net large ; they are blue-marbled with black. I have seen here a species of lobster that is smaller and of a beautiful form ; it was of a sky-blue ; it had two little claws, divided into two articulations, like a knife with the blade shutting into the handle."
" There is a great variety of crabs. The following seemed to be most worthy of notice. A sort that is rugged, with tubercules and points like a madrepore {Parthenope spinoslssima) ; another that has upon its back the impression of five seals ; another with something in the shape of a horse-shoe at the end of its claws ; a sort covered with hair, that has no claws, and that adheres to the sides of ships ; a crab marbled with grey, the shell of which, though smooth and polished, is very uneven. JMany irregular and strange figures are observable among these, which are, notwithstanding, perfectly alike upon each crab ; that with its eyes at the end of two long tubes like telescopes, which, when it is not using them, it deposits in grooves along the side of its shell. A crab with red claws, one much larger than the other {Cancer sawjuhwlentus'). A small crab with a shell thrice as big as itself, in which it is covered over as by a buckler, so that its claws cannot be seen when it walks." {B. de St. Pierre, p. 77.)
" A kind of crab has been lately discovered to burrow at the foot of the coco-nut palm. Nature has provided this animal with a long claw, at the end of which is a nail serving to extract the substance of the fruit by the holes I have described. It has not the large pincers of other crabs — they would be useless to it. This animal was discovered on the Isle of Palms, to the north of Madagascar, by the shipwrecked crew of the Henrcux, which was lost there going to Bengal." (Ibid. , p. 127.) " Thesea-side is full of holes in which lodge a greatnumbcrof TouhmroiLV ; they are an amphibious crab, and make burrows underground like moles. They run very fast, and if you attemjit to catch them they snap their claws, and present their points by way of menace." (Ibid., p. 69.)
" Another amphibious and very extraordinary creature is the Ikruard VHermite, a kind of lobster whose hinder part is not provided with a shell, but it instinctively lodges itself in empty shells which it finds on the shore. One may see them run along in great numbers, each with its house after it, which it abandons for a larger when its growth makes it necessary." (Ibid., p. 70.)
214 AP.SKNCE OF SNAKES. [1696.
Here are no Serpents^ to be seen, and tlie People say they have been miraculously driven from this Island, as the Irish pretend St. Patrich has banish'd all venomous Animals from their Country.
There are neither Lice nor Fleas, nor Toads,- nor Frogs to be seen here, no more than at Rodrigo, and I fancy there are none in any of the Islands hereabouts. This abounds with Fish,^ and afl'ords sometimes yellow Amber,'* and Auiber- greece in like manner with Rodrigo.
Hurricanes were formerly very frequent and furious in this Island, but for twenty years, or thereabouts, they have none but that before-mention'd which we underwent on our liock. 'Tis true, they have in their stead, at certain Seasons,^
^ " Serpents." " There are no serpents in the Isle of France, and it 13 said that they cannot live there ; while in the surrounding islets, called the Isle Ronde, the Isle Loiujve., and the Coin dc Mire, there are both adders and serpents. I do not pretend to verify this opinion, but in the Coin de ]\Iire I have seen lizards twelve inches long." {De la CuiUe ; vide Grant, I. c, p. 378.)
Curiously enough, snakes have been found in Round Island at fourteen miles north-east of Mauritius, although not on the mainland. They belong to the Python family, forming a distinct genus, Casarea. (Cf. Wallace, Island Life, Part 11, chap, xix.)
2 No frogs or toads, but such as have been introduced, ex^st in the ^lascarene islands. Some European and Indian species, including Biifo melanostichis, are now acclimatised inhabitants. (Wallace, I. c, p. 409.)
3 "The coasts", says Baron Grant in 1711, " abound in fish, which have been already described, as well as enormous eels whicli are found in the rivers. I have frequently killed them with my gun in shallow waters." {Op. oil., p. 195.) "The Vieille is a blackish fish, and in form and taste a good deal like the cod-fish .... The water-pullet, a sort of turbot, is the best of all the fish caught here ; the fat is green." {St. Pierre, p. 76.)
■* Certain islets on the north-east coast of Mauritius yet retain the name of les lies d'Atnbre ; vide ante, p. 153.
^ Dr. Meldrum has established, from careful observation, the periodi- city of cyclone frequency in the southern Indian Ocean ; thus the five years 1847-51 were characterised by cyclone frequency, then came a
1696.] DEPARTURE FROM MAURITIUS. 215
Winds that are very violent, and accompany'd with great Rains.
It is a very singular thing in this Island, if what I have been told be true, that when-ever any Hurricane comes, it is always on the 9th of February. This passes for a current Truth.
The Inhabitants chuse for their Sowing-time^ this rainy Weather, which continues, without Intermission, for five or six Weeks together. This Island is not unhealthy, altho' the Heats be sometimes most excessive. Fair Weather commonly lasts there from the Mouth of June to that of Fehruary.
After having waited for a favourable Wind above six'^ Weeks, we at length set sail about six a clock in the Morn- ing, and so escap'd the pernicious Paws of the Sieur Rod. Diodati.
The Wind having shifted all of a sudden, we found our- selves oblig^l to drop Anchor : About Noon it came about to the South-East, and then we sail'd again, but we had soon after so great a Calm, that we saw the Island Maurice even on the ninth day. We return'd as far as the thirty-ninth Degree to find the Westerly Winds, which conducted us to
period of comparative calm (1852-67), which was followed by six years (1858-63) remarkable for cycloues. The next five years (1861:-68) showed a considerable decrease, and since (1869-74) thei-e was again an increase, and so on. This periodicity has been found to coincide with the cycle of sun-spots. (Vide Nature, vol. vi, p. 358.)
1 " Sowing-time.'' " The summer is very dry and the ground is in a state of aridity during that season. The warm rains then succeed, giving such vigour to vegetation that the weeds frequently prevail over the regular crops, which are twofold in the course of the year. In tliis season is soAvn the maize. In the month of May and June we sow our corn, which we reap at the end of September, as well as various kinds of beans, the greater part of which is sent to the magazines of the Company, to be ready for supplying the ships. Corn generally produces an hundred-fold.'' (Baron Grant, p. 194.)
^ In orig.: " plus de trois semaines."
216 ARRIVAL IN JAVA. [1696.
the Bar of Batavia, without meeting with any thing extra- ordinary in our Passage.
As the Governor of the Isle Mcmrice had put us under Arrest in his Island, we were kept the same till we came to Batavia. At our Landing we were put in Prison, and we continu'd there till the next day, the IGth of JDcccnibcr.
The Council of State of the Indies^ assembled that day, and we were carry'd before them. We presented our Peti- tion, in which we set forth amply all the Injustice had been done us at Isle Maurice ; and their Lordshij^s having at first conceiv'd the Justice of our Cause, they restor'd us our Liberty, of which we had been depriv'd for so long a time, and lodg'd us in the Saphir, which is one of the Bastions
1 " The cliief government of Batavia, and of all the possessions of the Dutch East-India Company in Asia, is vested in the Council of India, with the Governor-General at their head. This Council consisted (in 1763, when Admiral Stavorinus was there) of, besides the Director- General, five ordinary counsellors, including the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, nine extraordinary counsellors and two secretaries. This Council determined affairs of every kind, those which related to the ad- ministration of justice alone excepted (vide ante., pp. 192, 193). Yet, in civil matters an appeal could be made from the sentence of the Council of Justice to the Council of India. The authority of the Governor- General, however, was almost unbounded ; and, although obliged to give cognizance to the Council, and to consult them on some matters, he possessed the most arbitrary and independent power of all ; for there were few members of the Council who were not in need of his good offices, in some instance or the other ; for example, in order to obtain lucrative employment for their relatives or favourites ; and if this was not sufficient to make them obey the nod of the Governor, he was not destitute of the means of tormenting them, in every way, under various pretences, nay, of sending them prisoners to Europe." {Op. cit., vol. i, pp. 276-78.)
The Governor-General at Batavia, when Leguat and his unfortunate companions were confined there, was Willem van Outhoorn, whose life and portrait are given by Francois Valeutyn in his noble folios ; the likeness is evidently taken from the painting in the hall where the Council assembled.
1697-] DETAINED IN BATAVIA, 217
of the Fort,^ The Fleet was ready to depart, but the Council were so busie with other Affairs that they could not find time to look into Ours, so that, on the lU\r of February 1697, the General call'd one of us to him that spoke Dutch, and told him that the time was too short to examine our Pretensions, and that we should not return into Holland before pressing Affairs were determin'd ; that we must sufter this Fleet to depart, and that if our business could not be effected in five or six Weeks' time,^ our worst would be to remain at Batavia for a year, or thereabouts, where by reason we were stript of all, we should be listed for Soldiers, and allow'd Pay to the day of our Arrival in Holland} The General added, that in that time he would dispatch a Vessel
^ Vide infra.
2 In orig. : " le 4me Janvier."
3 In orig. : " (auquel temps deux Vaisseaux que Ton attendoit de- voient repartir)," omitted by translator.
4 " The Dutch", writes Le Sieur Luillier, in 1701, " are the wealthiest the strongest, and the greatest dealers of all Europeans in India, for they have never less than forty ships, and often more, trading con- tinually from one place to another ; with the produce whereof, and revenue of their dominions, they every year load thirteen or fourteen tall ships for Europe, whence as many come yearly, and so return, but they change their crews. For as soon as a commander comes from Europe, they put him into another ship, and those who have been three years in the service return home if they please. In order whereto they present a petition to the Council, which never rejects it, if the peti- tioners are fit to return ; and if there be not so many as to supply all the ships that are to return to Europe, the Governor consults who are the properest to be sent, that is, such as have made the best of their time, and are best able when they come home to maintain their families. The Dutch Company would have all that are in its service to thrive, and if any officer does not look after his own private business he is little look'd upon ; the Hollanders believing that he who neglects his own will not be diligent in another's concerns. Thus, unless a commander appears industrious in laying up for himself, he is very rarely prefcrr'd, and must not hope to return home 'till he has made some provision, the Council never regarding the petitions he presents ; so that he must stay
218 ENLISTED AS SOLDIERS. [1697.
to Isle Maurice} and so our Affairs should Lc liappily ended. AVe insinuated those Conditions could not be extreamly aj^reeahle to us, by reason we were not of the Dregs of the People, and that tho' we were now Poor and Miserable, that had wholly been occasion'd by the Governor of Isle Maurice, the Company s Officer, who had pillag'd us, and therefore 'twas against him that we demanded Justice, which if it were speedily afforded us, we should soon be in a Condition to subsist without tho mean Pay of a Soldier.^ But however good our Eeasons might be, if they were not contradicted, they were not much hearken'd to. Our Persecutor had his Friends there, and we poor, half-starv'd, half-naked Creatures, Avere not considerable enough to turn the Scale, so that we must submit to what they would have us, and turn Soldiers.^ We were posted in different Places, and as the Sieur B — le, who spoke Dutch, wrote likewise a very good Hand, he was thought worthy to fill the Place of Clerk to the Fort, where he was lodg'd.
The Sieur dc la Case was detain'd still in Prison, but after several Petitions, we presented jointly with him for his Enlargement, the Council considering the Information they had receiv'd from Isle Maurice, and perceiving that his Crime consisted only in projecting a thing he never executed, nor endeavour'd to execute, they pronounc'd him Innocent, and made him a Soldier like the rest.
Our Amber-greece stuck in our Stomachs, as did likewise all the other things we had been robb'd of, viz.. Gold Ingots,
by force, and should he happen to get away without leave they would prosecute him as a deserter." ( Voyacje to East India, p. 321.)
1 In orig. : "qui seroit en ^tat de partir," omitted by translator.
'^ In orig.: "Nous nous trouverions en etat de subsister par nous- memes d'une manicre plus agr6able que dans la condition de Sol- dats."
•^ In orig. : " nous pauvres, decharnez & couverts de haillons, nous faisions nne figure qui n'imposoit pas beaucoup de respect ; de sorte qu'il i'allut en passer par oil ou voulut, & devcnir Soldat."
1697.] PETITIONS IGNORED. 210
Coiii'd Silver, Cloaths, Instruments and Utensils, which, without reckoning the Bark, amounted to the value of 2,000 Crowns. But the various Petitions we presented on this Head were always put off to another time.^
After we had continu'd five or six Months in this Con- dition at Batavia, the General sent for him whom he had made the Clerk of the Fort, and told him there had no occasion yet offer'd to send for the Governor of Isle Maurice to answer our Complaints in Person, and for that reason our Affairs could not for the present be search'd to the bottom, but he did not doubt they would do us Justice in Holland, and therefore we might if we pleas'd pursue it there, and get our selves ready to depart with the first Fleet.^
After this manner it pleas'd our Superiors at Batavia to determine our Suit. Tliey need not have kept us there so long, to give us no better Satisfaction. They might have let us go at first according to our Desires, and tho' they made=^ us do Duty in the Vessel without Pay, as we had done in our Voyage from Isle Maurice. But those who were secretly
1 In orig.: "rendre etant d'ordinaire uue chose peu agreable aux reudeurs," omitted by translator.
2 "The seamen coming out of Europe are, in the same manner, imme- diately put aboard other ships, and may not return into Europe under three years' service, being allowed some little trade for their greater encouragement ; for the true way to be well serv'd is to promote the interest of those who are employ'd. Thus we see that there is no reason to admire that the Dutch are so wealthy, and so zealously serv'd in India, their care in advancing such as are in their service exciting all persons to be zealous in the performance of their duty ; for the kindness of a master very often fixes the wavering fidelity of the servant. It is well known that the Dutch owe the flourishing condition they are m to the mighty trade they drive in several parts of the world ; and it is no less plain that their greatest wealth is drawn from India, whence, as has been said, they yearly receive thirteen or fourteen ships richly laden ; the cargo whereof outward-bound costs them little, and the import they vend to all other nations at their own rates." (LuiUier, translation by Symson, vp. cit., p. 322.)
^ In orig,: "au hasard meine do scrvir."
220 DEATH OF DE LA HAVE. [l^97-
ill our Eobbers' Interest, thought that a lengthening out of time, might in some measure efface the Idcca of his Infamy's, old Crimes never ap})earing so crying as new.
Some time after the Sicur dc la Hayc, one of our unfortu- nate Companions, dy'd of a Bloody Flux at Batavia, that being the ordinary Distemper reigning in those Countries ; so that of five we were at first, there now remain'd but three, the Sieurs Be — le, La Case, and my Self.
Altho' there have been many Accounts of Batavia'^ the Beader will not think me impertinent if I acquaint him with what I have observ'd there during a year's Eesidence, without having any regard to what Descriptions have been made by others.
^ The best account of the foundation and rise of Batavia is that in Franpois A^'alentyn's great work, entitled Oud en JS'icnw Oost Indie. It was iu 1619 that the Governor-General* took the town of Jaccatra, which he in a great measure destroyed, and founded another city, not exactly on the same spot, but very near it, to which he gave the name of Batavia ; though it is said that he much wished to have called it New Horn, from the place of his nativity, Horn in North Holland. Although then an inconsiderable place, iu point of strength and beauty, he declared it the capital of the Dutch settlements in India ; his choice of the situation was so just, his plan so well contrived, and everything throve so fast under his care, that Batavia rose with unparalleled rapidity to that magnificence and importance which have rendered it both the admiration and the dread of all the more eastern nations of the Indies ; and which still dazzle and overawe them, although the city has for these last fifty years (1748-98) greatly declined, both as to opulence and poiiulatiou. (Wilcocke, op. at., i, 250.)
* Ian Pieterszoon Koen, whose likeness is portrayed by Valentyn. "The inestimable work of Valentyn", wrote Wilcocke, in 1793, to which the reader is so frequently referred, "is scarce even in Holland ; it consists of five large folio volumes, containing upwards of l,U00cop2)er- plates.'' Mr. Wilcocke was in possession of a copy which he procured at much pains and expense ; and he says that, " would his limits allow it, he would be more copious in his extracts from it, as it is a treasure locked up in a chest, of which few have the key, no translation having ever been made of it." (Slavorinns, vol. ii, p. 351.) There is a good copy of this valuable work in the London Library.
\
1 697-] THE CITY OF BATAVIA. 221
This City is so fine, and so considerable in all Respects, that it may well furnish new Subjects of Observation to every Traveller, and especially to the New-comers, who shall not fail to meet with continual Changes and Altera- tions.
It lies in a ilat Country, in the Island of Java, in the sixteenth^ Degree of South-Latitude, and is built altogether
1 Batavia Observatory is in 6° 7' 36" lat. S., 106° 48' 7" lonp;. E., of Greenwich. In orig. : " an sixieme dcyre de Latitude Meridionalc.'" The town was surrounded, as Leguat observed, by a rampart faced with stone and fortified with twenty-two bastions. The rarajDart was environed by a ditch about forty-five yards over, full of water at spring high tides, but nearly dry and stinking at low water during certain seasons. The approaches to the town were defended by several detached forts. In virtue of which prudent measures it was supposed that no enemy could ever surprise the city.
The city of Batavia might well obtain the appellation of being the Queen of the East, on account of the wealth of its inhabitants, the grandeur of its buildings, and the vast extent of its commerce. This wiis indeed the heart of the Dutch empire in India, as the island of Java itself constituted the principal source of all its opulence and strength. By the annexation of Holland to France the Dutch were deprived of the protection afforded by their alliance with Great Britain, and Batavia was captured by Sir Samuel Auchmuty, in August 1811, and relinquished to the Dutch. after the fall of Napoleon, 1816.
The fortifications of Batavia were destroyed before the arrival of the British, by General Daendels, with a view to rendering the city more healthy. The toAvn, says Thorn, has certainly a fine appearance, and contains many substantial houses. " The streets are broad, with canals in the middle, on each side of which is a gravelled road for the use of carriages, etc., and on the side next to the houses is a pavement six feet in width, for foot passengers. Eows of trees run along the sides of the canal, and the edge of each footpath, consisting principally of the Inophyllum and Calaba, the Canary Nut-tree, and the Guettarda Spe- ciosa with its odoriferous flowers. The canals, which have numerous bridges over them, are 'generally of the same breadth as the carriage- roads." {Vide Thorn, /. c.,p. 252.)
" The castle at Batavia", says Thorn, "is very spacious, and contains a number of buildings and extensive warehouses, in the construction of which prodigious labour and expense must have been incurred. Such, however, was tl)c unhealthincss of the jilace to the troops that they were withdrawn, and the spot converted into a depot for naval and
222 STREETS AND CANALS. [1697.
after the manner of HoUand, but with white Stone. Its form is an oblong Square, and in an Angle towards the Xorth-West is the Sea, and the Fort or Citadel. Its Length is about two Thousand common Paces, and its Breadth about fifteen Hundred. The Houses in general were formerly low built, but now they have got a Custom of building them higher, no more Hurricanes being to be fear'd, so that the City is become much finer than it was at first. The Streets are straight and large, and have for the most part Canals running through them, with tall Trees on their Banks, like those of Holland, but with this Difference, that the Trees here are always green.
The Canals are fill'd with clear Water from a certain Elver, which having run thro' the City,^ discliarges it self into the Sea. The City is surrounded with strong Walls, and flank'd with many good Bastions well furnish'd with Cannon.
The Citadel is a Fort with four Eoyal Bastions, fac'd with large square Stones, and built level with the Ground without any Ditch/ and consequently without Water, whatever the
military stores, magazines for spices and other valuable articles." (L'. 253.)
" The city, however, is now much deserted, and all the wealthy inhabit- ants live in the environs, priucipally on two roads leading to AA'elter- vrceden ; the one east called the Jacatra road, the other west through Molenvliet and Ryswick, These two elegant roads are planted with shady trees, and exhibit all along a number of very handsome houses, with beautiful gardens and plantations round them, thus forming a very agreeable excui-sion of about six miles." (P. 252.)
1 In orig. : " en se commuuiquant 9^ & lii," omitted by translator.
2 There is an observable discrepancy in the different accounts as to the presence of a ditch to the citadel. The East India Officer [1747- 48] says the fort has " four royal bastions faced with stone, but no other moat than the canals, which lie at some distance from the ramparts, are about twenty feet broad, and fordable in most places." (An almost exact copy of Leguat's words !) Stavorinus, on the other hand, later, distinctly states of the castle or citadel, that the walls and ramparts are built of coral-rock, and are about twenty feet in height. " It is surrounde<l by a
i6gy.] THE FORT. 223
Abbot de Choisy^ may say to the contrary, whose Voyage, in other respects, is good enough. At a certain distance from the Eampart, which is not equal on every side, there are indeed Canals of twenty, and twenty-five Foot broad, which defend, in some measure, the approaches to the Fort, altho' they are fordable almost every where, as I can well affirm who have often sounded them. You cross the Fort from North to South, there being in the middle of the two Cur- tains two Gates which look upon one anotlier. As they have no reason to apprehend a sudden Siege, they have taken no care to leave the place of Arms as open as it ought to be, but on the contrary, have crouded it with Houses, for 'tis there the General, the Director-General, the ordinary and extraordinary Counsellors, and the other Officers and People belonging to the Comjyany, live. This Fort commands both tlie Haven and the Town, and is mounted with about sixty Pieces of Cannon, fifteen or sixteen whereof have the Arms of France on them, having been taken from the French. The four Bastions have the names of the Diamond, Euhy,
wet ditch, over wliich on the south side lies a drawbridge. Between the moat and the buildings within the fort, on this side, there is a large area or esplanade." {Op. cit., i, 225.) Captain Parish's account of this fortress, in Macartney's Embassy to China, 1793, is as follows : " A little above was the castle ; a regular square fort, but without ravelins or outworks. It had two guns mounted on each flank, and two, or some- times three, on each face ; they were not en harhctle, nor properly en embrasure, but in a situation between both, having both their disadvan- tages, without the advantage of either. The wall was of masonry about twenty-four feet high. It had no ditch, but a canal surrounded it at some distance. It had no cordon.''' (Stavorinus, vol, i, p. 256.)
" In the middle of the city there is a large square which is used as a garrison. On the west side of this square stands a great clnirch, whose cupola, though not so large, yet resembles that of St. Paul's at London so much, that the English sailors commonly give it that name." ( Voyage to East Indies, 1747-48, p. 79.)
' " La citadelle est batie sur pilotis : elle est de quatre grands bastions avec un bon foss^ d'eau vive." {Journal du Voyaye dc ,Si(un, par ]\I. I'Abbe dc Choisy, 2nd edit., p. 223.)
224 FINE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. [1697.
Pearl, and Saphire} Between the Town and the Fort, Southerly of the latter, there is a considerable large Field where Sheep feed, which is travers'd by a fine row of Trees that lead to the Fort-Gate, within which is a Corps de Guard} You may there see, between four Pallisadoes, a great num- ber of Cannon for the Ships. Almost in the middle of the City there is a large square Place, where the Garrison is commonly drawn up, being about 1,000 Men. Myn Heer Greverihrook, a very good Man, and an Officer of this Garri- son, was so kind and generous to me on all Occasions, that I am glad of having here an opportunity to make my Acknowledgments to him. On one side Westward of this Place stands the great Church, Southerly the Guild -Hall or Town-House, jSTortherly there is a long range of fine Houses, and Easterly there runs one of the great Canals. Over and above this great Church, where Divine Worship is exercis'd in Dutch, there is another in the Citadel.
The reforni'd Portugueses have two Churches, one in the City and another in the Suburbs ; and these Congregations are very Numerous, because they consist of divers Foreigners that speak the Portuguese Language. The both Proselite and Reforni'd Malays have also a Church in the City, where the Service is in their Language : This is a Translation of
1 " Besides the forts," writes Smollett, " there is the famous citadel of Batavia, which is a very fine regular fortification situated at the mouth of the river, facing the city, and planted with four bastions, two of which command the sea, 'and the other two the town." {Op. cit., x, cap. i.)
Valentyn, in his Life of Cornelis Spcelman, Governor-General of the Indian Ncderlands, gives the number of guns in these bastions, with their names, Diamant, Rohyn, Sapphier, and Paarl. The same author also gives engravings of the buildings within and without the citadel.
" This citadel", writes Smollett, " hath two great gates, the one called the Company's gate, built in 1G30, with a bridge of square stone, of four- teen arches, each twenty-six yards long." {Universal Hint., vol. x,cap. i.)
2 " On the left side of the gate is a large building, which serves as a corps-de-garde, having in front a long gallery, resting upon a row of pillars. A captain's guard of grenadiers are generally posted here." {Stavoriniis, vol. i, p. 257.)
1 697-] SUBUEBS AND GABDENS. 225
the Holland Liturgy. This Church is large, and has a very numerous Congregation. The Roman Catholicks have also Liberty of Conscience, and do what they please in their own Houses, without the Magistrates intermedling, hut they are to have the exercise of no Publick Worship.
The City is surrounded with an universal Suburh which extends above half a League into the Country, and which forming a second City much larger than the first contains likewise a greater number of Inhabitants. It is here the Chincses live, on account of their Burial-Places and Pagodes. They have also a Eesidence in the City and even an Hos- pital. The Suburbs have likewise Canals of divers sizes, witli double rows of Trees. Besides the great Canal in the middle, there are two smaller on each side, about fifteen or twenty foot broad, which wash the Foundations of the Houses, insomuch that you can't enter them but over a Draw-Bridge : Behind are large Gardens and Orchards, which furnish Batavia with Pulse and Fruits. The Gardens of the City are small and few in number. The Houses of Gardiners, and other such like mean People in the Suburbs, are for the most part built with Bamboos, which are a sort of hollow, light, and very hard Canes as large as one's Thigh, and commonly forty or fifty foot long. These Bamhoos are very beneficially made use of divers other ways, because they for a long time resist the injuries of the Air. They have here likewise divers other sorts of Canes : 'Tis very common to find a-top of these Canes large Ant-Nests, made of a fat Earth, which these Animals^ carry up in the inside of the Canes. In these Nests every Ant has its little Coll apart, not unlike those the Bees make. 'Tis here they have their Eesidence, during the violent and frequent Rains wliich over-flow the Country for four or five Months in tlie year, and which would certainly drown them, if they had not this Secret to preserve themselves from Danger.
' Termites or white ants.
Q
226 THE GENERAL MAGAZINE. [i'^97-
The Bay of Batavia is the finest and most secure of any in the World : Ships ride there without any danger all the year round; for that Sea is hardly ever agitated, as well because there are a great number of little Islands that break the Waves, as because the Winds there are never Violent. Every day, without ever failing, there rises about ten a Clock in the Morning a Sea-gale, which serves to carry the Chaloupes into the City, and at ten at Night there comes one from the Land, that carries the same Chaloupes out again to Sea. One belongs to the North, and the other to the South.^
These Chaloupes and some Fisher-boats go and come by a streight Canal that comes out of the Paver, and which is form'd by two Paralel-Lines supported by Piles, and fill'd with Earth, in like manner as the Dikes in Holland, or rather those of BmikirW- are.
This Canal is twelve hundred common Paces long, and each Dike is about five and twenty foot broad. They would be wonderful fine Walks, if they were shaded with a double row of Trees. As there are no bad Winds there, those Trees w^ould undoubtedly grow well, and I fancy their Eoots would bind the Earth of the Dikes together, rather than loosen it.
Batavia being not only the general Magazine of the Company, and the Place from whence she sends most of her Fleets to all Parts of the World ; and being likewise the place of Eefuge and oftentimes the Asylum for the ships of other Nations ; it is easie to imagine that the view of this Bay fill'd witli so many large Vessels must be wonderfully pleasant, especially if you consider that you see at the same
1 The regular tropical land and sea-breezes.
2 Diinl-irk^ in 1702, was thus described by Dr. John Northleigh : "Its situation is on the North side of the Canal, environ'd by the Sea in form of a Halfmoon, the Breach of which is us'd to fill the Works Avith Sand, but this is resisted now by a long Bank of Timberwork, Faggots, and Fascines, that run for half a mile into the Sea." (Harris's Voyages, vol. ii, p. 721.)
1 697-] A SUPPORTABLE CLIMATE. 227
time fifteen or twenty little Islands always cover'd with green Trees.
The Company builds its Slii^DS at a small Island call'd Onrut} about two Leagues from Batavia. It is well fur- nish'd, and provided with a good Artillery.
Altho' Batavia be far in the Torrid Zone, the Heats there are very Supportable, because the Sea- Winds, of which I have already spoken, refresh the Air extreamly, and render it temperate even at Noon-day.^
The Eains also are very frequent from the Month of November, to that of April, which is the time the Heats ought to be most Violent, because they are the six Summer Months of this Country.^ In truth, the Days being almost equal to the Nights all the year round, and the Cold being in a manner unknown, we may say the Summer here is Perpetual. One judges of the Harvest by the Eain that falls more or less during these six Months ; for when it does
^ The works on the island of Onrust for building and repairing ships of all sizes were destroyed by Sir Edward Pellew ; but previously ships were here hove down by cranes erected upon the wharves, when they required repairs. This little island was strongly fortified, and. had a handsome church and large warehouses, being the great marine depot ; it was crowded with inhabitants, and was celebrated in Dutch poetry as one of the wonders of the Eastern world. (Cf. Thorn's Conquest of Java, p. 251.)
2 Admiral Stavorinus writes : " What, however, is the most disagree- able circumstance attending a residence at Batavia, is the insalubrity of the climate, and the great degree of mortality which prevails there." Stavorinus goes on to attribute this unhealthiness to the low, swampy land, overgrown with trees and underwood, the neighbourhood of morasses and stagnant water, the " stinking mud-banks", " filthy bogs", and the slime, moUusca, dead fish, mud, and weeds thrown up along the shore, which, putrifying with the utmost rapidity, load the air with miasmata. Already in the time of Stavorinus all who could afford it had deserted the town to reside in the country higher up, whilst the numerous canals by neglect had become mere sewers. {Op. cit.^i vol. iii, chap, vi.)
3 From October to April the north-west monsoon of the Indian Ocean prevails on the coasts of Java and Sumatra, with bad weather and heavy rains.
q2
228 MUM AXD KXIP. [1697.
but Eain little, or not at all, the Earth abounds so with Insects that the Fruits, Herbs, Pulse, and particularly the Eice are so eaten by them, that they are altogether spoil'd.
Eice is so common throughout all this Island, which has about two liundred Leagues in Length, to fifty in Breadth, that a Man can hardly eat a Farthings-worth in a Day, altho' great quantities are eaten there, Kice being the ordinary Bread of this Country. No other sort of Corn will grow here. That which they have is brought from Bcngala, where it costs but a Farthing a Pound. There is a great deal brought to Batavia, from that Province of the Great Mogul ; and Wheat-Bread is not sold dearer here than in Holland. The Natives do not at all care for it.
There are no Vine-yards in any part of Java ; but at Batavia, and thereabouts, there are a great many Vine- Arbours,^ whose Grapes are good enough to eat, but 'tis observ'd they come to no great jSIaturity. These Vines produce Fruit seven times in two years. As soon as the Grapes are gathered you cut the Vine, and in about three Months and a half, you will have new ones, that will be as ripe as can be here. These Vines bear Grapes the first year they are planted, and shoot more in one year, as do likewise all other Trees, than they would do in eight in Europe. For all this no Wine is made here, and that which is drunk comes either from Persia or Spain, and costs near a Crown a Pint.'^ Beer from Brunswick, call'd also Mum, is very dear here, but there is a sort made in the Country, which is tolerably good, that does not cost above a Penny a Pint. The Soldiers drink, for the same Price, a sort of Liquor call'd Knip, made of Brandy distill'd from Fruit and a certain Sea-froth. This is a more pernicious Potable than Araquc at Isle Maurice, especially when it is new.
The ordinary Drink at Batavia, and the most cheap, is
^ In orig. : " Yignes en treilles."
2 Fn orig. : (" la quarte d'Angleterre)," omitted by translator.
l6gy.] TEA AND COFFEE EOOMS. 229
Tea, which the Chineses sell for the most part in Eooms^ for that purpose. For two Dutch Pence, they give you four different Cups of Sweet-Meats, containing each half a Pound, and another like Cup of White- sugar-candy ; besides which they bring you as much Tea as four People can drink. They use ordinarily the best common Tea, which is sold at ten Pence- a Pound. Imperial Tea is worth twice that Money. In these same Places, you may likewise have Coffee, but it is sold a Penny a Dish, as in Eiigland and Holland.
They have at Batavia divers sorts of excellent Fruits, of which Grapes only and Water-Melons are known in Europe.
Tlie Ananas, Coco's, and Bana7ics are to be met with in great abundance.
Every one knows what the i>c/c^-Leaves, and Arcqna Nuts ^re, which all the Natives of this Island, both Men, Women, and Children chaw incessantly to fortifie their Gums and Stomach, for sometimes they swallow the Juice. This Juice is as red as Blood, and gives a like Tincture to the Spittle, which it provokes abundantly,^ so that all who use this Drink have their Lips continually bloody as it were, which is no pleasant sight to look upon. When you are not accustom'd to this Drug, you find its Tast insupportably sharp, but otherwise it becomes like Tobacco,* and you find it difiicult to leave it. If this Betel strengthens the Gums, as all say it does,^ with all my Heart, but I'm sure at the same time it blackens the Teeth in that frightful manner, that these People must needs be ignorant of the sweetness and charms of a fair Mouth. Betel is a Shrub, shap'd somewhat like a Pepper-Tree, but has triangular Leaves^ and is green all the
1 In orig. : " & ce sont les Chinois qui tienneut ces sortes de cabarets."
2 In orig. : "dix sous" = bil,
3 In orig, : " qu'il faut perpetuellement craclier," omitted by trans- lator.
4 In orig, ; " quand une fois on en a pris I'habitude," omitted by trans- lator.
^ In orig, : " j'y consens & je m'eu rapportc a ce qui cu est."
230 AREQUA AND MANGOS. [1697.
year round. The Tree that bears the Nut call'd Arcqua, is very tall and straight. They commonly wrap up a quarter of an Arcqua-'KviV' in some Betcl-LQa.\cs, and so chaw them together : Some add a little Slack'd-Lime, but that is not in use at Batavia.
Mango is a Fruit of the Country, which passes for very good and very wholsom. It is commonly about the bigness of an Egg, but longer, and a little crooked like a Gerkin Cucumber. Its Eind is green and thick, and I have heard some say they have seen red of them. The inside is white, and tasts somewhat like a Muscat-Gr^-^o, : It is very fast ty'd by its Fibres to the Stone, which is large. This Fruit grows upon a great Tree, very proper for the Carpenter.^ There is a sort of Mango without a Stone, which is pickled in Vinegar like this, with Garlick, Anuiseed, and some other Ingre- dients.
The Gardens* of Batavia furnish the Inhabitants with Herbs and Pulse of the Euroioean kind, from whence the
1 " Pinang is the name of the kernel of the areca-nut {Areca cathecn) ; but it seems likewise to mean the mixture of the ingredients they use for mastication." (Wilcocke, I. c, vol. i, p. 78 ; vide ante, p. 197.)
" The betel is a plant which produces long rank leaves, in their shape resembling those of a citron ; in taste they are of an agreeable bitter. The fruit grows in the shape of a lizard's tail, about two fingers' breadth, very long, of an aromatic flavour, and in its smell extremely grateful. The Indians carry with them continually the leaves of betel at all visits ; they are presented in ceremony, and the natives are ahuost perpetually chewing them. As the taste is very bitter, they for the most part qualify them with araca fauful (a kind of nut some- thing smaller than the nutmeg, without taste, and yielding when chewed a red juice), or the powder of calcined oyster-shells. Thus prepared they have a very agreeable flavour. After they have chewed the juice out of them, they spit forth the dry mass. There are some who mix their betel-leaves witli lime, amber, and cardamom- seeds, others with Chinese tobacco." {Universal Hist., vol. ix.)
2 In orig. : " dont le bois est propre pour la charpente."
3 The handsome country houses in the environs of Batavia, with beautiful gardens aud plantations around tbem, extended for miles to the east, west, aud south of the city. (Cf. Thorn aud Stavoriuus.)
l6gy.] BEEF, GAME, AND DHUGS. 231
Seed has been brought. This Island, moreover, as you may- very well imagine, has its own particular Plants. Here follow two of them, which one of my Friends who has apply'd himself to that Study, has curiously design'd for me : I think they are little known ; they say they only grow naturally in some of those little Islands which lie between Borneo and Java}
Beef and Buffalo cost two pence a Pound, and are not much better one than the other. This Country abounds with a sort of wild Boars or Hogs, which you may have at very cheap rates. Mutton is extreamly dear here, and to be seen only at the best Tables. The Eeason is that sheep are not rear'd without great difficulty, the pasture being not proper for them, and the Dew besides rotting them^ : They swell and die in a short time. China-'PoYk, so call'd because the Hogs come from that Country, is sold at six-pence a Pound : They have Pullets, Ducks, and Pigeons, which are sold very near as dear as they are in Europe. Hunted Game is scarce, except Pintado'' s, of which I have already spoken, and whereof there are two or three kinds: You have abundance of Fish here, and that almost for nothing. There is but one reigning or common Distemper in the Island of Java, but which is very dangerous, and extreamly painful. The French at Batavia call this Disease Lc Perse : It is a continual Bloody Flux. As there is no known Ptemedy for it, the Patient must wait, live sparingly, and let Nature act, the surest and safest Method in most sorts of Maladies. One may truly say, according to the Etymology of the Word, that the Drugs which Pharmacy is compos'd of, generally speaking are rather a parcel of Poysons than Eemedies, and they believe in Java, among the Islanders, that almost all
1 The plates of these two extraordinary plants hardly suffice to give means of identification, and are, therefore, not included among the illustrations of this edition.
2 In orig. : " & la rosee sur tout leur ctant fort coutraire."
232 COCK-FIGHTING. [l(^97-
those that prescribe them in Europe (much more blamable than those that sell them) are the Pests of Mankind. The common opinion is that Buffalo-Yl&sh. and Fruit contribute much towards causing this Distemper, and, nevertheless, that is the Flesh which is most sold at the Butchers.
To speak Truth, Batavia is not a Place of very good Cheer. They want a great many Things, and what they have in common with us are scarce, high priz'd, and bad, in comparison of Ours. China-Voxk, which I spoke of not long since, is luscious and insipid : The Poultry is not much better, and consequently the Eggs. The Pasture, quite different from ours of Europe, occasions bad Flesh, bad Milk, and bad Butter, but all these are to be had in small quan- tities.
What I have just now said of the Poultry, brings into my Piemembrance tlie Sport of Cock-fighting, which is one of the greatest and most common Diversions of this Island. They breed up great numbers of these Animals on purpose, and arm them with sharp Iron Spurs, which they made use of with greater Dexterity than Force. The Javans are the Managers of these Sports, and whoever will, may come to them Gi'atis : Almost every Body is concern'd in Wagering more or less, and somtimes considerable Sums are lay'd. Whereas in England, where this Diversion is likewise com- mon, they disfigure their Cocks by cutting off their Tails, and plucking out Feathers out of other parts of their Body,^ they here leave them in their natural State. 'Tis true they are not so nimble as the English Cocks, but that Inconvenience being equal on both sides, it is no advantage to either, and the Combatants appear Nobler and more fierce. Some of these Cocks have greatly enrich'd their Masters.
There are very fierce Beasts in this Island, such as the lihinoccros and T?/gcr : These last are of a prodigious bigness.
1 In orig. : " coinine los Athletes ont accoutuim' dc se dcbai'casscr de icurs habits pour ctrc phis agilcs," omitted by translator.
1 697-] CROCODILES. 233
For Wolves they are altogether unknown in this Country, as well as Foxes.
There are abundance of Deer and Apes of all kinds. Crocodiles are extreamly dreaded here, insomuch that the Company give thirty Florins for every one that is kill'd ; some have been seen of twenty or thirty foot long : The com- mon Opinion in this Country, as it has always been among the Naturalists is, that this Animal grows as long as he lives, which nevertheless seems a Fable. I omit other Stories that are told of this Creature ; even a Musket-ball can't enter its Back, you must shoot at its Belly. He is very swift in running, and when you are pursu'd by him you must fly dodging, because his Body being very long, and not at all flexible, must have time to turn, when you may gain Ground and get easily from him : He is a great lover of Dog's-flesh, and as 'tis said, no less greedy of Man's, but care is taken he seldom meets with the last. These Creatures are sometimes taken with a large Hook, fasten'd to the end of a Chain, and baited with a piece of Dog's or Sheep's Flesh. I have seen one taken in a Net at Sea, about half a Mile^ from Batavia : He was thirty- foot long. His flesh was white, and smelt a little Mustish^ : It is wholsom enough to eat. Some Persons who liv'd a long time at Batavia assur'd me there is a sort of Crocodile which is a particular Enemy to the Poultry. These Animals live for the most part in the Sea, or in the disemboguing of Rivers : There are likewise Serpents in this Island. One day as the Sieur dc la Case was hunting in a Wood near Batavia, he perceiv'd one coming down from a Tree hissing : It was as large as his Arm, and seven or eight foot long. As this Serpent approach'd, and began to come furiously at him, he killed him with a Fusee."* He had a
' In orig. ^ In orig. 3 In orig. * In oriL'.
" a cinq cens pas." " treize."
" un pen musquee." " (Vun coup de fusil."
234 THE SEurENT-STONE. [1697.
sort of Hood upon his Head, much like that meiition'd Ly ]\Iousieur Tavcrnicr. j\I. dc la Case was so terribly frightened at this Serpent, and dreaded so much to meet with another of them, that he did not mind looking after the Stone they say they have under their Hoods, which is an admirable Antidote.^ There are another sort of Serpents, which are at least fifty Foot long. They preserve at Batavia the Skin of one that devour'd a young Girl, and which was not above twenty foot long.
Whilst I am upon this Article of Animals in Java, I shall speak something concerning an extraordinary Ape, which I my self have often seen on the Point of the Bastion call'd Sajyhire, where she had a little house. It was a Female, very tall, and who walk'd upright on its hind-Legs, It conceal'd the Parts that distinguishes the Sexes, by one of its Hands, which was neither hairy without nor within. Its Face had no other Hair upon it than the Eye-brows, and in general it much resembled one of those Grotesque Faces which the Female Hottentots have at the Cape. It made its Bed neatly every Day, went into it, laid its Head upon a Pillow, and cover'd its self with a Coverlet, after the manner practis'd
1 " The Serpent-stone, which is about the Bigness of a Double, is ahnost Oval, thick in the Middle and thin about the Sides ; the Indians say 'tis bred in the Head of certain Serpents, but 'tis more probable, 'tis a Composition of certain Drugs, because they are to be had of the Bramines only ; but however it be, it is of excellent Virtue to drive away venom from such as are bitten by venomous beasts ; for being laid to the Wound, 'twill not come off till it has drawn out all the Poison, and being steep'd in Women's or Cows' Milk like Corruption. There is another Stone called the Serpent-Stone with the Hood, because that kind of Serpent has a Hood hanging down behind the Head, in which this Stone is found. It is many times as big as a Pullet's Egg, but it is not found in any less than 2 foot long. . . . This Stone being rubb'd against another Stone yields a Slime, which being drunk in Water by the Person that is poisou'd powerfully expels the Venom. These Serpents are found only on the Coasts of Mclinda, but the Stones are bought of the Portuguese INlariners and Soldiers that come from Mozambique." (Tavcrnier, Harris's Voyar/cs, vol, ii, p. 375.)
1697-] PARTICULAR SPECIES OF APE. 235
among us. When it had the Heacl-Ach it bound its Head with a Clout, and 'twas pleasant to see it so coif'd a-bed. 1 could tell you several other odd Stories of this Animal which seem'd extreamly singular, but as I could not admire them so much as others did, because I knew she was to be sent to Europe, and for that reason might have been taught all these Tricks,^ I did not deduce the same Consequences from them : In a word, this Ape died at last off the Cape of Good Hope, in one of the Ships belonging to the Fleet I was in. This Creature had much of a Human Figure, and, as 'tis said, was of a particular Species of Apes, to be found only in the Island of Java, but all were not of this Opinion,^ and some believ'd this Beast was begot between an Ape and a Woman. When any Female Slave has committed a great Fault, and has reason to apprehend being severely chastiz'd for it, after the Custom of the Country, she commonly flies to the Woods as a frighted Beast, and lives there much like one. And Nature, who does not oppose the Copulation of Horses with Asses, may well admit that of an Ape with a Female- Animal that resembles him, especially where the latter is not restrain'd by any Principle. An Ape and a A^c^ro-Slave born and brought up out of the knowledge of God, have not less Similitude between them than an Ass and a Mare.^
1 In orig.: " que le peuple regardoit comme lui etant naturell es : h, la verite, c'etait une supposition," omitted by translator.
2 In orig. : " Mais il y avoit peu de gens de ce sentiment, & I'opinion commune etoit que cette bete."
3 A similar experience is related by an officer in the British East India Company's service in 1747 : " There is an animal here which I had the curiosity to view very attentively. It resembled the human form much more than any creature I had ever seen. It was young, had a melan- choly look, the face almost bare, but the head, eyebrows, and chin very rough. It made little noise, showed great fondness in grasping me around and squeezing me ; and sometimes made a low, pensive sound as if whining and crying. It walked upright with great ease, and was about three feet and a half high. It had no tail, and was very often found in the woods. Some people not considering in the scale of being what an almost imperceptible gradation is constantly observed between
23G DIVERS NATIONS. [1697,
I shall add to the figure of this Ape that of a small Lizard ia the Isle of Gilolo,^ which one of my Friends drew according to the natural Bigness, and presented to me. This pretty little Animal has the Bill and Feet of a Bird : Its Head is of a lightish green, its Back of a brownish red, and its Belly Limon -colour spotted with Violet-blue. Its Tail has marks like Rings round it : It is a lively Creature, and very swift : It catches and greedily devours Flies. This is the Account that has been given me of this Animal.
Batavia, including the City and Suburbs, is inhabited by divers Xations, viz., Dutch, French, Germans, Portugueses, Javans, Ghineses, and Moors. The Languages most in use are Dutch, Malcuj, Portuguese, and Chinese?
one species of animal and that which is next to it, and struck with the near resemblance of this creature to the human kind, both in form and sagacity, have accounted for its production in the following manner : that the cruelty of the Dutch to their Malayan female slaves often obliged them to fly into the woods to escape the cruelty of their tyran- nical masters ; and being forced to live there solitarily, it was thought that they might by length of time turn mad or insensibly brutish, and might have yielded to an unnatural commerce with some animals in the woods, by which this strange animal was produced.'' {A Voyage to the East Indies in 1747-48, p. 62. London, 1752.)
1 " Gillolo Island, partly tributary to Teruate and partly to Tidore, is of considerable extent and well inhabited. Oxen, buffaloes, goats, deer, and wild hogs abound in this island, but sheep are very few. The sago and bread-fruit trees flourish here in great abundance. Ossa town, situated on the south side of the great bay of that name, in lat. 0° 45' X., long. 128° 22' E., affords every convenience for ships touching here, either for water, provisions, timber for spars, or other necessary articles. There are several villages in this bay, but that of Golonasy was destroyed by the Dutch, on the 25th January, 1808." (Thorn, I. c, 348.)
The lizard described by Leguat is probably intended for the Tacluj- dromus sexlineattts, not solely confined to this island, but found thi'ough- out the neighbouring Archipelago, Malaya, and China.
2 "The population of Batavia", according to IMajor Thorn, in 1811, '• is divided into the following classes. Next to the Dutch burghers, come the Portuguese or half-castes, and other Indian Christians ; next to them are the Papangars or Mardykears, who are emancipated slaves ; the Moors and Arabs. The other classes arc distinguished into the
1697.] THE EMPEROR OF JAPAR. 237
The Company is as it were Absolute in this Island, a great number of petty Sovereigns reigning there under their Protection : Nay, the Emperor of Japar, who is by far the most Potent of any of them, cannot be said to be entire Sovereign of his Country, since the Hollanders have divers Forts and Garrisons in it. As for the Natives of those Provinces that retain their antient Dominion they are so great Slaves that they choose rather to obey the Hollanders, who treat them more courteously and politickly than their own Princes.^
The GeneraP of this Company is in effect King, tho' he has
Javanese, the Baliers, Bougginese or Buggese, Macassars, Amboynese, Boutonneers or INIadurese, ]\Ialays, Sambawaurese, and the Parnakan Chinese ; these last are the most numerous and most useful of all the foreign adventurers settled in Java." (Thorn, /. c, p. 239.)
The entire population of the island of Java was estimated by INIajor Thorn, in 1811 (p. 232), at five millions; of which the European colonists formed comparatively a small number. " The burgher class comprehends what is called the Dutch population at Batavia, but they can hardly be termed Europeans, so completely are they intermixed with the Portuguese and Malay colonists."
" Few of the Batavian women", remarked Thorn, " were Europeans by birth : their features and the contour of their faces may, indeed, indicate that origin, but their complexion, character, and mode of life approach nearest to those of the natives. Though fair, they have none of that rosy tint which distinguishes the sex in Europe ; but a pale, sickly languor overspreads their countenances." {Ihkl.)
1 " The island of Java had been anciently under the power of a single monarch, sometimes styled by the Dutch simply emperor, and at others King of Japara, from whom the Governor of Bantam revolted, assumed the title of king, and was supported in this quality of an independent prince by the Dutch. It was by a dexterous management of these divisions that they maintained their own power ; for whenever the Emperor of Java attempted anything to the prejudice of Batavia, the King of Bantam was sure to take arms ; as, on the other hand, whenever the King of Bantam took the field against them, they never failed to have recourse to the Emperor of Java." {The Modern Part of an Universal History, vol. ix, p. 3.)
2 In orig. : " Le General de cette Compagnie, est un Roi qu'on n'appelle pas Roi. mais General: car Roi est un mot, & General eu est uu autre, coiume Dnr, Doge, Prince, &c. Tout ces llonunesla sont dos
238 THE GOVERXOR-r.ENERAL. [1697.
not that Title. He Governs with more or less Authority, according as the People have conferr'd on him more or less Power, The General of Batavia, King or Viceroy/ or what you please to call him, is chosen by the Company by plurality of Voices, and tho' his Power be subject to be revok'd by his Electors, in like manner as the Emperor of Germany's is, yet he generally enjoys his Office for Life^ :
Chefs qui gouvernent avec plus ou moius d'autorit<?, selon que lea Peuple leur cuont plus ou moinsconfere, ou queles Chefs en ont plusou moius usurpe. Et il y a une difference moins essentielle, dans le fait, entre le Due de Savoye^ par exam^jle, & le Roi de Portugal, qu'il n'y en a entre le Roi de France & le Roi de Pologne, quoique ces deux derniers portent le mC'ine nom de Roi, mais revenons a nos moutons." Evidently this is aji interpolation of ]\Iisson's writing.
The Gouverneur- General van Nederlands Indien at this period was Heer Willem van Outhoorn, whose portrait is engraved in the folios of Valentyn, from the picture in the Great Hall, at Batavia. He was at the head of affairs from 1691 to 1704.
" The authority of the Governor- General is almost unbounded ; and although he is obliged to give cognizance to the Council and consult them on some matters, he possesses a most arbitrary and independent
power in all His Excellency usually resides at his country-seat,
called Weltevreeden, about an hour and a quarter's walk from Batavia, and which is a superb mansion. When the Governor rides out he is always accompanied by some of his horse-guards. An officer and two trumpeters precede his approach, and every person who meets him, and happens to be in a carriage, must stop and step out of it till he has rode by. A company of dragoons always mount guard at Weltevreeden. He has besides some halberdiers, who are employed in carrying messages and commands, and who always are attendant on the Gover- nor's person wherever he goes. They are dressed in short coats of scarlet cloth richly laced with gold, and follow in rank upon the
junior ensign in the Company's service His lady receives the
same honours, and is equally escorted by a party of horse-guards when she rides out." {Stavorhnis, vol. i, p. 278 ct scq.)
1 In orig. : " Viceroi ou si I'on veut Vice-IlepubU<jue T
2 In orig. : " D'un Cote, la Politique raisonable veut qu'il soit revoca- ble ou deposable, de peur qu'il ne s'emancipe selon les demangeaisons ordinaires de ceux qui ont un grand pouvoir : & d'un autre cote aussi, cette meme bonne politique veut qu'on le laisse dans son emploi, aussi longtemps qu'il est possible : parce que commc il ne rend aucun conipte, & qu'il ade grands raoyens de remplir scs coffres, il y a moins d'incon-
1 697-] THE general's state. 239
He has a King's Table and Train. His Coach, which is always drawn by six Horses, is preceded by a Company of Horse-Guards with Trumpets, and follow'd by one of Foot, which are often oblig'd to run. Before and on each side the Halberdiers attend and follow very close, and these Guards are no less spruce and finely set out than the Eoyal Swisses. When I am speaking of Coaches^ I must tell you, by-the-by that altho' they have Horses here in plenty enough, yet their Coach-Horses generally come from Persia : They are smaller than ours, and very strait before, yet of incredible Swiftness and Spirit. The General's Lady's train is not altogether so Magnificent as that of her Husband, yet she has likewise her Halberdiers, and makes a very fine Figure.
Here it would be proper to speak something of the other great Officers, and the different Courts of Justice, but I understand it has been already done, and therefore shall omit it.
Of all Nations that are settled at Batavia the Europeans are the Eichest^ : Coaches are very common, and exceeding fine. The Houses, as well of the City as the Suburbs, and even those in the Country, are at present large and well built, and most of them exceeding finely furnish'd. The Gardens are adorn'd with Canals, Arbours, Parterres, etc., and filled with all sorts of Flowers and the best Fruits of that Country.
venient a n'enrichir qu'un homme, qu'a en enrichir plusieurs," omitted by translator, and evidently another interpolation.
1 " The coaches used at Batavia are small and light. No one is restrained from keeping a carriage, but all are limited with respect to its decoration and painting. These are scrupulously regulated accord- ing to the respective ranks. Glass windows to coaches are alone allowed to the members of the Government, who have also the privilege of painting or gilding their carriage agreeable to their own taste." {Ihid., p. 323.)
'^ In orig. : " & mcme, il y en a qui font, comme on dit, Stores,''' omitted by translator.
240 JAVAX WOMEN. [1697.
In general I may say the "Wonicn^ are extreamly lazy here, for as they enjoy great Plenty, and by a sort of Custom are become more Mistresses than any where else, they mind nothing but tlieir Pleasures, and are moreover so haughty and revengeful that it is dangerous to offend them.
When the Comjjani/ first establish'd themselves here, the Women were so scarce that even the Principal Officers were obliged to marry Indians, which no doubt has been the occasion of the Pride of that Sex in this Country. At present there is great plenty of tliem ; they have multiply'd exceed- ingly, and considering that many arrive frequently from foreign Parts there are more than sufficient for such as require but a moderate use of them. As they not only suffer no Beggars here, but considerably relieve such as fall under any Necessity, the poorest of all the Women has when she goes abroad at least one Slave that carries an Umbrello over her Head? 'Tis the same with the Men, except those that belong to the Troops, and are above the quality of an
1 " Most of the -wliite women who are seen at Batavia are born in the Indies. . . . These are either the offspring of European mothers or Oriental female slaves, who having first been mistresses to Europeans, have afterwards been married to them, and been converted to Christi- anity. . . . Children born in the Indies are nicknamed Uphtps by the Europeans, although both parents may have come from Europe." {Ihiil, p. 315.)
" They are commonly of a listless and lazy temper ; but this ouglit chiefly to be ascribed to their education, and the number of slaves of both sexes that they always have to wait upon them." (P. 317.)
" In common with most of the women in India, they cherish a most excessive jealousy of their husbands and of tlieir female slaves. If they discover the smallest familiarity between them, they set no bounds to their thirst of revenge against these poor bondswomen, who in most cases have not dared to resist the will of their masters for fear of ill treatment." (P. 319.)
2 " When they go out on foot they are attended by a slave who carries a sunshade (called here samhrccl or paijanfj) over their heads ; but who- ever is lower in rank than a junior merchant may not have a slave behind him, but must carry a small sunshade himself." (Stavorinns, /. c, p. 314.)
1697-] CHINESE IN JAVA. 24:1
Ensign. The Soldiers being for the most part Insolent, and the Company desirous that all their Colonies should enjoy an entire Liberty, thought fit to bridle those that carry'd Arms and reduce them to a state of Humility ; so that upon this occasion a Cobler, for example, may have a Slave to carry an Umhrcllo over his Head, whereas an Ensign of the Garrison is not allowed the same Privilege.
The Europeans do not make the hundredth part of the Inhabitants. Next to them the Chincses^ are the Richest, and make the greatest Figure : Altho' the Pictures we have from China, and the Relations are given us of that Country, always represent the Inhabitants Tawny and large Visag'd, with flat Noses, and little Eyes, yet I can assure you I have observ'd no such thing of that People at Batavia, where there are above ten thousand of them setled, and many more that come from time to time occasionally from China to Trade.
Generally speaking, those l*eople are all as white- as the Ewopeans, and have Faces of the same form. This is what
1 " The number of Chinese inhabitants at Batavia alone exceeds (in 1811) a hundred thousand. There were also many dispersed throughout the island, in the interior as well as along the coast. . . . Without thera, indeed, the island of Java would be an unprofitable colony, as in their hands are all the manufactories, distilleries, and potteries. They are also the principal traders, smiths, carpenters, stonemasons, shoe- makers, shopkeepers, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, and, in fact, the whole retail trade of Java is in their hands."
" The Chinese Company at Batavia comprizes the whole of the South- western suburbs, and is very extensive. Every house is a shop, and the streets being constantly crowded, exhibit a constant scene of noise and bustle." (Thorn, I. c, p. 243.)
2 " The Chinese in Java are very fair. They dress in long silk gauze gowns and loose pantaloons, generally white, black, or blue, with cotton stockings and high raised shoes or boots ; a small black cap is fitted to their heads, which are shaven, except on the back part, where is a small tuft, having attached to it an enormous long tail, for which they pay a tax ; so that by this capitation impost, the number of Chinese in the island can be pretty correctly ascertained." ( riiorn, /. c, p. 244.)
li
2i2 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. [l^O?-
I have seen and observ'd a hundred timeSj in spite of my former Prejudice : 'Tm computed there are forty Thousand^ Chineses in the whole Island. They pay a Crown a Head 2>ci' Month as a Tribute to the Comjmny, and those who have a mind to wear one or more Gold Bodkins in their Hair, pay moreover a Crown for each Bodkin, Policy obliges the Comijany to afford them divers Honours, and to grant them great Privileges. They have a Head who has a place in the Council, and a right to Vote, where any Person of their Nation is to be try'd for his Life : And 'tis not without great reason they are thus distinguish'd, since without them, the City of Batavia would not be worth half what it is. They are not less Laborious, Industrious, and adroit^ in Commerce, than ingenious, and of a prudent and peaceable Teuiper. They observe much upright Dealing among them- selves, but play tricks with Strangers, and cheat them without scruple whenever it lies in their way. They Game exceedingly, and do it with so equal a Countenance that you can't tell when they win and when they lose. The good understanding they have with one another, can never be enough commended nor admir'd : They look upon each other as Brothers, and never suffer any Quarrels or Differences that may arise between them to last loug. Mediators soon interpose, and all Matters are quickly reconcil'd. Where any one happens to lose what he has by Shipwreck, or other
1 " The ninnber of the Chinese, Avho live both within and -without the walls of the city, cannot be determined with precision ; but it must be very considerable, as the Company receive a poll-tax from them of more than forty thousand rix dollars. Every Chinese who has a profession is obliged to pay a monthly poll-tax of half a ducatoon" (a ducatoon == six shillings). (Stavorinus, /. r., vol. i, p. 268.)
^ " Like the Jews in Europe, they are very cunning in trade, both in tlie largest dealings and in the most trifling pcdlcry. They are so desirous of money, that a Chinese will run three times from one end of the city to the other, if he have but the prospect of gaining one penny. Jn doing any business with them, the greatest cai'e must be taken, to avoid being cheated." (Stavorinus, I. c, vol. i, p, 268.)
1697.] HOANGTI-XAO. 243
Accident, an Assessment is innnediat^ly laid according to each Man's Ability, in order to restore the unfortunate Person to his former Condition.
The charitable and speedy manner with which these People relieve each other when in Want, insomuch that there is neither a Beggar, nor a dissatisfy'd Person among them, has somewhat so surprizing and astonishing in it, that we must own it is a Eeproach to the greatest part of us Christians. And as the Principles of the C/iinescs concevning this sort of Charity are very near those of Moses} according to whose Laws there was to be no needy Person in Israel, and the same likewise that are establish'd, and so often repeated in the GosikI, I thought I could not any ways disoblige the Eeader if I gave him an Extract of some Sentences out of the Book entituled The Golden Bool', or the Golden Sentenees of Iloawjti-Xao, one of the Lxxii most excellent Disciples.
It is their celebrated Confucius whom they commonly stile the Snge King of Letters, and they say he had lxxii principal Disciples, of which number was Hoangti-Xao?
The Golden Book^ contains Political and Moral Maxims, which having for the most part coherence with one another not unlike that Book of Solomon, wliich it has pleas'd our
1 Deut. XV.
2 "It is true that among the multitude of Confucius's disciples seventy-two are enumerated as 'scholars of extraordinary ability'; but there was no Hoangti-Xao among them. At the earliest periods of Chinese history there are placed two sages, Hoang-ti (b.c. 2697), and Ydo (B.C. 2357) ; and if we were to read after ' disciples', ' and his doctrines were those of Hoang-ti and Yao', the statement would be correct." {J. Legrje.)
3 " The Golden Book and Golden Sentences of Hoangti-Xao are also coinages of Leguat's own. You illustrate the 'sentences' by quota- tions from the writings of Chuang Tsze ; and this has made me think that Hoang-ti Xao maybe misprints for Chuang Tze and Sao ; but then Chuang Tszc and SAo were neither of them disciples of Confucius, but the chief writers of the school antagonistic to his." {J. Lerjcfc.)
\l 2
244 GOLDEN SENTENCES. ['Cq/.
Translators to give the name of Proverbs to, instead of that of Sentences.
As the Emperors of China, as well as the other Eastern Monarchs, have made themselves absolute over their People, from whom they have extorted a kind of Adoration, the Sar/es have sometimes artfully oppos'd so pernicious a Doctrine, and so contrary to Justice and Reason. The Author of these Golden Sentences not only fulminates against Tyrants,^ who imagining themselves form'd of other Matter than the rest of Mankind, look upon them as Eeptiles, whom they may either spare or destroy, but also against all Governors in general, whatever Titles they bear, providing they do not at the hazard of their Lives, if occasion be, maintain, defend, and make their subjects happy. He says, that the first thing a Prince ought to do upon his ascending the Throne, should be to inform himself diligently of the Condition of his People, to the end he may be ready to relieve them upon Necessity. He ranks Generosity, with Prudence and Courage, among the Chiefest Virtues,^ that ought to adorn a
' In the divine classic of Nan-IIua, written by Clmang Tsze, tlie Taoist philosopher, fourth century B.C. : " The men who were princes over the empire in the days of yore remained perfectly inactive, caring for nothing but heavenly virtue. Speaking of nothing but Nature, the princes of the empire were upright. Fulfilling their duties by the aid of Nture, the virtue of both princes and ministers became illustrious.
.... It is by Nature that all created things progress Virtue
embraces Nature ; and Nature embraces Heaven The world was
prosperous in all respects .... the people were settled in tranquillity.'' (The Nan-IIua of Chuang Tsze., Ileuveu and Earth, by F. II. Balfour, p. 135.)
"Chuang Tsze was the contemporary of IMencius. It is towards the trivialities of life that his keen satire is principally directed. He is the hero of the celebrated story in Sir John Davis's work on China, known as the ' Philosopher and his Wife'." {Ibid.., Pref. by F. 11. Balfour, 1881.)
" Chuang Tzii, a most original thinker, whose writings are tabooed aa heterodox, an advanced exponent of the doctrines of Lao Tzu.'' (Giles, Gems of Chinese Literature., p. 19.)
- In orig. : " II met la Lihcraf>l(', avec la Prudence, Sc le Conracjc, au
1697.] MORAL LAWS. 245
generous Breast, inasmuch as the immense Suras which are brought from the Provinces into his Coffers, are only de- posited there, that he may distribute them according to the occasions both of publick and private persons.
" Eemember," says he in one Place, " 0 Xa7itung ! That the chief and fundamental Law of all is, that every one should live, and if possible, live happy. . . .
" Piemember that the Privilege of every Creature which has receiv'd the Gifts of Life from the high and adorable Creator, is, That they should enjoy all that good and wise Nature has produced, that is beneficial for them both above and below the Moon, . . .
" Piemember that the sole great and adorable Power has made every good thing for us all, to sustain and divert every living Soul. . . .
" Why, then, O Xantung ! Hast thou reserv'd Peacocks and Sturgeon for thy self, whilst poor Kcu-Han, a very good man, tho' born of Parents as poor as himself, is sometimes reduc'd to browze on the Mountains with wild Goats ? Is it that you believe that good Venison, good Fruit, and good Fish, were made only for you, and by no means for him ? Why, I beseech you, do not you likewise appropriate to yourself all the Salubrious Air that blesses the Coasts of Honan, to the end the unhappy may not be permitted to breath it, till such time as it has refresh'd the Lobes of your Lungs, by which you seem to desire that these poor People should subsist only upon your Excrements ? And why, again, have not you shut up the fair and vivifying Sun within the Walls of your Park or Palace for your sole use, not suffering the vile Populace, whose Blood is not of the same colour with yours, to have any other Light than the faint glimmerings of a lesser Planet ? I know it, 0 Xantung !
premier rang des vertus de celui qui a etc cleve a V office de Gouverneur ; par le raison que de graudes sommes d'argeiit ne sont aportees de toutes les Provinces, dans les cofrcs de ce Haut-Officier, que pour Ten faire le Distributcui-, selou les besoius publics & particulieis."
246 CHARITY INCULCATED. [1697.
AVhy liast not thou made all these things ? It was because it was altogether out of tliy Power. Tliy long Hands have prov'd too short for tliat Work. Thou seizest bravely all that is within thy reach, and generously leav'st that which is too high for thee to arrive at, . . . Kcu-Han is both hungry and cold ; he has neither Money, Employment, nor Health : All reject him, all abandon him. Tell me, thou that art at the Helm of the Government, Thou whose Duty it is to take care of the Peoj)le, and that art paid for it to boot, why dost not thou, I say, make hast to relieve him ? . . . . Prisons abound with such wretches as he ; both they and their Patliers have been render^l poor and miserable, either by publick or private Tyranny. They suffer, they languish, they faint ; their Wives and their Children are in Despair ; why delay st thou, then, Governor of thy People, to deliver
these afflicted Creatures ? Kcu-Uan, thus reduc'd to
Extremity, yielded to a natural Temptation, rather than die with Hunger ; To free himself from it, he took a Loaf of a Paker, and you have thus rigorously punish'd him for it.^ But you have committed a Double Sin, you who bear the fine Title of Father of your Country. You have not relieved the wretched ready to drop into the Ground, but have us'd him without all Manner of Mercy. . . .
'•Make so good Laws, that nobody may be in danger of perishing with Hunger, and then freely execute severely the
other Laws against all Usurpers But what is this
Hunger and Want ? You know nothing of it, you that roul in Delight and Abundance, and you believe, doubtless, that he alone is miserable who appears to you to be famish'd and starv'd with Cold. You may nevertheless believe likewise that a poor Nourishment not extraordinary good, and the want of Relief in great Necessity, weaken the Poor INlan, sadden his Soul, nmke him cruelly languish, and lead him
,1 "If a man steals some trinket, he suffers death for tlic crime ; but if he steals a kingdom, he becomes a feudal prince." (^lUlfour, op. cil., p. 113.)
1 697-] OPPRESSION REPROBATED. 247
slowly to liis Grave, . . . Wicked Governors ! You are often- times guilty of the Sins of the Poor, as you are the occasion of their Misfortunes. . . }
" There is a necessary Coherence and Dependance between certain Laws. As one is, so you must suppose the other to be, and tliat one cannot subsist unless the other be main- tain'd. Now, the Law which forbids anyone to appropriate to himself what belongs to another Man is founded upon another Law, according to which no Man is to perish by un- happy Poverty. . . ."
" High and Mighty Lords !" says elsewhere this Chinese Philosopher, " inexorable and Fleshly-minded Eobbers ! Ob- stinate and insatiable P)lood-suckers ! High and mighty Thieves that you are, who haughtily seize upon what does not belong to you, but to others ! Or who do not restore that which your Ancestors have usurp'd without Pity or Justice ! By what Law of Nature or Equity, think you, all
belongs to you, and nothing to anybody else ? You are
at present applauded, most illustrious Wretches, and the good Men whom you, or the Villains whose Heirs you are, have robb'd, fall now prostrate to the Ground when you pass by with your gilded Palanquin. But soon your worth- less Souls shall be of no other use than to swell the backs of Toads,- and the poor Man, who is of much greater worth tho' at present oppress'd, shall crusli you to pieces. . . .
" Whether it be that thy Eapins, or those of thy Fathers, have enrich'd thee, 0 Ti-Fa ! (for of a thousand rich Men there is hardly one that is not either wicked himself or an Heir to one that was so), whether it may be thy good Fortune or thy Industry have heap'd on thee Gold and
1 "All this is something like passages in Chuang Tsze's writings ; but I cannot identify Xantung or Keu-Han with any names to be found or likely to bo found in him. Tlie fact is Leguat was writing about what he knew very little about, and wrote therefore loosely and incorrectly." (J. Legge.)
- This indicates a belief in the doctrine of the uictompsychofeis.
248 UXOKIOUS PRODIGALITY. [1697-
Pearls, know that thy Abundance does not belong to thee alone, and that tlie rich Man, he, I mean, that is lawfully so, becomes a Thief when he suffers the poor Man to want. ... Oh, how great is my Concern, when I contemplate that lofty and rich Mountain of Keuanqsi, wdiich fronts the Cell whither I am retir'd! That excellent part of the Terrestrial Globe is all cover'd with fine Pastures, Golden Wheat-Ears, Flax, Ginger, Cedars, and Aromatick Plants, in the middle of wliich the finest and best tasted Birds make their Nests. The pcrfum'd Civet-Cats run about in great numbers, to- gether with the swift wild Goats, and the bounding Eoe- Bucks : Nay, the Entrails of this wonderful Mountain en- rich the West with Eubys, Amethysts, and Saphires. But who is it that is in possession of this fine little World ? Alass ! Three hundred Families that were formerly dis- pers'd throughout it, divided it between them, till the Noble High-way-man, Xao-ti-cao, under pretexts that easily cor- responded with his Rapaciousness, found means, to his Glory be it spoken, to reunite to his ancient Demesns, eighteen or twenty of these poor Inheritances. Ye-vam, his Son, seiz'd upon thirty more, and, in the space of sixty years, the sad Eemains of these three hundred ruin'd, outed, vagabond, and unfortunate Families, saw this Mountain entirely in the possession of Ti-Hohai, who, for reasons of State and Avarice, has svvallow'd up all.^
" What use does the Illustrious Ti-IIohai make of all tliese Ptiches ? He entertains Magnificently his Dogs, his Concubines, and his Friends. He lavislies exceedingly, he is prodigal without Consideration, towards certain Itascals that are continually about him, and all this without hearken- ing to either the cries of the Poor, the just demands of his Creditors, or the wants of good Men. Ti-Hohai has a great Soul ; he hates all sorts of Baseness, and pillages only like a great Lord. . . .
1 " A petty thief is clapped in jail ; a big robber becomes a feudal prince.'' (The Nan Ili'n, op. r'tt.)
i6gy.] A philosopher's retreat. 249
" 0 fertil and delicious Mountain ! My Eyes cannot look towards tliee without shedding Tears. But whither shall I then carry them, these Eyes Avhere you may see \Yonder painted with Grief ? See on the other side the vast and gay Plain of Ocomsiao, of which an agreeable winding of the Eiver Hoang makes a Peninsula, which is likewise the Prey to a most Noble Lord, the Lord Kiumfa, who, altogether opposite to the generous squanderer Ti-Hohai, digs Gold out of the Mines of Sighcm, for no other Eeason but to raise new ones in his Coffers of Iron : See the frightful Carcasses that drag along his old dislocated Chariot. See him himself, with his mean Aspect and frighted Air, as if the pitiless Tartar was ready to seize on his Treasure. The Noble Kiumfa has, in a word, totally possess'd himself within these five years of the excellent Country of Ocomsiao, and the Fatal Executioner has already expos'd divers un- happy Wretches to the Crows, who, having been despoil'd of all they had by the Conqueror, dar'd, in their extream Necessity, to resume but a small Portion of what had been taken from them.
" Shall I mount to the top of Vigean, or transport myself to the forked Brow of Canghehu ? And shall I from thence contemplate the rich Provinces that extend themselves even to the Sea ? But I shall everywhere meet with the like
Couqiiests Thou art too small, 0 universal Earth ! To
satisfie the boundless Desires of one proud Mad-Man. . . .
"The Philosopher Ycmam-Xilin, Temo\'d from cruel and pressing Necessity, would pass a retir'd Life in Tran- quillity, would willingly cultivate some agreeable Garden to breath the fresh Air, under the shade of a Eig-Tree that he liimself had planted, and to hear at certain times the sweet and innocent Notes of the harmonious Nightingale. He would willingly adorn this little Paradise with some borders of Elowers, raise a Hive of Bees there, and turn in some clear Spring that might serve him to bath in, and, in Recom-
250 CHINESE LIBERALITY. [1697.
pence, he would never destroy the Fish that Nature had plac'd there. . . .
" Tir'd with the vanities of the Workl, which he had suthciently experienc'd, and pleas'd with this solitary Grot, lie might go and divert his fatigu'd Imaginations in the different Paths in this little Enclosure, and there repair the loss of his Spirits wasted by Study, and so make himself amends for the Misfortunes of this Life. Full of Contempt for the mad multitude which runs blindly after Chimera's, he might happily enjoy there some new and profitable Ueliuhts. But the Earth is all invaded ; all is seiz'd. The Great are already in possession of it, and there remains no corner for him. He must buy that dear which is shortly to serve him for a Grave. . . ."
Thus the Author of the Golden Sentences, abandoning him- self to the fury of his Thoughts, which are, he says, Oi'acles of Confucius, who delivers himself oftentimes like an Orator of that Country, rather than either a Lawyer or a Politician.
Nay, these Maxims have seem'd to his Country-men so just and well-grounded, that on one hand Terror and Custom, two Terrible Tyrants, has made them Slaves and Idolizers of their Kings ; on the other, the Lessons of their wise Men, which they have well conceiv'd and digested, has inclin'd them to relieve the distress'd, insomuch that there is not a poor Man, as I have already observ'd, to be found amongst them.
To return to what I was saying of the poor Chincscs, I must likewise Piemark, that there are no Beggars neither at Batavia among the Euroiieans. It may be. Emulation, in Conjunction with natural Justice and Policy, has contributed to the establishing of this good Order among the Fortii- f/neses ; for, as for the Hollanders, everyone knows that even in Holland itself, and all the Provinces belonging to that wise and powerful Pepublick, all such as are able to Work are furnish'd with such proper Means that no one can say with Justice that he has been forc'd to beg his Bread.
1697.] DRESS AND ETIQUETTE. 251
The Chincses live very well, and eat neatly, altho' without either Napkin or Table-Cloath : They do not take the Meat between their Fingers, but, as it is serv'd np all cut to pieces, they carry it to their IMouths with two gilded Sticks about five or six Inches long.
They wear long Gowns very light, and for the most part white, with large P.reeches that reach even to their Ancles. They make great account of their Hair, which is exceeding long, and which they always suffer to grow. They wreath it in Tresses, and twist it round behind their Heads, fasten- ing it with Bodkins, as I have before mention'd. I can't remember I've ever seen any fair Hair here ; but it must not be concluded from thence that the People are Tawny, for, if I must repeat it once more, they are generally as fair as we are.
They have little Beards, and esteem them so that they never shave them. Nay, they have no less value for those of others, for if any Person has a mind to run the risque either of his Beard or his Hair, he may wager it against a con- siderable Sum, and being won, it is kept as a precious Treasure by him that won it ; and, on the contrary, he that lost it becomes so infamous that no body cares to deal with him any more. They carry a great Fan in their Hands which they cover their Heads with from time to time, in- stead of an Umbrella, which the Euro}Kans only make use of.
AVhen they Salute one another, they present themselves with their Fists clinch'd, and, afterwards embracing each other, toss up one of their Hands as the People do in England.
They Trade in their Country, and particularly bring from thence Tea and Porcelain. Those among tliem Avhoui I shall call Strangers, that is, who are not as it were Natural- iz'd at Batavia, cannot continue there above six Months. These have their Heads all sliav'd after the new mode of
252 MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. [1697.
their Country, except a Lock wliicli tliey reserve in the middle, and which hangs down behind. The Tartar who at present reigns over this Nation impos'd this Law upon them, being what is practis'd in his Country by his natural Sub- jects, but which serves the Chincses for a badge of Slavery.
These People in general have somewhat Noble and Mag- nificent in them, what-ever they do. When any Chinese betroths himself at Batavia, after the Contract is sign'd, he at Night goes to visit his Mistriss in a Magnificent Chair carry'd by four Men, and preceded by three or four hundred others, either Javans hir'd for tliat purpose, or Negro Slaves, each of them bearing Light at the end of a Stick. 'Tis true this Light or Lanthorn answers little to the Splendor of the rest, being only a Hog's Bladder upon a Pole, with a piece of Wax-Candle in it. The Chair is immediately follow'd by a great Number of that Country Musicians, who make between them a very odd sort of Harmony.
The Priests come after on Horse-back with long Violet- colour'd liobes, and square Bonnets, about which march on all sides before and behind, a great number of the Bride- groom's Friends, who incessantly throw up into the Air Fire-works, wliich represent divers sorts of Animals. The Gallant goes to visit his Mistriss with this Equipage, and returns after the same manner. When they walk together the same Pomp is observ'd, and even when they go to be marry'd, with this difference only, that the Woman is carry'd in such a Chair that she can see whatever is done without being seen her self When the Marriage Ceremony is ended, the Men dine together in Publick, but the Women are in another Chamber by themselves, whither the Men never come. The Tables of both Chambers are so order'd that the two marryM People may sit that Day back to back, a Wall being only between them. At Night the Husband does the honour to his Wife to receive her to his Table, a favour she never afterwards has granted, the Men of this
1(597.] CHINESE women's feet. 253
Nation having that contempt for their Wives tliat they look upon them to be no better than Slaves, they being like other Eastern Nations extreamly jealous.
There were but three Women born in China, at Batavia when I was there, so that the Chinescs were at first oblig'd to marry Javans} but their Families have so encreas'd since that now they have enough Daughters for their Sons : These People are exceedingly addicted to that abominable Sin Sodom. At first they never endeavour'd to conceal it, and when they were indicted for it, they answer'd it was an innocent Action and what was allow'd them ; many of them were nevertheless put to Death for it.
Their Wives and Daughters are Invisible, at least they ai-e never seen, and they never go abroad : I never saw but one during the whole year that I was at Batavia, and that was in a House. The Men keep Javan and Ac^ro Women for Concubines, or make use of them when they meet them, Mdtliout much Ceremony.
As the Smallness of the Women's Feet is one of tlieir greatest Perfections, and which most charms the Men, so soon as born they put them into Iron Moulds whicli hinder their Growth, so that when they go to walk they can hardly keep themselves upon their Legs.^
For six Months from the first day of the year they feast and make merry, keeping a sort of Car naval, which lasts Day and Night. They then run up Theatres on which tlieir young People act a kind of Comedies, for which they have odd Cloaths made on purpose : Their common subjects arc
1 Thorn writes :— " As no woman is allowed to bo exported from China, adventurers from that country intermarry with the Javanese and Malays, or purchase slaves for their concubines and wives " (Z c p. 243.) ' ■ ■'
2 The custom of compressing the feet of female children practised by the Chinese is supposed to have originated in the desire to mark the difference between the nomadic Tartar invaders and the native patriotic, children of the soil. (Cf. Gray, vol. i, p. 233.)
254 FESTIVALS AND BURIALS. [ 1^)97-
the Lives of Histories of Great Men. At Night during this Hepresentation, they pitch Bamboo's, of forty or fifty foot high, before the Houses of tlie most considerable of their Nation, to which they affix Fire-works that cost a great deal and last most part of the Night. This is one of the principal of their Diversions. These People are very Industrious, and have a particular Talent for making these Fire-works. Among other things they very naturally represent by them divers sorts of Animals : Disguis'd as I have told you, they run along the Streets and make these Animals, compos'd of Paper and Wild-fire, fiy. They have a Feast which tlioy celebrate on the Water in Memory of a certain Woman of their Nation, who drown'd her self, and of whom they tell a fine and long Tale. The chiefest Diversion of this Feast consists in the swift Rowing of several light Boats like the GondolcCs at Venice,} Divers of these Boats, equally furnish'd with Pvowers, start at the same time on a certain Signal, and they that arrive first at the Goal obtain the Prize.
The Burials"^ of the Ghineses are perform'd with great Cere- mony. When a sick Person is at the point of Death, all his Friends and Relations gather about him, and ask him frankly
1 Anotlier Venetian allusion, indicating Misson's pen : — " The Dragon Boat Festival, held in memory of ^V at- Yuen, a Minister of State, who flourished about 500 r.c, and who drowned himself. A leading feature of this festival is the races which take place between the different crews of long boats made to resemble dragons." (Cf. China, by Dr. Gray, vol. i, p. 258.)
- "Their burials are the next great pompous exhibitions of the Chinese. These are solemnised agreeably to the rank of the deceased. . . . An immense multitude of Chinese attend on the day of interment, carrying images of men and women, representing the deceased members of the same family, with wax tapers and censers; while a numerous procession of priests, accompanied with musical instruments, precede the corpse, which is carried in a huge coffin, slung on bars, supported on the shoulders of sixteen bearers, in pairs, followed by the relations of tlie deceased, uttering most piercing lamentations. The cemetery of the Chinese extends over a prodigious deal of ground on the south-cast side of Batavia." {Thorn, p. 240.)
1697-] IRISH CATHOLICS. 255
whither he is going, and why he will leave them ? Questions very edifying and much to the purpose ! They tell him he need only acquaint them what he wants, and assure hini very obligingly he shall immediately have all he can ask.
When he has render'd i;p his poor Soul to the mercy of his Creator, they lay his Corps in a bed of State, the Eichest and most Sumptuous they can get. Some time after he is carry'd on the same Bed to be bury'd, upon the shoulders of twelve Men, in such manner that every body may see him : A great number of People march confusedly before and after the Corps. Immediately next to it go the Priests on Horse- back, Habited as I have told you, in long Violet-colour'd liobes, and after them come the hir'd female Mourners cloath'd in White, and walking together under a sort of Linen Tent open a-top. These ]Mourners or Weepers torment themselves incessantly, and at every step almost passionately demand of the deceas'd Person, Why he would so abandon the World ? What he wanted, and why he would not let it be known, since undoubtedly he would have receiv'd satisfaction in all he could ask ?
These Poolish questions surpriz'd me less from the Mouths of these People, than they did from the Irish^ Catholicks,
1 " Of these original Iriah most of the Persons of Quality understand Eiiglhh^ and lead a Life totally nnharhariz d ; but the counnou People are half Savages, and differ very little from their Ancestors as described sixteen or seventeen hundred years ago by Straho, Solinus^ Pomponhis Jlfihi, and the most remote Authors. Their Religion is a kind of Popish-Christian Religion ; but the Superstitions and Fooleries of Popery, which they have adopted, are mix'd with such a Number of other Puerilities, that it is impossible to say justly what the Religion of those People is. . . .
"... When any among them is sick, they never talk to him of any- thing but his Recovery, and never of God or Salvation ; but sometimes the sick Man desires the Communion, and then they look upon it that he despairs of Life : li'rom that INIoment they expose him in a publick Place, or upon a great Road ; they call cvei'y Passenger with loud Crio.s, and each Man puts a luindred impertinent Questions to tlie poor dying Person : They ask him, why he will leave this World, which is so very
256 CHINESE SEPULTURE. [^C^97-
who inhabit a part of Inland, and make much the same ComiDlaints on these Occasions. 'Tis thus the Body is carry'd to the destin'd place of Sepulchre,^ which is very near half a League from Batavia. They bury some pieces of Silver with the Corps, and every day for a year together carry some Viands, and present them at the Tomb of the Deceas'd, with design to do honour and good to him. It would be dangerous to taste these Viands, since oftentimes tliey poyson them, in order to revenge the Attempt of such as should presume to carry them away.- Unriddle who will the Notions of these poor Wretches, who treat their dearest Friends with the same Poyson they prepare for Thieves.
pleasant? In what Country he thinks he shall find better Entertain- ment. If he had not a good and a handsome Wife, fine Children, good Relations, good Cows, good Milk, good Butter, and every Thing that could make Life agreeable to him ? Then they apostrophize his Soul, which they call cruel and ungrateful for leaving so handsome a Body that has charitably found it such a good Lodging for so many Years. . . . ." (]\Iax Misson's Memoirs ; Ozell's translation, op. cit.)
Compare Dubois (1674), Relation de Vhk Dauphine, etc. Of the Cape- Verdrain he writes (pp. 23, 24) : " Quand il meurt quelqu'un d'eux qui a de quoy, ils vont pleurer le mort, & luy demandent pourquoy il les a quittez, & s'il luy manquoit quelque chose, luy font une infinite d'autres discours pareils." (See also Hisioire dcs Auiillcs, p. 612.)
1 " The Chinese allot a separate sepulchre for each corpse, over which is raised a high circular mound of earth, like a crescent, cased with stone, and ornamented according to the wealth and importance of the deceased. To these receptacles of the dust of their ancestors the Chinese pay, as a sacred duty, an annual visit, which mournful ceremony takes place in the month of April. Stages are then erected in various parts for the priests, who deliver from them orations in praise of the dead there deposited ; and the neighbourhood of ancient Jacatra, over which their principal cemetery extends, exhibits an affecting spectacle, of multitudes of people, prostrate before the numerous tombs, which are decorated with flowers, spreading viands and fruits as an offering, and bowing their heads in sorrow to the ground." (Thorn, I. c, p. 24G.)
- Stavoriuus writes (vol. i, p. 272) : — " They visit the graves of their ancestors and relations from time to time. They strew them with odoriferous flowers ; and when they depart, they leave a few small pieces of silk or linen, before the entrance, and sometimes boiled rice, or other victuals; which is speedily made away with at night."
1 697-] CHINESE DEVOTIONS. ' 257
'Tis thus Eeligion, ill understood, oftentimes degenerates into Extravagance. As for the other Presents, I'm well assur'd they poyson them likewise, as well knowing the Motive of Interest frequently prevails over that of Superstition.^ Among their Tombs there are some very large, and finely set off: They have divers Pagodcs at Batavia.'^ At first sight these Temples seem much to resemble the Roman- Catholick Churches.^
You see three sorts of Chapels, Altars, Wax-Tapers, Lamps, Holy-Water, Pictures, Statues and Images of a hundred forms. The Priests too are setoff with Ornaments, not unlike those of the i?o/»rt;i-Catholick Clergy. They wear at their Girdles, or on their Arms, certain Chaplets, whose Beads are not all equal, and which they make use of to count certain Prayers which they repeat machinally. The People have also their Devotions calculated, rather for a Monkey than a God, and wear their strings of little Bullets, in like manner with the Priests.
When these last celebrate they use many Genuflexions, turn to the Ptight, Left, forwards and backwards, one making Invocations, and the other answering him ; The By-standers
1 In orig. : " de la Superstition, quelque violent qu'il soit, de meme que tou3 les autres," omitted by translator,
2 In orig. : " autour de Batavia."
3 "In fact, though these people have temples erected in various parts of the Island of Java and one at Anjole, close to Batavia, the structures seem to be formed more out of comj^liance witli custom than for any- serious purpose, since religious rites are hardly ever observed in them nor is anything like worship practised by the people who built them." (Thorn, I. c, p. 247.)
" An image, with tapers burning before it, representing either a good, or evil genius, or both together sometimes, is placed in every Chinese dwelling. This idol is frequently consulted by dropping two or more sticks before it, and in a variety of other ways, which the Chinese inter- prets according to certain rules, and thus determines the regulation of his trading concerns by lot, not very dissimilar to the divination of the ancients, and the practice still observed by the modern Arabians." (/iiW., p. 247.)
S
258 BOSSUET, BISHOP OF MEAUX. [1697.
seem to afford great Attention. Very often, and especially a Mornings, a Priest walks thro' the Street carrying a little I know not tvliat, over whose Head is born a sort of Canopy, and a great multitude follows this Idol very devoutly. They have likewise very great Processions, in which they carry a sort of Cross, and Standards of divers shapes and colours. These are things which I have often seen.
Furthermore when you ask tlie most Sensible among them what they Worsliip, they answer very well, that they "Worship but one God, no more than the Hollanders ; that the Human Figures you see in the Temples, are only Representations of Men and Women, who have formerly liv'd w^ell, and are now in a state of Happiness ; that the Adoration they pay them is not of the same kind with that they pay to God ; that they honour them only on God^s account, because they are his intimate Friends ; and as for the other Statues of different forms, whereof some seem to Strangers so ridiculous and ill favour'd, it could not be thought that they believ'd them to be any thing but inanimate Matter, however, they affirm'd they represented mysteriously the various Virtues or Attributes, as we speak, of the most high Power which has made the World ; and that these Figures were very proper to captivate the attention of a People, who could not be extraordinarily raov'd at any thing but that they fancy 'd in their Imaginations, and who were accustom'd to call that nothing, which was invisible : That a Hieroglyphick, for Example, with an hundred Arms inspir'd them with an Idea of a great Power, and dispos'd them to the profoundest Acts of Humiliation ; and that it w^as the same of the rest. This brings into my JNIemory the Christian Exposition,^ which the Learned Bisliop
1 Jacques- Beiiigne Bossuet was born at Dijon, 28tli September 1G27. When Bishoj) of Condora, in 1G71, he published his celebrated Exposi- tion de la foi Catholi(/ue, after he had succeeded in reuniting M. de Turenne (the great Turcnne) to the Catholic Church. This book of
l6gy.] FATHER LE COMTE. 259
of Meaux has given us of the Doctrine and Practice of his Eeligion.^ These Idolaters, wlioni I cannot forbear to call by that Name, notwithstanding they pretend to make the best use of their natural Light,"^ confest they pay also some Adoration to the wicked Spirits, not thro' Love, or any other Eespect they have for tliem, but for the same reason that you stroke a surly Dog, that he may not bite you, or that a Man of mean Condition cringes to a great Lord, and that Lord plays the same part over again at Court.
'Tis certainly true, that both in China and elsewhere among the Idolaters, those Persons who have been capable of any Reflection, have always believ'd that there was only one Almighty Sovereign Power, the truly supream and absolute Authority not being liable to Division. But the People in general have not these Ideas.
When these Subaltern Deities have obstinately persisted to refuse those things that were reasonably demanded of them, they have been chastis'd after an exemplary manner. Sometimes their Temples have been ras'd, and their Priests driven away from their Idols. Father Le Comtek displays this so well, that I cannot help making use of his very Words.
the Exposition, writes Father de Baupet (Bishop of Alais) in 1814, has been perhaps the most useful of Bossuet's works, both in the good effect which it has produced and by the general attention which it caused.
1 "I will appeal to all unbyaas'd persons, when once Posterity shall read the History of the Persecution of France, as represented by Maimhourcj, VariUas, the Bishop of Meaux. and others of the same stamp, I say, when they shall read the same in these Authors, whether they would not be apt to imagin that these poor Wretches were used with all imaginable moderation, if it were not manifest by unquestion- able Authority, that these unfortunate Creatures suffer'd all the Cruelties that could be invented by their implacable Enemies." (Max Misson's Voyage to Italy, Letter xxv.)
2 In orig : "malgre les subterfuges de ccux d'entre eux qui font le mcilleur usage de leur lumiere naturelle."
3 Nouvcaitx Me'nwires stu- Vetat present de La Chine, par le P. Loiiis Le Comte, de la Compagnie de Jesus, Matheniaticien du Koy. Tome
s 2
2G0 IDOLS IN DISGRACE. [1697.
" AVlieu the People are tir'd, they Despise, Revile, and eveu Beat their Gods. Dog of a Spirit, say they, as if they were speaking to a bad King, we lodge thee in a Magnificent Temple, thou art well gilt, well fed and incens'd, and yet thou art so ungrateful, as to refuse us the things we ask of thee, and which are even necessary. After this, adds the Father, they bind the treacherous God with Cords, and drag him about the Streets loaded with Dirt and all sorts of Filth, to punish him for his unkind usage of them. If by chance they afterwards obtain what they sought after, then they carry their Idol with great Ceremony back again to his Niche, after having well wash'd and cleans'd him. They prostrate themselves also before him, and make him various Excuses. To speak Truth, say they to him, we were a little too hasty, but were not you likewise in the wrong, to
Second. Troisieme Edition. A Paris, chcz Jean Anisson, Uirecteur de I'Iraprimerie Royale, rue de la Harpe. m.dcci. Avec privilege du Roy,
Lettre X. A Mouseigneur Le Cardinal de Boiiillon. De la Religion ancienne ^' modcrnc des Chinois (p. 127) : —
"II est vray qu'on n'a pas toiijonrs pour ces Dieux tout le respect que semble meriter leur qualite. Car 11 arrive assez souveut qu'apres avoir este bien honorez, si le peuple u'obtient pas d'eux ce qu'il demande, il se lasse eufiu, & les abandonue couinie des Dieux impuissans; d'autres les traitent avec le dernier mepris : les uns les cbargent d'injures, & les autres de coups. Comment, chioi cPrspnt, luy discnt-ils quelquefois, nous tc logeons dans un Temple magnifique, tu es bien dore, bien uourri, bien enceuse, & apres tous ces soins que nous prenons de toy, tu es assez ingrat pour nous refuser ce qui nous est necessaire ?
" Ensuite on le lie avec des cordes, & on le traisne par Icsruiis, charge de bouii & de toutcs sortes d'immondices, pour luy faire payer les pastilles dont on I'avoit auparavant parf ume. Que si durant ce tenips- h\ ils obtiennent, par hasaid, ce qu'ils soubaient ; alors ils rapoitent ridole en cgremonie dans sa niche, apres I'avoir bien lavee & bieu essuyee : ils se prosternent mesme en sa presence, & luy font diverses excuses. A la verite, luy disent-ils, nous nous sonunes un peu trop pressez; niais au fond, n'avez-vous pas tort d'estresi difficile ? Pourquoy vous faire battre a plaisir? Vous en cousteroit-il plus daccordor les choses de bonne grace ? Cependaut ce qui est fait est fait, n'y songeons plus. On vous redorera, pourvCi que vousoubliez tout le passe."
1 697-] EXTERIOR DEVOTION. 261
be so unkind to us ? Why would you suffer your self to be thus us'd, would it not have been better for you to have granted chearf ally what we ask'd ? "
The Ghincscs have a great share of exterior Devotion, some Instances of which I have observ'd. The Butchers bless their Meat before they expose it to Sale, and every one blesses his Victuals, before he puts it into his Mouth. The Master of the House repeats divers Prayers, and reiterates many Genuflections; after which he offers what he has to those that are present. I know this by Experience, and I know likewise, they would take it for an unpardonable Affront, should any one refuse to eat what tliey so offer'd him.
The third sort of Inhabitants of Batavia, (and who might take it ill for not being nam'd the first, were it not that 'tis customary to prefer the Eicli to the Poor,) are the Javatis^ or Natives of the Island. They are Tawny, of moderate Stature, and well shap'd.
They go half-naked, and keep part of their Hair under their Turbants,^ but let fall the rest. I once saw a Javan Prince at Batavia, who went Habited after the Holland Fashion, only he kept his Turbant. Their Huts are made with Bamboos, and cover'd with Leaves, and are for the most part small and
^ The Javanese at Batavia occujiy two Campongs, each under a chief of their own nation, on the right and left of the Great River. They are principally husbandmen, and cultivate the rice-fields in the neighbour- hood ; but some are employed in fishing. The Javanese, who are better featured than the Malays, arc of a light brown colour, muscular and well made. The women also have a more pleasing cast of countenance than the Malay females, and hi some of the hilly tracts they are really beautiful. They generally wear a long black gown, with a cloth wrapped round to serve as a petticoat ; and the men a black cotton frock, with either a cloth tied round the waist or a short pair of drawers. The higher classes are very partial to chintzes, silks, and velvets, which they are fond of embroidering and in Avhich they generally appear on all festivals and public occasions. (Thorn, /. c, pp. 238, 2-10.)
''■ In orig. : '• turban.''
262 DANGEROUS MADMEN. [1697.
ill-built.^ The whole Family lies, if I may so speak, in one Chamber. These People are extreamly sober, and have no Appetite to eat much. They oftentimes content themselves with a little Rice, Fruit, and dry'd Fish, Being Mahometans they use no inebriating Liquors. Tea, or pure water, is their Ordinary Drink : They have the Eeputation of having a great deal of Wit, and being quick of Apprehension. 'Tis said they are exceeding faithful to one another, but Strangers sometimes find they are not the same to them, being possess'd with that wicked and pernicious IMaxim, not to keep Faith with such as they think Hereticks, neither in IJeligious Matters, nor anything else. They are Laborious, and above all, good Fishermen.
They all wear by their Sides, and in Scabl)ards Daggers poyson'd half-way with a most subtil sort of Poyson,^ which some of them know how to temper so, tliat it shall never operate but when, and as often as they please. The most dangerous of these Poysons is the sap of a Tree which grows in the Island of Borneo, The Inhabitants of that Island make use of it to poyson their little Darts, which they shoot out of Trunks.^ The Javans sometimes use a certain Drink to make them furious, and when they are so, they cry incessantly, Amcrci, Amerci, which in their Language signifies. Kill, kill. They then run about like Mad-Men,-* and
1 Both Malays and Javanese dwell in bamboo huts, divided into different apartments, sometimes plaistered with mud, and usually raised two or three feet from the ground. All the villages are surrounded by- topes of cocoa-nut and other favourite fruit trees, encircled round with a thick bamboo hedge, (Thorn, p. 238.)
^ " A sap extracted from the juicy leaves of the Magas or Kiati tree, is held in high estimation, as an effectual cure of wounds made by crisses and spears that have been dipped in a poison composed of the blood of the Gekko and other ingredients." (Thorn, /. c, p. 2 J 3.)
3 In orig. : '■'■ Sarbacanes," i.e., blow-tubes.
* In orig. : " d'une violence effroyable," omitted by translator.
This peculiar frenzy, now commonly known as " running nmiik''\ is not unusual throughout the East Indian Archipelago, and indeed is a
1 697-] MACASSAR AND CELEBES. 263
kill whatever comes in their way with wonderful Address and Agility. To save your Life at that Juncture, there is no better way then to run from them as soon as you see them coming at a distance, but this is in case you are not in a Condition to defend your self.^
These Customs they have in common with the People of Macassar their Neighbours, and those of the Isle of Celebes^ to
characteristic malady among the Malays everywhere. Vincent le Blanc gives a name to the Javanese warriors derived from this source : " Sa principalle force estoit en certains soldats appellez Amocos, c'est a dire determinez & mesprisans leur vie, qui auoient coustume de s'oindre de certains confection ou huile odorant, pour monstrer leur resolution ^ la mort." {Les Voyages dn Sieur Vincent le Blanc, p. 149.)
Sonnerat, also, makes especial mention of the ferocity of the Malays, stating that the captains of ships were prohibited from embarkiug any Malay as a sailor : " On a vu quelquefois de ces hommes atroces, em- barques imprudemment en tres-petit nombre, attaquer, dans le moment qu'on y pensait le moins, un vaisseau, le poignard a la main, et tuer beaucoup d'hommes avant qu'on piit s'en rendre maitre. On a vu des bateaux malais, amies de viugt-cinq a trente hommes, aborder hardi- ment des vaisseaux europeeus de quarante canons, pour s'en emparer et massacrer, avec le poignard, une partie de I'equipage. L'histoire malaise est pleine de traits semblables, qui tous annoncent la ferocite la plus temeraire. Le malais, qui n'est pas serf, est toujours arme ; il rougirait de sortir de sa maisou sans son poignard, qu'il nomme crik. L'iudustrie de la nation s'est surpassee dans la fabrication decet instru- ment destructeur." (Voyages aiix Indcs et a la Chine, vol. iii, p. 363.)
1 In orig. : " en les tuant eux-memes," omitted by translator.
2 " The Buggese, or inhabitants of Celebes, are trained from their childhood to martial exercises ; and they are, in consequence, very dexterous in the use of the spear. The criss, which is constantly worn by them, too often proves the fatal instrument of assassination. Numerous instances are related of their inflamed passions bursting forth in sudden and violent starts ; and sometimes, without the least provocation, they are known to have attacked persons in the public streets, of whom they had not the slightest knowledge, cutting and stabbing them to death, from no other motive, frequently, than to try the metal of their crisses or choppers. An occurrence of this kind was very recently witnessed. While a Buggese was carrying wood through the town of Macassar, a man whom he had never seen stabbed him in passing, with his criss, in the shoulder, without the smallest offence having been given. The person attacked turned instantly Avith his chopper ; and after a
-G4 POISONED wp:apons. [1697.
the East of Java. These last make use likewise of the Crii or Cric, a poyson'd Ponyard^: They make themselves mad in like manner with the Javans, with their Liquid Opium, of which they take a certain Dose to render them dauntless and furious. They haul out Moka, Moica, as the Javans do Amcrci. When they are in this Condition, they think only of killing, or being kill'd themselves. A single Macassar in this furious Humour, would attack a whole Eegiment. They have Iron Corselets, and with their Cric, wear likewise a Sabre and a Zogay : They also shoot Poyson'd Darts^ out of a Trunk. Certain pieces of paper with Magick Characters which they carry
desperate battle, at noon day, in which no person interfered, the aggressor was at length completely cut to pieces." (1 horn, /. r., p. 335.) Major Thorn also cites another recent instance, equally shocking and barbarous, in which an escaped criminal killed upwards of twenty men before he fell under the crisses of his assailants.
^ In orig. : "empoisonne avec des mani^res sui^erstitieuses & dia- boliques."
2 In orig. : " lis souflent aussi de petits dards envenimez avec la Sarbacane."
Poisoned weapons. " Antlaris tox'icarkt of the Siamese countries and Malayan archipelago. The hohun Upas is a large forest-tree, sometimes called " antsjar'\ and the knowledge of its exudation seems implied in the prohibition against poisoned arrows in the Institutes of Manu. Clasping the poison-tree is mentioned by Bhavahlutti. A. toxicaria is known to grow as far as Lat. 19° in the neighbouring portion of Burmah, and its exudation continues to be used by the Karens to poison arrows. Further South, a tree in the Malayan archipelago, according to Jordanus (Col. Yule's edit., Hakluyt Society, vol. xxxi), is said when in flower to kill every man that couieth near it : an account not strictly true, but /I. toxicaria has been shown by Rumphius, ii, pi. 87, L. de la Tour and Blume, to be viruleutly poisonous ; it is known to grow particularly on Java, Baly, and Celebes." (Dr. Charles Pickering, Chronological Ilist. of Plants, p. 422.)
"The Strychios iicule of Java, a climber 120 feet, or upas radja, the bark of whose root yields one of the most dangerous poisons known, acting like nux vomica." (^IbiJ., p. 445.)
The letel palm is the Areca catechu of the INIalay archipelago, said to be the '■'■ petros" of the Erythraean Periplus, and its nuts have, according to Wilkinson, been exhumed from ancient Egyi:)tian tombs. (Pickering, o;j cit.,\). 331.)
1 697-] JAVAN WOMEN. 265
about them, are, they believe, a more powerful Preservative than either their Arms or their Armour.
When I was at Batavia, the Cric was forbidden to the common Javans, and only Officers and other Persons of Dis- tinction had the Privilege to wear it. They were distin- guishable by this Weapon, the Hilt whereof was massy Gold, as likewise by Guards, which the People of Quality were attended by. These were arm'd with Wooden Half-pikes, which they carry'd upright : Princes and Ambassadors have a number of these Guards to wait on them. The Princes, etc., are carry'd on People's shoulders in a sort of Litter cover'd, in the middle of which they sit cross-legg'd like our Taylors.^
The Javan Women, according to common Report, are extraordinary amorous, and what is uncommon, their Passion is no less constant than strong. They frecpiciitly make use of Philtres, which I have been assur'd they administer to their Lovers with Success-: And when they suspect that any of them have been faithless to them, they do not fail to regale them with such a Drug, as quickly sends them to the King- dom of Moles,^ so that it requires a Mans Consideration twice, before he engages with those sorts of Females once. There are a great many who not being so much expos'd to fatigues as the Men, are not near so Tawny, and who might pass even in Europe for Genteel."* They have likewise good Paces, especially the younger sort, according to the notion we have of Beauty. Their pretty swelling Breasts have no conformity
1 In orig. : " dans line espece de brancart convert, an milieu diiquel ils sont assis sur une planclie traversante large d'un bon pied, les jambes croisees comme nos tailleurs."
■-2 In orig. : " d leurs Maris ou a leurs galans afin d'augmentcr & d'assujcttir de plus en plus leur amour."
3 In orig. : " qui le mine peu-a-peu, & qui I'envoyc enfin dans le sombre Pais, que plusicurs appellent aussi bicn que nous, le Royaume des Taupes.''
* In orig. : " qui seroicnt troiivees fort gentilles par les plus delicats de nos Europeans."
266 SUBMISSIVE WIVES. [1697.
with the (langlhig Duggs of the homely Africans near the Cape. Their Complexions are fine and good, tho' a little brownish, their Hands fair, their Air soft, their Eyes sprightly and their Laughing agreeable : To put all together, there are many of them that are perfectly handsom. I have seen some Dance the most charmingly that could be. They go about Streets with a sort of Drummer after their mode, who beats time to their Motions, and after the young Wench has ended her Dance, one gives her something for Encouragement. Another Charm they have is, that they are extreamly neat and cleanly, their Ileligion obliging them to wash themselves all over several times a Day, and their Custom being, as I have already observ'd, to clear their Skins of all that hinders them from being extreamly soft and smooth. After all this, I know not whether Java may not pass for a gallant Country.^
But after I have commended these jolly AYomen so mucli, I can't help adding to their Disadvantage, that if all I heard be true, they are not extraordinary faithful to their Husbands^; nevertheless, they seem extreamly Submissive. They lie groveling along upon the Ground while their Husbands sit, especially if there be any Strangers there, (for it may be inferr'd from all I have said, they do not conceal themselves like the Chineses, or other Mahometans of Turkey, Persia, and elsewhere) : But generally speaking, these couchant Postures signifie little to their Honesty, and are of no more Significa- tion, than your most humble Servant at the end of a Letter.
These Women go in their Hair, and have for Habit a short Wastcoat with little Sleeves lac'd before, which sits close without joining, and being cut sloping a-top, discovers great
1 In orig. ; " je ne sais si apres tout cela il est necessaire de dire que risle de Java n'est pas ua pais 011 la galanterie soit inconnue: I'amour y regne, finement niOiiie, & violumment."
2 In orig. : " n'ayent pour leurs Maris, la fidelitu qu'cUcs veulont qu'ils ayeiit pour elles."
i6gy.] DRESS of women. 267
part of their Breasts. Under this Corselet, which hardly reaches to their Hipps, they wrap their Bodies in a sort of Scarf of divers Colours, which serves them for a Petticoat, and which being light and thin, requires two or three folds to keep them warm. This covers them to their Ancles, but as they wear no Smocks, there is always a List of brownish Flesh (which it may be, would not be better if it were alto- gether white) seen between the bottom of the AVastcoat, and the upper part of the Scarf.^ This covering fitting close to their Bodies, displays the bad shapes of some of them, as it does the good of otliers, which last has, I know not what bewitching effect. The richest of Women wear Slippers, which perhaps may be a mark of Distinction, because few wear them, tho' they cost but little.
When these Women marry any Hollanders, or other Chris- tians, they are likewise oblig'd to espouse the Christian Eeligion.^ God only knows what sort of Christianity that is,
1 In orig. ; " Cette enveloppe les bride devaut & derriere, aux environs de ce qui est au dessous de la ceinture, & fait un peu trop voir la forme du corps a celles qui I'ont mal bati ; mais a quelque chose de drOle, dans les jolies tailles."
*' Their dress is very light and airy ; they have a piece of cotton cloth ■wrapped round the body, and fastened under the arms, next to the skin ; over it they wear a shift, a jacket, and a chintz petticoat ; which is all covered by a long gown or Kubay, as it is called, which hangs loose ; the sleeves come down to the wrists, where they are fastened close with six or seven little gold or diamond buttons. . . . They all go with their heads uucovered ; the hair, which is perfectly black, is worn in a wreath, fastened with gold and diamond hair-jaius, which they call a Conde ; in the front, and on the sides of the head, it is .stroked smooth, and rendered shining by being anointed with cocoa-nut-oil." (Stavori- nus, I. c, p. 323.)
2 Thorn says that "the professed religion of the INIalays and Javanese is Mohamedanism, but mixed with many superstitions. They seem indeed to be so very careless of its rites that it would be difficult from common observation to ascertain the nature of their faith and worship." (Op. cit., p. 239.)
Wilcocke states that the Cheik Ibn Molana, an Arabian, came to Java in 1-406, but that Mahomedanism had, according to Valentyn,
208 JAVAX MARRIAGES. [1697.
for from the third and foiirtli Generation, the Children that are born of these Marria^t,^e.s, always go after the Javan ]\Iode. It is these sorts of Converts^ that generally fill the Malay Church before mention'd : The number of Converts^ is much less, in that the Men have not the same Motives for Con- version. The Christian Women^ being but very few for the Christians themselves, the Javans, can get none of them, let them be as much Converts as they please, whereas the scarcity of that Sex oftentimes occasions the Christian j\Ien to matcli with the Javan Women.
The Marriages between the Javan Men and Women, are concluded with few or no Ceremonies, in like manner as their Burials are. They call themselves of the Sect of Tommi, and despise the other Maliomdans, altho' they are all of the same Sentiments concerning the principal Articles of their Belief.'^
Before we leave the Island of Java, I will observe some Bavticulars concerning it, slightly touch'd by tlie fomous Lodivoco Vcrtomanni,'' of whom I have formerly spoken. In my Opinion, exact and faithful Travellers ought not only to
been iutroduced previously. The tomb of this Cheik at Cheriboii, with the mosque belonging to it, are magnificent monuments, to wliich pilgrimages have been performed during four centuries. (Cf. Stavorinns, vol. iii, p. 372.)
1 " Converties," i e., female converts.
- " Convertis,'' i.e., male converts.
3 " Les filles Chretiennes."
•* In orig. : " Chose dont personne ne se doit pas plus ctonner que de voir le Christianisme divise comme il I'estjbieu qu'il soit tres-vrai que tons conviennent aussi de I'Essentiel, ou dcs Points Fondainentaux, comme on parle. De sorte que tons feroient une nienie profession publique, si la pedanterie, & le prejuge n'en empechoient pas : & si, au lieu de tordre I'Ecriture, & de broder, comme on fait, Tancicn Symbole, en I'etendant meme a droit & h, gauche connne a I'infini ; on s'en tenoit, sagement & humblement, aux purs & simples termes de la Revelation proprement dite, dans toutes les choses, que Ton recounoit unauime- ment etre mysterieuses, comme dans les autres." The whole of this paragraph is omitted by the translator.
* In orig. : " Louis Vertomaimi.'' (Cf. Trarcls of Lialorico dl ]'ar- Ihima, Hakluyt edit., 1864.)
1 697-] ABSENCE OF EMEKALDS. 269
relate new things, but to undeceive the Readers in the Errors relating to old. Vertomanni says of Java, " 'Tis an Island in the East where very fine Emeralds are found,"^ yet 1 that liv'd a whole year there, could never hear of any such thing, tho' I made never so much Enquiry. Ikit I'll oppose Tavernier to Vertomanni : " Tis an ancient Error," says Monsieur Tavernier, " that a great many People have believ'd that Emeralds were found originally in the East. The greatest part of Jewellers, as soon as they view a high- colour'd Emerald, are accustom'd to cry, see an oriental Emerald ! But they are deceiv'd, for I am as certain as can be, that neither the Terra-firma, nor any of the Islands of the East ever produc'd any. I have made a strict Enquiry", said he, " after this, in all my Voyages."
There can be nothing more positive,and Monsieur Tavernier, an Author mean enough in other Eespects, ought certainly to be hearken'd to wdien he talks about precious Stones which he dealt in : He that had made six Voyages by Land to the Grand Indies, and had visited the whole East for so many years, even to decrepit old Age.
Vertomanni adds with some Assurance, that the Island Java has Mines of Gold, and when he speaks of the pre- tended Anthropo2^hagi that inhabit it, he tells you exactly what Diodorus Siculus, Mela, Solimcs^ and I know not how many other Authors have related of divers other Countries, viz., that they carry their old and sick People to the Market to sell, and deliver them from their Infirmities by eating them. A very odd sort of Food !
As I have never seen elsewhere so fine Negro Men and
' " Emeralds, though said to be Oriental, are not found in any Part of the Eastern Continent, but are brought from Peru to the Philippine Islands, and so transported into Europe.'' (Tavernier, Ilarr'is'sVutjages, vol. ii, p. 374.)
^ Vide ante, p. 255. Misson never tires of dragging in quotations from these old Latin authors, a method apparently deprecated by Leguat himself.
270 ALBINOS OR CHACRELATS. [1697.
Women as at Batavia, I am apt to imagine, for I forgot to inform my self of it, that they do not bring all those Slaves from the Coasts of Guinea, where they have all large flat Noses, and thick Lips ; but however it be, I met at Batavia, divers very pretty i\^c^ro- Women, with Faces much like ours of Europe, large brilliant Eyes, wonderful white Teeth, fine Shapes, beautiful and soft Breasts, as were likewise all the other parts of their Bodies, tho' black as Jett. If one would but consider that this Complexion is, in a manner, un- alterable, not being subject to any of those Palenesses, Eednesses. Freckles, and the like disadvantages which the White Women continually undergo ; and if we moreover remember that the Black Colour has its Lustre and Value, as well as any other, we must cease to wonder at their Tast who love a fine i\^(?^?'o- Woman as much, or rather more than a White one.
There are so few Moors in this Island, altho' they have a Quarter assign'd them at Batavia, that it is hardly worth speaking any more of them, than of private Persons of other Nations who come to Traffick there, or to accompany Ambassadors.
I have been very sorry for forgetting to inform my self particularly of tlie People^ call'd Ghacrclats at Batavia, of whom I have seen several, both Men and Women. They are white and fair, but what is most Remarkable in them, is that their Eyes cannot endure the Light, and they always see best a-nights, so that they turn Night into Day, and Day into Night. I have often met of them trudging along with their Eyes almost shut,^ because they were not able to look on the Light.
After having continu'd near a year at Batavia, we departed from thence with the Holland Fleet,^ consisting of seventeen
1 In orig. : " la Nation."
2 In orig. : " qiioique vers le soir," omitted by translator.
3 "The homeward-bound Dutch East India Company's ships were
i6gy.] PEACE OF ryswick. 271
Ships, Novemhcr 28, 1697. We caiiie before Bantam'^ the 30th, and tarry'd there to the 6th of the following ]\Ionth. We were eleven days in passing the Streights of Suiult^ which Seamen call the Channel. Sometimes one is above a Month in this Passage, by reason of the great inconstancy of the Winds, altho' tliis Streight be not more than 36 Leagnes thro'.3
Nothing Piemarkable happen'd to us till we came to the Cape of Good Hope, unless that in our way we learnt from a Dutch Sliip that was going to Batavia, that the Peace of Reswick^ was concluded and sign'd. As soon as the Fleet
divided at Batavia into two fleets, one of which generally left India towards the end of the year, the other some months afterwards ; and some days before the departure of each a single shijD sailed for Europe whicli was called the voorzfUder, or forerunner. Except in war-time their ships seldom sailed together, though they usually made iheiv rendez- vous at the Cape of Good Hope." (Note by S. H. Wilcocke, translator of Admiral Stavorimi^ Voyages; op. cif., i. p. 170.)
1 Bantam Bay is about two leagues and a half S E. from St. "Nicholas Point, which is fifty miles west of Batavia. The bay is extensive, and contains several islands, of which Pulo Panjaug is the largest. For- merly Bantam was a fine port, but it was monopolised by the Dutch in 16<S3, when Fort Spielwyk was erected. The natives continued bitter enemies of the Dutch until 1742, when they were completely subdued. (Cf. Thorn, I. c, p. 262.) Stavorinus writes that ships passing out through the Straits of Sunda often anchor in the bay of Anjer to take their last supply of fresh water. {Op. cit., vol. i, p. 207.)
2 The Strait of Sunda.
3 The Strait of Sunda is sixty miles in width at its western entrance between Flat Cape, the S.W. extremity of Sumatra, and the noble Java Head, the western extremity of Java, but the main strait is narrowed by Princes Island on the south side, the N.W. point of which is fifty-one miles from Flat Cape. (Findlay, op. cit., p. 1228.)
The Strait of Sunda is subject to the N.W. monsoon and outside the limits of the south-east trade wind during November, which accounts for the delay experienced by the Dutch at this season. Stavorinus states that the current through the strait changed its course twice in twenty-four hours, independent of the wind. (Cf. op. cit.. vol. i, p. 207.)
■* In orig. : " que la paix avoit t'te conclue & signce h Riswik." The peace of Ryswick concluded the wars of the League of Augs-
272 A BLACK SOUTH-EASTEH. [1697.
had understood this News, the Cannons began to roar out our Joy, Doles were distributed to all the Ships Crews, and all the Seamen embrac'd, as if they had not seen one another for many years. Healths went briskly round, and in a word, nothing was wanted that could contribute to our Eejoycing : But withal, we could not help thinking that this Peace would not last long. Tlie next day we arriv'd in sight of the Cape,^ and about Noon approach'd tlie little Isle Rohhcn, which lies at the entrance into the Gulph.
"We then saw appear upon one of the Neighbouring Mountains call'd the Devils Mount, a certain Mist- which Avas an infallible forerunner of furious Winds, that very much incommode Vessels even in the Bay, and our Captain fore-seeing what was like to ensue, immediately gave out his Orders concerning it. But hardly were matters got ready, before we were oblig'd to drop Anchor to prevent our being forc'd out to Sea.
The Winds blew after that furious manner, that our Cables were not able to resist them, but broke like so many Threads. There was hardly one Vessel but lost one of its Anchors, and several lost three. Four of the hindermost Ships were driven out again to Sea, and the Vice-Admiral among them. This last, who had some private Reasons for not being extraordinary well satisfy'd, made use of this Pretence of the Wind, to sail directly for *S'^. Helena^: The other Ships
bourg (1688-1697), when Louis XIV acknowledged "Williiuu 111 as King of England,
1 " In their return to Holland they [the Dutch Company's ships] always make some stay at the Cape, as well to take in refreshment?, as to be informed of the Company's orders that may concern any of the passengers on board; some of wliom perhaps are ordered back, that their conduct may be examined in the Indies ; and to receive the news of the state of things in Europe, as, by the way, they carry gazettes, or news papers, home with them." (Universal History, Modern, I. c, vol. ix, p. 132.)
- A peculiar nimbus-tinted canopy of cloud, which foretells the south-east gale. {Findlaij, p. '212.)
^ In orig. : " & en repartit pour continuer sa route sans nous attcndre," omitted by translator.
1698.] CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 273
rejoyn'd us some few days after before Isle Rohhcn} At length the Wind being appeas'd, and becoming favourable, we Anchor'd in the Bay the 12th of February 1698. Next day we went a-shoar, and every one provided himself with such Eefreshment as the time would permit him to get.
Since we are happily arriv'd once more at the Gape of Good Hope, I'll keep the promise I formerly made, and add some Particulars to what I have before said.^
The Point of the Cape, which is, as every one knows, in the 35th Degree of Southern Latitude, advances a great way into the Sea. The violent Stoims^ that reign there are so terrible, that the most skilful Mariners are at a loss how to manage them, so that the Bay which seems to be fine, is render'd disagreeable by these Tempests. The Sea-Winds drive in such prodigious Surges,-^ that no Cables hardly are able to oppose them.
The last Fleet had a sad experience of this, losing many of its Ships, and if the Tempest had lasted but half an hour longer, 'tis probable not one would have escap'd, since those few that did ride it out, did it by the good hold of their last Anchor.^
1 Kobhen, or Seal Island, five miles N. by E. from the Green Point, at the west side of the entrance to Table Bay. An infirmary for lepers and lunatics is situated on the south-east part of the island, which has recently been described in Blackwood's Magazine for September 1889.
2 Vide supra, p. 33.
3 " II s'y eleve aussi souvent de furieux tourbillons, qui se precipitent du sommet des montagnes & du milieu des nues avec tant de fracas, qu'on diroit que le ciel va s'abimer & la mer rompre ses bornes & inonder toute la terre. 11 n'est par sur pour les vaisseaux de tenter I'abordage de cette cote, tant que cet orage dure." (Dapper's Africa^ French edition, 1686, p. 383.)
* In orig. : '' avec taut d'impetuosite,'' omitted by translator.
6 "In the afternoon of the 24th May 1697, the Company's home- ward bound ships Waddingsveen and Oosterland, with valuable cargoes on board, were driven ashore at Salt River mouth in a great gale, and were dashed to pieces at once. Two other ships, out of a large fleet that was lyicg in the bay, narrowly escaped the same fate. Only seventeen
T
274 TABLE BAY. [1698.
This Bay seems to penetrate far into the Laud, and is about three Leagues long, and two broad. Isle Rohhcii lies on the Larboard, or left side of the Ship. It is very flat, and about two Leagues about.
I say Bohhen, and not Robin, as it is written by the greatest part of our French Travellers and Geographers, who not understanding the Word, have chang'd the Sence and Orthography of it, as I could prove by a great many Examples. When the French Avrite Robin, they imagin, I suppose, tliis Island had its Name from some Robert, whereof Robin is the Nick-name, but this is grosly erroneous. The Isle was in truth so call'd from certain Fish nam'd in Flemish, Robben. They are a sort of Sea-Dogs, found in great abundance about this Island.^
The Fort is on the other side of the Bay to tlie Right, and almost South-Eastward of this little Island : It lies behind some Hills,^ so that you cannot see it till you are got a good way into the Bay. It does not command all of it, as many have unadvisedly Written. It is a regular Pentagon fac'd with Stone, and without any Ditches or Outworks. 'Tis well pointed with Artillery, and has 500 Men in Gar- men in all were saved from the two wrecks." (Theal's History of Smith Africa, vol. ii, p. 12.)
1 Vide suj>7-a, p. 29. In French edition of Dajiper's Africa (pp. 382-90) " Rohben Eilani" is translated Vile des Lapins, i.e., Rabbit Island : an obvious mistake.
This island is thus described in 1771, when still under the Dutch : "Before the bay lies a small and low island, of something more than three quarters of a league in circumference, called llohhen, or Seal island. It is a barren and rocky spot, interspersed with patches of sandy ground. It serves as a place of exile, or confinement, for criminals sent hither either from the Indies or the Cape. These are obliged to labour for several hours every day, in the service of the Company, chiefly in hewing and transporting of lime-stone, which is afterwards carried by small vessels to the Cape, and is used in the construction of houses, and other works ; they are allowed the necessary provisions by the Company." (Stavorinus, I. c., p. 536.)
2 In orig. : " II est couvert par une hauteur."
1698.] CAPE TOWN. 275
rison. In it the Governor and all the Ofi&cers of the Com- pany live.^
About seven or eight hundred Paces from the Fort, and near the Sea, there is a little Town with about 300 Houses in it. The Streets are strait, and drawn by Line ; the Houses are built with white Stones, and at a distance it promises much more than you find when you come near, nevertlieless it has wherewithal to content any body, and you observe the Holland neatness enough in it. There are a great many Inns which furnish what Provisions you have occasion for.
Hard by is the Company s principal Garden^: It is about 1,500 Paces long, and 250 broad, but to deal ingenuously, I did not find it so Magnificent, as I have seen it describ'd, 'Tis true, you see there most charming Walks of Orange and Citron-Trees of all kinds, which reach to the end. It is also furnish'd with Pear-Trees, Apple-Trees, Pomgranate-Trees, Fig-Trees, Peach-Trees, Quince-Trees, and all other Fruit- Trees, as well European as Indian ; but all these grow low without being Dwarfs, yet they thrive as well as one could
1 HeiT Simon vau der Stel was the Gomerncur en ExlraonUnaar Raud at the Cape at this date {oide supra, p. 32) ; and Olof Berg was the MiUtaire Hoofd, in command of the troops, with Jan Baptista Duber- tinoas his Lieutenant. (Valentyn, 1. c, p. 41.)
2 " One of the most beautiful things here in Table Bay, which must be mentioned, is the incomparable garden of the East India Company. All that the ancients wrote about the gardens of the Hesperides with its pure golden apples, of the gardens of Alcinous, of Adonis, of Epicurus, the hanging gardens of Babel, about those of Lueullus, Sallust, Cicero, and others, all their wonderful descriptions of these can hardly approach, in the slightest degree, the matchless gardens at the Cape." (Valentyn, /. c, p. 17.) The botanist, Oldenland, who was superintendent of the gardens when Leguat visited the Cape, had formed an extensive collection of native and exotic plants which deserved higher praise than Leguat was disposed to accord. Valentyn who was a clergyman, called at the Cape in 1685, 1695, 1705, and 1714. He has given an admirable description of the Cape Colony in his great work on the Dutch Colonies. (Cf. Cape Quartcrli/ Review, vol. i p. 411.)
t2
276 CONST ANTIA. [1698.
expect. A certain part of this Garden has been assign'd for Muscat- Vines, which bear good and fair Grapes.
It has likewise in great abundance almost all our sorts of Herbs, Pulse, Flowers and other Plants. It is water'd by divers Rivulets whicli fall from certain Places in the Mountains, and are distributed into several artificial Canals. All about this Garden there are a great many thick Trees, which tho' they defend it tolerably from the Wind,^ yet they cannot absolutely do it, which is the reason that things don't thrive there wonderfully well. The Trees themselves do not also grow so kindly as in other Places.
A little farther on the Declivity of the Mountain, you see here and there many Houses surrounded with Vines, Gardens and Groves, which together have a very agreeable effect on the Eye.
The CompauT/ has another Garden about a League off, which lies in a better Soil, and is more shelter'd from bad Winds. You have there long Walks of Oaks, as far as your Eye can well reach, and a large Wood of young Trees of the same kind rais'd from Acorns. One day they may likewise make use of these Trees for Houses and Ships. At present there are Trees fit for the Carpenter only, in a Forest about two Leagues from the Fort.
The Governor has a pleasant House call'd Constantia,^ about two Leagues from the Cape. Here he lives the greatest part of the year, not only on account of the Air, which is Excellent, the fine Prospect, and the admirable Soil, but also by reason of the great quantity of Game which are there- abouts. Hunting being the greatest and most profitable Diversion of this Country.
1 In orig.: " a l'(5preuve de ces coups de vent dont j'ai parle."
2 In 1699, Governor van der Stel retired to his farm, Constantia, ■where he had built a large and handsome residence, and devoted himself to agriculture and cattle rearing. Practically he had the whole peninsula as a cattle-run, and the wine which he made was the best in the colony. (Cf. Theal's Ilisionj. I. (•., p. 14.)
1698.] DKAKENSTEIN. 277
Ten Leagues from tlie Gape up in the Country, there is a Colony call'd Dragitestain} It consists of about 300 Souls as well Hollanders as French Protestants, which last fled from France upon revoking the Fdict of Nantz.
This Colony extends eight or ten Leagues about, because the Soil not being equally good everywhere, they were fain to cultivate those spots tliey found to be good, and which occasion'd them to scatter themselves abroad. The Earth produces here without much Labour, Wlieat and other Corn, which yields from thirty to sixty for one. As every Grain shoots up a great many Stalks, they sow here very thin ; the Harvest is in the Month of January.
The Vine bears Grapes two years after it has been Planted, and that in great abundance without Cultivating, insomuch that in some Places a thousand foot of Vineyard will yield six Hogs-heads of Wine. To speak Truth the Wine is none of the best, being apt to be Green, which pro- ceeds partly from the Peoples not giving themselves the trouble to chuse such Plants as are most agreeable to the Soil and Climate, and partly in that they are not accustom'd to support the Branches with a Vine-Prop. They are like- Avise wanting in not leafing the Vines well, for as the Soil is Ptich, they shoot forth Wood and Leaves in such great abundance, that the Sun is not able to penetrate to the Grapes, and this Conjecture is the better grounded, in that I my self have frequently seen and eaten Grapes here, that
1 The first party of Huguenots left the Netherlands in July 1688, and arrived in Table Bay in January 1689. Shortly after, the refugees were located at Drakeustein and Fransche Hoek, near Stellcnboscb. They were without goods or money, and the board of deacons at Batavia sent £1,200 to be distributed amongst them. Among the names of those receiving assistance is that of Isaac Taillefer, with wife and four children, who is mentioned by Leguat. These families inter- married with the Dutch. The number of Huguenots in the colony is stated to have been at this time one hundred and fifty-five souls. In French edition of Leguat it is " trois mille personnes." (Vide Cape (luarlcrbj Review, vol. i, pp. 395, 398.)
278 COUNTRY PRODUCE. [1698.
liave been incomparably better when exposed to the Sun, than those that hiy hid under the Leaves.^
They have their Vintage ahoiit the end of Fchriiar)/ : To this Article I must add, since the occasion presents for it, that the Company buys all the Wine at the rate of twenty Crowns the Lcrjrc'^ which contains about a thousand Mingles, only furnishing the Cask, so that there is none sold out but what comes from them, as is the practice at Genoa? The First Offence against this Law is punish'd with a Fine of a hundred Crowns, the Second with Whipping, and the Third with Banishment : This makes the Wine very dear. It is worth twenty Som the Mlnyle, which is near the Paris Pint, and Ewjlish Quart. You have likewise in this Country Ananas, Water and Land-Melons, Pulse and all sorts of Eoots, so that the Inhabitants would have nothing to com- plain of, were they not incommoded with tliose bad Winds before-mentioned.
They have in this Country a prodigious number of Deer, many Oxen, Sheep, Eoe-Bucks, and Apes. There are also Elephants, Rhinoceros's, Elks, Lions, Tigres, Leopards, Wild- Boars, Antilopes, Porcupines, Horses, Asses, Dogs, and Wild- Cats. But the most fierce of these Animals retire into the Country, so soon as the Countrymen begin to till the Ground. The Lions and Tigres are boldest in coming to search for Prey near the Habitations.
1 In orig. : '• On peut ce me semble juger que ce defaut de maturitc dans un pais fort pres du Soleil, ou on ne connoit ni neige ni glace, doit etre cause par les raisons que j'ai dites," omitted by translator.
2 The Dutch Jifiger of wine contains 4 aanis, or 126 1-lUth imperial gallons. (Theal, op. cit., Pref.)
3 " The Traffick of Genoua consists chiefly in Velvets, Points, Gloves, dry Confections, A nchovies, and divers sorts of Fruits, but is much d,ecay'd in Trade ; for tho' some private persons are exceeding rich, ye^i t)ie generality is poor ; the Government monoiDolisos the Trade of Wine and Corn, so thixt the Tavern and Innkeepers must buy their Wines out of the Cellar of the State, and the Bakers fetch their Corn from the publick Granaries." (Misson, Voyage to Itali/, Letter xxxii, written from Genoa, 1688.)
1698.] FABULOUS ANIMALS. 279
As for the Unicorn^ there is no such sort of Beast. The old and most curious Inhabitants of the Gape, are well satisfy'd with it, and he that made Omar's Commentaries was a Lyar, as well as the rest. The Ehinoceros is the true four- footed Unicorn, for there are Fish, Birds, and some Insects, that have likewise but one Horn. I could heartily wish to have seen one of these Ehinoceros's, by reason of the many Fables that are told of that Beast, as well as of the Crocodiles, and a hundred other Animals. My Friends that had seen of them, laugh'd at all the Figures the Painters gave of them, and which arehere^ subjoin'd for Curiosities sake. Certainly nothing can be more Comical, than so many pretended Embossings; all which however is fabulous. The true Rhinoceros has a Hide like to that of an Elephant, and the older he is, the more wrinkled he will be : It is the same with us in that Eespect. We may very w^ell affirm that the Rhinoceros has but one Horn, in spite of all the fabulous Relations of those we call Naturalists : This Horn is at the extremity of the Nose. He has a sort of Hair in his Tail that is black, as large as a great Knitting-Needle, and harder than
1 Unicorns' horns. " There are three or four pretended Unicorn's Horns in this Cabinet (that of Manfredi Settala, at Milan) ; for tho' it be beyond dispute that they are properly no more than the teeth of a certain Fish found in the Northern Seas, yet here, as well as in the Venetian Treasury, and other places where they are preserved, they retain still tlie Opinion, that they grow on the Head of that imaginary four-legg'd terrestrial Creature. There are also some Fossil Horns exactly like those that grow on Fishes, tho' of a very different matter." (Max. Misson, Letter xxxi.)
"■ Est bos cervi ligura, cujus a media froute inter aures unum coruu exsistit excclsius, magisque directum his, quaj nobis nota sunt cornibus. Ab ejus summo sicut palmte rami quam late diffunduntur. Eadem est fseminte marisque natura, eadem forma magnitude cornuum." {De Bella Gallico, lib. vi, cap. 26.)
- The figures of the rhinoceros given in the original illustration which accompanies the text are taken from an illustration used by Father Tachard, before quoted (/. c, small edition, p. 82 ; large edition, p. 104), which is exaggerated in Leguat's reproduction, and from other contemporaneous works.
280 GAME AND OXEN. [1698.
Whale-bone. I'll say nothing of Camelions which are common in this Country, unless that it is not true that they live without eatiuf», which we vulgarly call living upon the Air. They live upon Flies, and such like little Creatures.
The ordinary Game here are Partridges,^ both Red, Grey, and "White, and very large and fat Pheasants, Woodcock and Turtle-Doves. On these for the most part the Inhabi- tants Subsist. The New-Comers to the Colony are forbid to kill any of their Cattle, till they have paid a certain Duty to the Company.
The Oxen are of three kinds, all pretty large, and very swift. One sort have a bunch upon their Backs, another have their Horns hanging down, and a third sort have theirs extreamly elevated, and as fine as I have seen in South- Britain about London,
Some years before I came to the Cape, a Lion^ of mon- strous size had leap'd over into a wall'd Enclosure near the Fort, and having strangled an Ox, carry'd him almost whole over the same Wall to the Tahle IMountain ; I say almost whole, because I dare not affirm it was entirely so, tho' I have every body's word for it. Next day they went to hunt
1 Governor Wilhem Adriaan van der Stel sucoessfuUy acclimatised partridges and pheasants in Robben Island soon after Leguat left. (Cf. Theal, /. c, p. 30.)
' With respect to the great strength of the lion there can be no doubt. Livingstone writes : " The immense masses of muscle around its jaws, shoulders, and forearms, proclaim tremendous force. They would seem, however, to be inferior in power to those of the Indian tiger. Most of those feats of strength that I have seen performed by lions, such as the taking away of an ox, were not carrying, but dragging or trailing the carcase along the ground ; they have sprung on some occasions on to the hind quarters of a horse, but no one has ever seen them on the withers of a giraffe. They do not mount on the hind quarters of an eland even, but try to tear him down with their claws. Messrs. Oswell and Vardon once saw three lions endeavouring to drag down a buffalo, and they were unable to do so for a time, though he was then mortally wounded by a two-ounce ball." (Livingstone, Travels in South Africa, p. Iu9.)
1698.] LIONS AND TIGERS. 281
this famous Beast, and having laid a Snare for him, he was taken and kill'd. I have seen his Skin, which was nail'd against a Board as one enters the Fort. There is kept the Skin of another Lion who was found dead, having four Porcupine's quills sticking on it ; and of a wild Horse that was kill'd in the Woods. He had no Tail, and was spotted like a Leopard.^
The Tigres of this Country are very small, whereas they are exceeding large in the Island of Java. The Dogs who tho' never so strong and numerous, dare not pursue a Lion, hunt boldly these little Tigres. When these Beasts can get into any Park, they strangle abundance of Deer,^ but only suck their Blood, unless they are exceeding hungry.
The Company gives twenty Crowns to any one that kills a Lion, and ten to him that kills a Tigre, which has occasion'd many Stratagems to be invented for taking those Beasts.^ For Example one is, That they tie a piece of Flesh
1 " On entering the fortress through the Castle- gate (where there every now and then a couple of lion's skins hang up), one comes upon a large courtyard." (Valentyn, /. c, p. 14.) Valentyn also states : " Captain Olof Berg has told nie that he once shot a lion right through the heart, which lion, however, lived several hours afterwards, and dragged itself from two to four hundred paces from the spot and then died. The gentleman followed its track in order to cut it up. Its fat is a splendid curative, and its flesh, like that of other wild animals (tigers, leopards, etc.), is said to taste nice. In the gate of the Fort there hangs the skin of a huge lion with five quills of a porcupine stuck through it." {Ibid., I. c, p. 113.)
" In May 1694 a burgher at Drakenstein was killed by a leopard, and another at Stellenbosch was nearly torn to pieces by a lion. On one day in the following mouth nine cows were killed by lions in sight of the castle. The premium for killing a lion in Cape peninsula was £5 4s. 2d. As late as 1702 an elephant was killed just beyond the Cape fiats." (Theal, History of South Africa, vol. ii, p. 7.)
=* In French text: " Moutous."
3 "A tax was levied by the Dutch Company under the denomination of lion and tiger-money ; this tax was paid by eacli burgher, at the rate of four rix-dollars for lion, and two gildei-s for tiger-money ; out of this fund, at the time when the colony began to extend itself, and
282 • FKEXCII PROTESTANTS. [1698.
to tlie muzzle of a Gun with a brass Wire, and the other end being f\isten'd to the Trigg, as soon as the Beast seizes the Bait the Gun goes of, and either kills or wounds him.
Bread here is not worth a Penny a pound, although the Bakers are oblig'd to buy all the Corn of the Company in like manner as they are their Wine, their Beef, tlieir Mutton, and their Tobacco. The Comimny for three Crowns gives tlie Inhabitants a measure of Corn, that weighs a hundred and four-score Pounds. The Price of Beef and Mutton is setled at two pence a Pouud,^ and Tobacco at forty Pence. Soap is sold at eighteen pence a Pound, and Aqua-vitce at a hundred Pence the Mingle. Beer is exceeding cheap.
The Slaves, all Negrds, are worth between three-score and four-score Crowns a Head, according to the Age and Con- dition of the Beast. The Crown is worth eight Skilling as in Holland, and the Skilling six Sous. The Pound is of sixteen Ounces. The least piece of Money at the Cajjc is a Sous, as at Batavia.
The Colony I have been speaking of, which is about ten Leagues from the Cape, has been frequently augmented, and is almost every day, by a considerable number of French Protestants. The Company maintains a Minister and Reader for them, and affords them every day some fresh Tokens of their Eespect.'^
when the colonists were much infested by wild beasts, a certain pre- mium was paid to every one who killed or caught any of these animals. At first, government paid sixteen rix-dollars for a lion and ten gilders for a tiger, after which the sum was diminished to ten rix-dollars for a lion's and six gilders for a tiger's skin. But when these animals were so far extirpated that seldom any were to be seen, the premium was discontinued, excepting in case they were brought alive to the Cape, which is hardly practicable. But the tax remained in force, and assumed the nature of a permanent impost." (Wilcocke, Stavor'uins' Voyage, iii, p. 400.)
' By 17U, the price of meat had risen to ;>{(/. a pound. (Theal, /. c, p. 74.)
" The Rev. Pierre Simond (of Dauphim''), minister of the Refugee
1698.] PSALMS OF MAROT AND BEZA. 283
I was told, if I remember well, while I was with those good People, that the Pastor of this Church,^ a very honest and sensible Man, was making a new Translation^ of the Psalms in Verse, or at least correcting, to the best of his Power, that of Marot and Beza^ to render those sacred Pages more intelligible, than they were in this Jargon which is now become Piidiculous, Barbarous and Scan- dalous.'*
Congregation at Zierickzee (in the Netherlands), was engaged by the Company, at a salary of seven pounds ten shillings a month, to proceed to the Cape. He sailed, with Anna de Beront his wife, from IMiddle- burg, in 1G88, for Table Bay, where he arrived four months afterwards with a party of French emigrants. The refugees were located at Drakenstein, Frausche Hoek, and Stellenbosch. {Cape Q. Eeview, i, p. 393.)
1 The Rev. Predikant Petrm Smonszoon (as the Dutch called him) was a man of determined will, who was justly regarded by his flock as a fit guide and counsellor in secular as well as in religious matters. A quantity of his correspondence is still in existence at the Cape. He gloried in having suffered for his faith, and for those of his own religion there was no sacrifice which he was not capable of making. (Ihid.)
2 " The Rev. Mr. Simond had prepared a new version in metre of the psalms of David, which he was desirous of submitting to a synod of the French churches, as great interest had been taken in the work by the Huguenots in Europe. He, therefore, tendered his resignation, to the regret of the Drakenstein people, and requested permission to return to the Netherlands. The Assembly of Seventeen consented to his request, on condition of his remaining until the arrival of the Rev. Hendrik Bek, who reached the Cape in 1702." (Theal, Hist, of S. Africa^ I. c, p. 25.)
3 Psalmorum Davidis et alioruin Proplwtamm anjiiin. et paraph., par Theodor Beza, Londinura, 1580.
''The Psalms of INIarot and Beza were", says a writer in the Edin- bar(jh Puvifiv, "recited by martyrs in the midst of torments; they were the battle-cry of the Huguenots atCourtras ; they solaced the wounded Coligny at INloncontour ; they were the ' Marseillaise' of the Camisards; they maintained the courage of the ' Forjats de la Foi' in the living- death of the galleys." (Vide Edinlmnjh Pu'vicii\ vol. clxxi, p. 391.)
■• In orig. : " C'est une chose ctonnantc & deplorable, pour ne pas dire absurde, & crimiuclle, ^\\\o\\ ait tardc si long- temps ;\ mettre en exccu-
284 DUTCH IMMIGRATION. [1698.
AVhen our poor Brethren of the Cape had form'd a design in Holland to go and settle in that Country, they had a considerable Sum given them for their Encouragement,^ were
tion le dessein forme en Fratue, dans les derniers temps, de substituer enfin une Traduction projDre h, odifier, au jargon ancien, dcvenu ridicule, barbare, & scandaleux. La U(?cessite de cette Reformation est si grande, & si pali3able, qu'il faut, pour ne la pas voir, & pour u'y pas coder, ou le travers d'esprit le plus effroyable, ou quelque secrete raison d'orgueil, ou quelque vilaiu motif d'iuteret, ou je ne sai quoi d'incom- prehensible.''
The necessity of a new translation of the Canticles is pointed out by the author of the Voyage Litteraire, p. 54 : — " Je trouvai ce jour-lJi, au sortir du Convent des Barnabites. un Livre dont j'ai promis de parler a la page 21. C'est du Contre-Poison desb'2 Chansons de Clement Marot & faulsemeut intitulees par lui Psalmes de David, faict & compost de plusieurs bonnes Doctrines & Sentences preservatives d'Heresie, par Artus Desire (Paris, 1561). N'avoit-il pas Raison de decrier les Pseaumes traduits par Marot, puisqu'il etoit Athee et Manicheen? II le prouve avant que de versifier. Marot a nie la Providence, en disant :
' Car I'Eternel les Justes connoit bien, Et est soigneux de leur faire du Bien, Pourtaut auront qu'il n'a ne Soiug ne Cure Des Mal-vivans.' Au lieu de dire au Pseaume viii — Tii las fait moindre un pttit que les Anges, se Malheureux diet :
' Tu I'as faict tel, que plus il ne lui reste Fors estre Dieu.' Done, fault conclurre par ces Mots que N6tre-Seigneur Jesus Christ n'est point Dieu."
* Captain Symson, in his relation of his voyage to East India in the year 1701-2, aboard the Macklesficld frigate, writes of the Cape : — " I do not remember in other Travellers to have found what meaus the Dutch use to people the lands about their Fort with Europeans, and therefore will add these few following lines. Such as desire to settle there are allowed their Transportation from Holland (jrat'is. At their arrival they are allowed to range and view the Country ; and having pitch'd upon some place that is not cultivated, they may take to them- selves as much of it as they are able to stock or manage for the main- tenance of themselves and families ; and all the Land they can so possess and improve is intailed on them and their Heirs without paying any Rent or Acknowledgement for the same to the Dutch East India Cottipauy, or any other person whatsoever. When any are unable to
1698.] HOTTENTOTS. 285
transported thither without any Charge, and upon their Arrival had as much Land assigned them as they could Manure. They were likewise furnished with Husbandry Tools, Victuals and Cloaths, without being obliged to pay any yearly Tribute or Interest, till such time as they should be in a condition to reimburse their Benefactors. There was also a considerable Collection made for them at Batavia} which Sum was remitted to them proportionably to their Occasions. They took up their Provisions on the prices before mentioned, which are highly reasonable considering the Place : Besides it was a very advantageous thing for them that Slaves were not dear. Moreover, they have considerable services done them by the Natives of that Province, whom the Hollanders call Hottentots, because they often hear them pronounce that word. For the same reason the Spaniards gave the name of Peru to that part of the World which they had invaded.^
stock their Land the Dutch Governor gives them Credit, 'till such time as they are able to repay him. Notwithstanding this Encouragement, they have a great hardship upon them, -which is that they must sell their goods to the Governor, and at his price ; so that he runs away with most of the profit arising by their Labour and Industry : for the Governor buys at very low rates and sells to the ships that come in as dear as he pleases ; and no man can sell anything to strangers without the Council's leave. Abundance of the Planters are French Refugees who have penetrated almost 100 miles up the country." (^ New Voyage to the East Indies, hj Capt. William Symson, 1715, p. 217.)
1 Shortly after the Huguenot Refugees arrived in South Africa the board of deacons of Batavia sent a sum of money equal to twelve hundred English sovereigns to be distributed among them, according to their needs. The money was distributed in April 1690, and a copy of the list of distribution is in the archives of the Hague. It forms almost a complete list of the Huguenots who settled in South Africa at this period. (Ca2:ie Quarterly Revieiv, April 1882.)
'^ •' In orig. : " Et il y a beaucoup d'apparence que ce fut de la meme maniere que le pain celeste que Dieu donna autrefois a son Peuple fut appelle Maii, ou Manne (Exod. xvi, 17), soit dit en passant," omitted by translator. " L'on a eu dc coustume ordinairement en ces descouuertures du nouueau monde, de donner nom aiix terres & ports de mer, selon I'occa-
286 SUCCESSFUL COLONISTS. [1698.
Our Refugees niadc the Hottentots work in their Harvests, Vintages, and whatever else they please, for a little Bread or Tobacco. As they have leave to Hunt, their Victuals cost them little or nothing. Hardly any thing is scarce among them but Wood, and that is of no great Consequence, because the Climate being Hot, they have only occasion for it for the Kitchin. For the same reason they are put to no great expense for Cloaths, the slightest and meanest Stuffs being good enough. They buy, moreover, a great many things at very cheap rates of the Sailors, who touch at the Cajte from all quarters of the "World. 'Tis true, to sell their Commodities they must carry them to the Cape, whicli as I have already told you, is about ten Leagues from the Colony ; but this Inconvenience is not over great, because the way is good and their Oxen will easily travel it in a day.
Every one must easily conceive there are no beginnings without Difficulties, and our honest Countrymen did not meet with a few at first, but then they were charitably reliev'd, as I have already observ'd, and at length God was pleas'd so to bless their Labours, that they are at present perfectly at ease, nay, some of them are become very Kich.
In some parts of the Cape the Landskips are wonderful fine, especially where our new Inhabitants were settled, and tlie Air is admirably good. Fine and large Iiivulets con- tribute to the fertility of the Soil, which furnishes Wine in abundance, with all sorts of Corn. The little Hills are cover'd with Vines, expos'd to the best Sun, and shelter'd
Bion qui se presentoit alors de l'arriu(?e, & croy quo le noin du Peru a este aiusi trouu^, & mis en vsage : car nous teuons icy que le nom a este donne a toute ceste terre du Peru, a cause d'vn fleuue ainsi appell^ jmr les naturcls du jiais, auquel les Espagnols arriucront quand ils firent la premiere descouucrtc. Et de la nous disons que les mcsmes Indiens naturels du Peru ignorent, & ne se seruent aucunement de ce nom & appellation, pour signifier leur terre.'' (Iliistoire Natvrelle et Morale dcs JiidcK, par Joseph Acosta, 1G16, liv. i, p. 25.)
1698.] ISAAC TAILLEFER. 287
from the bad Winds. Spring-water flows at the foot of these Hills, and waters in its conrse the Gardens and Orchards, which are fill'd with all sorts of Fruits, Herbs, and Pulse, as well European as Indian.
One of the Refugees, named I'aillefer} a very honest and ingenious Man, and curious above all things in these Par- ticulars, has a Garden which may very well pass for fine. Nothing there is wanting, and all is in so good order, and so neat, that it may very well pass for Charming. He has likewise a great Yard very well fill'd, and a large quantity of Oxen, Sheep and Horses, which, according to the Custom of the Country, feed all the year without-doors, and find so great plenty of Nourishment, that they have no occasion for Winter-fodder. This generous Man receives and regales all those that are so happy as to come to see him. He has the best Wine in the Country, and which is not unlike our small Wines of Chauipaf/nc.
All this consider'd, 'tis certain the Cape is an extra- ordinary Refuge for the poor French Protestants. They there peaceably enjoy their Happiness and live in good Correspondence with the Hollanders, who, as every one knows, are of a frank and down-right Humour.
The Cafrc Hottentots are extreamly ugly and loathsom, if one may give the name of Men to such Animals. They go in Companies, live in Holes or vile Cottages, and have no other care than to rear and feed their Cattle, of which tho' they have great Numbers, yet as I have been credibly as- sur'd, they will kill none for their Use, but eat such as generally die of Diseases. They are extreamly Lazy, and had rather undergo almost Famine, than apply themselves to any Labour, contenting themselves with what Nature has produc'd of her self They set great store by a Pioot tliat
1 Isaac Taillefer's name is second in the list of distribution before mentioned (p. 284), and, witb his wife and four children, was allotted 720 gulden of Indian currency (each equal U. id. English).
288 SAVAGE MANNERS. [1698.
resembles our Skirrets.^ They roast it, and oftentimes make it into Past, which is their Bread, and somewhat like our Chesnut. They eat raw Flesli and Fish, finding tliem, it seems, better, and more savoury so, than when they are boil'd or fry'd : Nay, they trouble tlie Kitchin so little, that when they find a dead Beast they immediately embowel him, sweet or stinking, and having press'd the Guts a little between their Fingers, they eat the remaining Tripe with the greatest Appetite that can be.
These People are almost all of that Stature which we call midling. Their Noses are flat, their Eyes round, their Mouths wide, their Ears the same, and their Foreheads low. They have very little Beard, and that whicli they have is black and woolly. Their Hair is extreamly frizled. They are not born very Tawny, but they quickly besmear them- selves so with Soot and Grease, or some sort of Oil, that they become black as Jet, upon which they lay themselves on their Backs expos'd to the Sun, that the Colour may better penetrate and dry in. This Embellishment renders them so noisom, especially when it is hot, that one cannot come near them without being ready to Vomit.
In Summer they go all naked, except that part which the Men put into a Case made on purpose for it, and which hangs to a thong of Leather that is ty'd about their Eeins. In Winter they generally cover their Shoulders with a Sheep Skin. They never wear anything upon tlieir Heads. Their Hair is all frizled, greasie, and powder'd with Dust, and, moreover, matted together in Tufts, to each of which hangs a piece of Glass, or some small bit of Copper or other Metal. They pass thro' the lower part of their Ears, which are broad and large, a round Stick of the length of an Inch, and much thicker than one's Thumb. About this Larding-pin they
1 Skirret = Siiim sisarum, the " siser" of Varro and Columella, a plant abundantly cultivated in Europe at the present day. ( Vide Pickering, Physical Hist, of Man, p. 397.)
1698.] MYSTERIOUS CEREMONIES. 289
hang Shells and such like Toys as they weai- in their Hair, which, as you may imagine, occasions a pretty Jingling, such as their Horses likewise make with the same Materials. Strange that these sordid Creatures that live like Hogs should have any notion of Ornaments ! Tn truth they have no Religion, yet I have been told they have certain mys- terious Ceremonies, which seem to denote their having some Idea of a sovereign Being. I have many times seen them dance and clap their Hands, looking towards the Moon,^ which I know they salute at certain Seasons, from her Nevj to her Wane. It seem'd to be a ]<ind of Worship they pay'd that Planet. However, it might be only a simple demonstration of Joy, on account of the Light that it brought them.
Some take for a sort of Circumcision what the Mothers do to their iSTew-born Males, whose right Testicle they always tear away with their Teeth and eat it, but I ratlier think they do so to render those Children more nimble and proper for Hunting. However it be, this is the general practice of the Hottentots^ at the Cajje. After these bar- barous Mothers have thus maimVl their poor Children, they
1 "When the New ]\Ioou begins first to be discerned, they commonly in great Companies, turn themselves towards it, and spend the whole night in great joy, with Dancing, Singing, and Claj^ping of Hands." (Ogilby, I.e., p. 595.)
2 Leguat's account of the Hottentots seems to follow very closely that published by Ur. O. Dapper in Dutch, in 1668, and followed by Ogilby in his English Atlas, vol. i, jx 591 : — "Their food consists generally of onely a sort of round roots of the bigness of Tiirnijis, digg'd out of the Rivers ai)d other places, and then boyl'd or roasted to eat. They kill no great Cattel, but such as either by sickness, lameness or age are unfit to follow the Herd; nor any Sheep except at a Wedding. They are utterly ignorant in all sorts .of Cookery, and therefore fall upon dead Cattel like Dogs, eating it with Guts and Intrails, the Dung only thrust out ; ajid when they can find no defunct Beast, they look out dead Fish on the Shore ; as also Snails, Caterpillars, and Muscles." (Cf. Dapper, French edition, p. 387.)
An illustration is given in the original of a Hottentot man, in his
U
'200 IXCKNTIVE TO AVORK. [1698.
give them Sea-water to drink, and put Tobacco in tlioir Mouths, believing these two things, in conjunction witli what was before done, would render them so robust and supple, tliat they might overtake a Roe-Buck in his full Course.
For all this nastiness they are made use of by the Christians of these Parts, and so for a bit of Bread or Tobacco, may be made to work a whole Day. But then care must be taken of two things. First, rather to promise than threaten them, and by no means to abridge their Liberty^; and Secondly, not to give them any thing to eat till after their Work is done, this same Liberty which they are so fond of always enclining them to live at ease, and Necessity being the only Spur that pushes them on to work.
These vile Huts which I have before spoken of, are low and almost round. They are compos'd of Earth, Branches,
suEinier dress, holding a skirret-root iu one hand and the liind-quarter of an antelope in the other. Th^ leaf and fruit of a plant in the fore- ground is adapted from the Danaidcr figured by Rochefort. (/ii.s\ Nat. des Iks Antilles, p. 225.)
"In kindness and fidelity towards their Neighbors, they shame the Dutch, and all the other Europeans, because whatsoever one hath, they ■willingly and readily impart it to others, be it little or much."
" The People which dwell about and near the Cape of Good Hope are of a middle Stature, Slouch-body'd, and uncomely of Person ; of a Tawny colour, like Mulletto's. . . . The Hair of their Heads in general
resembles Lambs Wool, short and Curl'd They pull all the
Hair out of their Chins, and daub their Faces with Black, and then anoint them with Grease and Tallow, and thereby seem as if they never were washed. Those which dwell close by the Cape on the Shore, and come to the NetJicrlandcrs Ships, presently run to the Cook, Kettle, or Pottage-pot, and anoint themselves with the Soot thereof, which tlicy esteem a Princely Ornament." (Ogilby, /. c., pp. 589, 590.)
1 In orig. : "car lis ne soufriroient, disent-ils, jamais ces sortes de subordinations inutiles qui au lieu de servir a maintenir la justice & la paix dans la Societe (c3 qui est le vrai & ancien but de ccux qui ont etabli les Dignitez & les Charges publiqucs) y autorisent en quelque niaui^re la tyrannie & le brigandage," omitted l)y translator.
1698.] BONDS OF MARraAGE. 291
Leaves, and so ill built, that the Eain never fiiils to pour in on all sides. Their Fire is in the middle, and they lie all about higledy pigledy in the Ashes. I will not affirm that the two Sexes are always chast there, but 'tis certain these Barbarians, as barbarous as they are, profess not only to confine themselves within the Bonds of Marriage, but also to punish Adultery severely. They cudgel all those to Death, that have been taken in the Fact, as they likewise do Thieves and Assassins. I have read somewhere, that they cut oft' one Joint of the little Fingers^ of their Women, when they offer'd to remarry, and so continu'd to do Joint by Joint where they marry'd several Husbands ; but Persons worthy of Credit, that had liv'd among them divers years, assur'd me the thing was somewhat otherwise, for that they cut oft' only one Joint of the Women's little Fingers when they first marry'd, and which was done in token of their Subjection. The Men may take several Women, but for the most part they have but one, especially about the Gape. The Wives have somewhat yet more ugly and more forbidding Phyz's than their Husbands, for over and above that they are to the full as black and nasty as they, they have moreover the loathsom Custom to wear several rounds of raw Guts about their Necks and Legs in lieu of Necklaces and Garters, which being green and cor- rupted, stink abominably.^
They wear likewise Cockle shells, and bits of Coral and
1 " AVhen a Man or \yoman dies, all the Frieuds to the third degree of Consanguinity miipt, by an ancient custom, cut off the little Finger of their left Hand, to be bury'd with the Dead in the Grave ; but if the Deceased liad in his Life any Cattel, and leaves some Relations to whom they might come by Inheritance, ihey must cut off a Joynt from each little Finger before they can take the Cattel ; for the Sick cannot give away the least thing on his Death-bed, from those to whom it falls by inheritance." (Ogilby, /. r., p. 693.)
^ " Many of them wear as an Ornament, the Guts of Beasts, fresh and stinking, drawn two or three times one through another, about their Necks, and tlie like about their legs." (Ogilby, /. c. }). 591.)
U 2
292 STUANGE MADNESS. [1698.
(llass fasten'd to tlu-iv Hair and Fingers, and lart^fe Ivory Kings about their Elbows.
Ikit wliat is yet more frightful, is their Necks ; they seem to have two long, half-dry'd, and half-fill'd Hoggs Bladders hanging at them. These nasty Dugs, whose Flesh is black, wrinkled and rough as Shagreen, come down as low as their Navels, and have Filleniot^ Teats as large as those of a Cow. In truth these swinging Udders have this commodious in iliem, that you may lead a Woman by them to the Right or Left, forwards or backwards as you please. For the most part they throw them behind their Shoulders to suckle their (,'hild, who is slung upon their Backs. Notwithstanding all tliis, the vanity of these ugly Witches is incredible. They fancy themselves the finest Women in the World, and look on us from top to bottom with their Hands to their Sides disdainfully. 'Tis said, they are of a strange Temper, and tliat at certain times have a Madness come upon tliem, during which they emit as strong a Vapour from their Pxjdies, as those of a Hind in Season. They wear a sort of Petticoat which covers them from their Wasts to their Knees, which however is not necessary, since certain Skins hanging from their upper parts like Furbelo's are suHicient to do that Office. Some have told me they had the Curiosity to look under these Veils, and an end of Tobacco procur'd them that Liberty. ^
1 In orig. : " un bout fcuille-morte."
2 In orig. : "chose qui ne leur feroit pas nrcessaire, pour couvrir, ce que des peaux pendantes en Falbala, de la partie superieure, di-roberoient Ahsez a la viio des passans. Plusiours m'oiit (lit qu'ils out oCi la curiosite de voir ces voiles, & qu'on peut satisfaire ainsi scs yenx pour un boutde tabac."
M. Leguat gives an engraving representing a Hottentot woman without her petticoat, in which the so-called taldier is most conspicuous. Ill the background is figured a papaye tree, undoubtedly copied from 1). 1P)9 of Kochefort's book on the Antilles, from which so many other representations of plants have been borrowed.
M. de Pages, who visited the Cape in 1773, remarks: — "Des
1698.] CATTLE TKADE. 293
Men do not intermix with Women abroad ; each Sex has its Affairs apart, and go in diiTerent Companies. They neither knew what Gold or Silver was, or had any notion of Money till the arrival of the Hollanders at the Cape. Their Humanity towards one anotlier, yields in nothing to that of the Chincses. They mutually assist each other in their Necessities, to that degree that they may properly be said to have nothing of their own^ : Their Address in darting their Zagayc is singular. This is a sort of Half-pike, arni'd at the end with somewliat that is hard and pointed. They are so exact when they throw this Pike, that they will do it within the compass of a Crown. 'Tis with this they dart Fish, so that they never want any Edible of that kind.
The Company has so considerable a Trade witli them, that they have almost all their Cattle from them. They bring great numbers of Oxen and Sheep to the Cape, and the Company gives for each, as much roll'd Tobacco of the big- ness of one's Thumb, as will reach from the Beasts Forehead, to the root of his Tail, or else they have for each Beast a certain measure of Aqua-vitm, such as they agree upon. This Commerce is rigorously forbid to the new Inhabitants,
personues que je ne pouvois soup^ouuer do ii'etre point iustruites, m'out assure la fausset^ du tablier que I'on prete anx femmes Hottentotes." {Voijckjcs autourdu Monde, ii, p. 2b.)
M. Sonucrat, who landed at Cape Town subsequently (1774-81), also agrees with M. de Pages in this respect : — " Lo tablier fabuleux qu'on prete a leurs fenimes, et qu'on dit leur avoir ete donne par la nature, n'a point de realite ; il est vrai, qu'on aper^oit dans ccrtaiiies line excroissance des nyniphes qui quelquefois pend de six pouces, niais c'est un phenomeue particulier, dont on ne pent pas faire une rfegle geuerale." (Voi/atjc anx Judcn, vol. iii, p. oil).) In a subse- quent note, MM. Peron and Lesueur are (juoted as observing in a memoir read at the Institute of France that the tahUer is found throughout the African tribes to the north of the great Karoo and the mountains of Suewberg ; and controverting the opinions of Levaillant and Barrow on the subject.
' In orig. : " Et effectivement, la lumiere naturelle dcvroit porter k'S honnnes a en user ainsi," omitted by translator.
294 KNOWLEDGE OF SIMPLES. [1698.
who are not allowed to purchase any Cattel of the Hottentots in any manner whatsoever, under tlie penalty of 50 Sous' for the first Offence, 200 for the Second, and being whipp'd and banish'd for the third.2 The Company sells every Ox again for 25 Florins, and every Sheep for seven, in a manner that without much burdening the Buyer, or running any Risque, tliey make great Profit.
However ignorant, or rather how bestial soever the Hottentots are, they know something of Simples, and make use of them with Success. Let one be bit with any venomous Creature, be one Wounded or Ulcerated, or let there be any Swelling of Inflammation, they know how to go exactly to the Plant that will cure theui, and administer the Eemedy with greater Success than we oftentimes do ours. The Sick that have been brought a-shoar at the Gcqye have often experienced this, and those Wounds that very skilful Surgeons have given over, have in a short time been cur'd by these People. The most ordinary way is to pound the Herbs, and apply them to the Wound, but the Patient swallows likewise divers Juices press'd out of the same Herbs.
Neither this Nation, nor any of the others of the Southern Point of Africa, are absolutely witliout Government. They have even hereditary Chiefs, who may reasonably be call'd Kings, because they wear a sort of Crowns as I have been often inform'd by a curious Traveller,^ who penetrated two hundred Leagues up into the Country. But altho' these Chiefs may liave a general Eight to inspect the conduct of the I'eople, they seldom make use of it but in time of War,
' In orig. : "ecus," i.e., crowns or rix dollars. {Vale mpra, p. 154.) 2 Ever since 1658 trade between the burghers and the Hottentots was
strictly forbidden, and on the 19th October 1C97, four months before
Leguat'a visit, (rovernor Van der Stel had is.sued a wwve jildcaul on the
subject. (Cf. 'i'heal, /. c, p. 20.)
^ Possibly Captain Willeni Padt, who had been employed in reducing
to order the Chainoiuiua and Ilessequa tribes. ( Vide Theal, /. c, p. 4.)
1698.] HOTTENTOT WARS. 295
and then too not always. The Inhabitants scatter'd here and tliere, form to themselves certain sorts of little Kepublicks. where they observe Customs that have in time become Laws. I have already told you, they punish severely wilful Murther, Adultery and Theft. T]iey have divers other usages founded upon natural Equity, which they make use of for conserva- tion of their Kind, and the liepublick.
The Covvpany for the most part has a good understanding with these different Nations ; 1)ut as there are some of them that have Wars with the Hottentots, Neighbours to the Cape, so the HoUanders, whose Interest it is to protect tliem, think themselves oftentimes oblig'd to declare on their side.
As we touch'd at the Gape tlie first time we saw a Detach- ment of thirty or forty Dutch Soldiers, who had been sent by the Governor against five or si.x Thousand Hottentots, return iVom that Expedition.^ Thiiy had been a hundred Leagues up in the Country, and had defeated an Army of 8 or 10,000 Enemies. As soon as the Muskets had laid some few upon the Ground, the rest began to parly, and promis'd to live peaceably. The Dutch took above 10,000 Oxen from tliem, but restor'd them again and gave the Hottentots withal some Tobacco and Brandy to convince them that this was a Peace without fraud.
I will here add two or three things more concerning this Teople : They have no use of Eeading, and consequently of Writing. Some Relation which I remember to have read, speaks of them as if they were Astrologers, but then their Astrology must be no great matter, at least I'm assur'd that they make no Division of. Time, nor distinguish either by Weeks, Months or Years. The greatest part of tliose that are Neighbours to the Cape, have learnt to speak Dutch.
1 In December 1G96, Ensign Schryver had been sent with thirty soldiers and twenty burglicrs against the Grigri(j[na tribes on the banks of the Ele[)hant river ; one of many similar exneditions. (Cf. Thea!, I. c, p. 6.)
296 UNCEKEMONIOUS MARRIAGES, [1698.
When they make Merry, their Cries or Howlings serve them for Songs. They Laugh sometime like to split their Sides, and their Dances are grotesque and indecent, altlio' tlie women do not mix with the Men, but Dance by them- selves.
I have often observ'd young People among them, making Love after an extraordinary gallant manner. The Lover approaches his Paramour, who expects him either sitting or standing, and without saying a word to her, presents Smiling the second finger of his Right Hand just over against her Eyes, as if he would tear them out. After he has mov'd his Finger about for a quarter of an Hour, Laughing all the while, from one Eye to another, he suddenly turns his Back, and goes away as he came. Their Marriages are without Ceremony.
Sometimes they assemble by Dozens or Twenties, and squat down upon their Heels without touching the Ground any otherwise. The Circle being thus form'd, a Pipe of Tobacco goes round, and every one takes a whiff till the Pipe is out. I never observ'd that this good Fellowship was ever interrupted by any Quarrel, and to say true, they are by no means Mutinous. They feed, lie, and live together like a Herd of Oxen and Cows, doing like them the ordinary functions of Nfiture with all manner of Simplicity. As Avarice is no reigning Passion among them, and all that come to Want are immediately reliev'd by the rest, it seldom happens that any of them mind Stealing, so that the Christian Inhabitants let them come and go without fearing to lose any thing by them.
There are at the Cc/^ac a great number of Negro's that are brought from Madagascar, Ccilon, and other Islands. Those among them that are Slaves, go almost JS'aked, and aie treated as you have heard ; l)ut other that are free, have Horses and Coaches.^ They say they worship one only God,
' In orig. : " niais ceux qui sunt librcs out des maisons a eux, & sont
1698.] DEISTS OR ATHEISTS, 297
Creator of all Things, and that they likewise have a great Veneration for the Sun and Moon, as his two chief Ministers, whose principal Commission is to vivify the Earth, and all the Inhabitants that inhabit it ; but this Adoration is Secret and Interior. They have neither Images, Ceremonies, nor any other manner of sensible Worship ; and admit no other Law than that of Nature. If they Feast and Dance at the renewing of the Moon, it is not to show any respect for lier, but like the Hottentots, to rejoice at the return of the Light. In a word they are perfect Deists, whereupon I can't forbear takhig notice by the by, tho' against the common Opinion, that there is no real difference to be made between these People, and those we call Atheists, since the indolent God of the Deist is no God, and that herein they are less Orthodox than the wicked Spirits, who haveajuster Idea of the Divine Being.
Moreover to say that we worship God without loving him, without fearing him, without asking any thing of him, or expecting any thing fi'om him ; without caring for him in any manner what soever, is properly speaking to have no God at all, and to have no God is to be an Atheist.
When these Negro-Slaves obtain their Liberty^ it is a fatal Happiness for them, for whilst they are Slaves those that have Authority over them, take care to instruct them in Ileligion, and teach them to Eead and Write, which the French Eefugees above all employ themselves about with a great deal of Earnestness ; but when they become free, while they are young, they become at the same time Libertins. It
liabillez." " Horses and Coaches" must be misprinted for " Houses and Clothes".
1 Many of the English ships which put into Table iJay at this time were engaged in the slave trade between the West Indies and Mada- gascar. Again, Dutcii people proceeding home from Ceylon and Batavia often took slaves with them, who were left at the Cape. These last w<re treated as free persons, and sent back to their own countries. (Cf. Thcal, I. c, p. 60.)
298 SAINT HELENA. [1698.
seems to me likewise desirable, that the same care were taken of tliose Hottentot Children who are most conversant with the Inhabitants of the Cape.
Shall I remember the Eeader, before I leave the Cape, that the Continent was discover'd by Barthclcmi Diaz, a Portu- guese, in the year 1493 ?^ He had undergone a prodigious Tempest before he got a-shoar, whereupon he told his Master, (John II) at his Return, that he had namM this Territory the Cape of Torments, to which tlie King reply'd, After a Storm comes a Calm, therefore you ought to have call'd it the Cape of Good Hope.
After we had refresh'd our selves here for near a Month, we departed the 8th oi March, 1698, and sail'd directly for St. Helena, an Island, as it is well known, belonging at present to the English.'^ We got sight of it on Easter Day. It seem'd to us extreamly high, and almost inaccessible on that side that presented it self to our View.-''
In a word it is on that side environ'd with extraordinary steep Hocks even to the Sea shoar. About a quarter of a League to the Southward, you discover at a distance a Mountain of white Stone,* on which nothing grows ; you see there an infinite number of Birds^ that I have formerly spoken
' Vide ante, p. 30.
2 St. Helena had been captured by the Dutch in 1673, and retaken by Sir Richard Munden in the same year. The governor of the island at this time, 1698, was Captain Stephen Poirier.
3 " St. Helena, from its position in the South Atlantic Ocean, lies in the strength of the S.E. trade wind, and is usually sighted by ships at a distance of sixty miles, rising like a huge fortress, witli pi-ecipitous sides of 1,000 feet. These rampart-like cliffs are intersected with ravines, but the island is almost inaccessible except by two or three openings to leeward, at James' Town, Rupert's Valley, and Lemon Valley."
4 "The mountain of white stone ("pierre seche", in the original French) is the curious rock called Lot, a pinnacle which rises up pro- minently in the extinct crater-valley of Sandy Ray, portion of the great disintegrated dike of a fine hard crystalline greystone which extends four miles." ( Vide Melliss's St. Ihlcna, p. 60.)
^ "Birds.'" In orig. : '• ces Fous & de ccs Frcgates." — Noddies and
1698.] ISLAND PRODUCE. 290
of: We Landed at the Fort built not long since on the shoar, at the foot of a Eock.^ It formerly stood on a steep Eminence, to which you were oblig'd to mount by Stairs, like a Ladder, for a considerable while, which could not likewise be done without some Danger. There are two places on this side where one may cast Anchor, the best was that where we were, as well on account of the Bottom, wliich was very sound, as by reason of excellent fresh Water which falls from a Mountain hard by.^ On this side, as I've already observ'd, there is no plain Ground, for the Mountain whence the Water Springs begins at the brink of the Shoar. This INlountain appear'd to us at a distance altogether barren, but wlien we came near it we perceived it had some Trees a-top.
The other Road^ is not near so good, but to make you amends when you get a-shoar, you come into a fair Plain, wliere every thing tliat is sow'd thrives admirably well.
This Island lies almost in the 16th Degree of Southern Latitude, aud is about six Leagues in Compass. The Air there is very good, and the Heats of the Sun are temper'd by refreshing Winds, in like manner as the Drought of the Soil is render'd fertile by the great Dews, and small Showers that fall frequently there. Fruit-Trees, Pulse, Herbs, and all the Plants which the Portugueses brought thither soon after their discovery of this Island, thrive there wonderfully well, and are to be found every where in great Abundance. Orange-Trees, Citron-Trees, Pomegranate-Trees, Ananas, Banane-Trees, Vines, Melons, Rice, Peas, Beans, Radishes, Turnips, etc., with all sorts of Corn. These same Portugueses took, likewise, care to transport thither all kinds of Cattle,
Frigate birds. The former Terns are yet numerous, and breed, with the Tropic bird, on the cliffs : but the Frigate or Mau-of-War bird has nearly disappeared, and no longer breeds in the island, although a certain cliff is still denominated Man-of- War Roost, where they formerly frequented. (Cf. Alelliss, /. c, p. 97.)
1 At lianks' Fort, under Sugar Loaf.
* James' Valley. 3 Rupert's Valley.
300 ISLAND OF ASCENSION. [1698.
Avliicli have since exceedingly multiply'd, such as Bulls and Cows, Goats, Sheep, etc. The Horses are become very Wild.^ You find there, moreover. Partridges, Turtles, and divers other sorts of Game.^ The Sea furnislies a great deal of good Fish, and we may say the few Inhabitants of this Island might live much better, and more at ease, were it not for a prodigious number of Eats that spoil their Fruit and Corn.
After having taken on Board the liefreshments tliat were necessary, we set sail Avith a favourable Wind the 2Gth of Ajml about Noon, but did not lose sight of the Island till we were got eight or ten Leagues off. We contemjjlated with a great deal of Pleasure the assembled Mass of these steep Rocks in the midst of a vast extent of Ocean, whose impetuous and terrible Waves seemed to have a mind to absorb it every Moment.
Some few days after we found our selves off of the Island of Ascension'^ which is in seven Degrees and a half of the same Latitude,^ but we did not design to Land there, and so steer'd on.
1 Island-bred ponies, remarkably sure-footed, are still extant in St. Helena, and number now about 250.
2 The partridge of St. Helena is probably the Caccahis clmkar of Northern India. There are also pheasants, which were abundant even in 1588, when they are mentioned by Cavendish. The only indigenous peculiar bird is the Wire-bird, yEgialiiis, a species of rail. In the French edition Leguat also mentions "pintades", guinea-fowl, ami " tourterelles", turtle doves, translated "Turtles" in the text. (Cf. Melliss's St. Helena, p. 95.)
3 Ascension is the next isolated spot in the midst of the Atlantic, in 8° lat., and its highest j)eak, called Green Mountain,- is visible at the distance of sixty-five miles. This island is now possessed by the Admi- ralty, and used as a sanatorium and dep6t for the West Coast of Africa. The best description of it is that written by the wife of Dr. Gill, the well-known Astronomer Royal at the Cajie, after the Mars expedition of 1877.
■' In orig. : " mais nous nc raperrumcs point," omitted by trans- lator.
1698.] THE TORRID ZONE. 301
This Island has neither Water.^ Plants, nor any other Quality that can invite any body to inhabit it. It is all cover'd over in a manner with divers sorts of Birds, whose Flesh is exceeding ill-tasted, and very unwholsom. Their Eggs are good enough.^ One sometimes goes a-shoar there to catch Tortoises, which are very plentiful, and a oreat llefreshment to the Ships.
We repass'd the Line with a good Wind, as we did at first, without being oblig'd to pull oft^ our Cloaths on account of the Heat. We have experieuc'd much hotter Weather in other parts. This depends on the condition of the Air.
I observ'd also that our Water, no more than our other Provisions, receiv'd no manner of Alteration in traversing all that Torrid Zone, which by no means agrees with what divers Travellers have writ on that Subject. Altho' each Ship of our Fleet had two Men that were hir'd to make every day the Sea-Water fresh, yet we found that Water so maukish, that the best use we made of it was to give it to our Animals,^ and to boil our Meat with it.
After some few more days Sailing we came to a flat Shoar, where the Sea-* was all cover'd with floating Weeds, whose
1 Stavorinus [1. c, i, p. 191) says that Ascension affords fresh water. A limited supply of fresh water is now obtained by certain drip-tanks on the sides of Green Mountain, whose summit, 2,818 ft., arrests some moisture from the trade clouds that drift past on the upper surface of the trade wind. What Leguat notices about Ascension was merely hearsay, as he did not siglit the island.
2 Innumerable noddy-terns and boobies frequent part of the island where their nests and eggs are found in abundance. From the noise and multitude of the birds, this locality has long been known as Wide- awake Fair.
3 In orig. : " aux animaux, veaux, moutons, cochons, poulcs, canards, & peut-etre s'cn servoit-on aussi pour faire cuire la viande."
* The Sargasso Sea lies in that comparatively quiet space of the North Atlantic which is bounded on the south by the Equatorial current, ou the west and north by the Gulf stream, and on the east by the Guinea current, which flows southward. There are two principal banks, the larger near the Azores, and a smaller one near the Bahamas. The
302 THK WKKI) SKA. [1698.
Leaves niucli resembled those of an Olive Tree. You always find great store of these Weeds in this Place for twenty Leagues together : Our Pilots had inforni'd us of it l)efore They call this Place the Weed-Sea.^ As we left Baiavia in a good Season, we met with Summer every where, and our Navigation for seven Months together, till our arrival in Holland, was perfectly Pleasant and Successful. We had all along favourable Winds, no Calms, nor no Tempests. But in this the fairest Weather in the World, there happen'd an Accident to us tliat was like to destroy our Sliip and another. The whole Fleet being to tack about upon a Signal the Admiral was to give us, every Ship was preparing to execute that Order, and all did it punctually upon the Signal given, except our Ship. While we were bringing about our Tackle, another Ship of the Fleet, that had already tack'd, was coming towards us with full Sails, and we thought it was impossible for us to avoid her. The Officers cry'd out on one side, and the Crew on the other, but for all that our Vessel did not obey, although the Consternation became general, and the Danger was so great and near, that the chief Pilot himself judg'd we could not escape it. The Captain,
situation of the banks of sea-weed varies according to the prevailing winds. Humboldt quotes a description from the Periplus of Scylax : — "The sea beyond Cerne ceases to be navigable in consequence of its great shallowness, its muddiness, and its sea-grass. The sea-grass lies a span thick, and is pointed at its upper extremity, so that it pricks."
The sargassum (fucus natans), or "gulf-weed", which forms this weed-sea, first discovered by Columbus, inhabits the tropical and adjacent seas of both hemispheres, and the genus includes many local species. In the Sargasso Sea plants have shorter leaves, the branches more contracted, and the bristles of the air-vessels broken off shorter than those of the Indian Ocean. The genus sargassum is the most highly organised of the melanospcrmex, or olive-coloured sea-weeds possessing root, stem, branches, leaves, air vescicles, and distinct organs of fructification. {Vide Miss Merrifield's paper, On Gnlf-wccd, in Nature, xviii, p. 709.)
• In orig. : " C'est une esprce d'Algue quo Tagitation des ilots dctache des llochers," omitted by translator.
1698.] UNFORESEEN DANCxER. SOo
liowever, did not lose his presence of Mind, wliich was so necessary on such Occasions. He caus'd the Ship speedily to be put before the Wind, and the Ship that came against us, running consequently the same Danger, because it was of the same Bigness, we manag'd our Tackle so successfully that we luckily avoided each other, which Avas the greatest chance in the World : We then began to search into the Cause that had hinder'd the Ship from obeying the Signal, and we found it had been occasion'd by the negligence of a Sailor that was at the Helm, who had not put the Whip-staff on that side it should have been. This happen'd either by reason he had not heard the word of Command, or had slighted it, or that he had drunk too much Araque. The Sub-Pilot,i whose business it was to give the word of Com- mand, was very much blam'd, for tliat he should have gone himself to see whether the Sailor had obey'd Orders. See how it oftentimes happens that you are at the very brink of Danger when you least think of it.
Some days before we arriv'd upon the Coast of Ireland, we observ'd the Sea seem'd at a distance extreamly swell'd, which gave us reason to believe there had been bad Weather in those Parts, and which was indeed true, for our Vice- Admiral, who had set sail two days before us, had undergone so great a Tempest, that he had lost his Main-Mast.^
We were afterwards 15 days before we could see Land,^ by reason of the great Foggs which environ'd us on all sides during all that time. They were so thick that we could not only perceive no Vessel of the Fleet, but were likewise at a loss to see one another upon Deck. To prevent our stragling from one another, we had the Precaution to fire now and then a great Gun Day and Night from each Ship, but by
1 In orig. : " qui etoit de quart." - In orig. : "grand Mat de Inine," i.e., main top-mast. ■" In orig. : " sans pouvoir prendre hauteur," /.c, without being able to take ob.servations.
304 END OF VOVAOK. [1698.
reason we did not know what Latitude we were in, we stray 'd towards tlie North niucli farther than Bungcsh)/- Head, tlie most Northerly Point of Scotland, in sight of whicli we ought to have sail'd. At length Divine Provi- dence causM us to arrive at Flushing, 28th of June 1698. Our voyage had lasted just seven months from Boiavia, and the whole course of my Travels were eight Years wanting twelve Days.
A
THANKSGIVING HYiMN
Menl'uiH\l Pu(je 192, o»iI Cowpns''d in tJie Ixland of St. Mcamice, upnn the Occasion of the li<ippy Ncirs of mij DcUrerance.
F. L.
Let us ?ing to th' Eternal a new Song !
Come ! Let us Rejoyce,
In the Presence of th' Eternal !
Let us bless our God,
And inake the sound of his Praise Eccho ;
For he comes to give Life to our Souls.
He delivers our Souls from Thraldom,
To the end that we may bless his Name.
Our Dwelling has been in an uncouth Place ;
Our habitation
Has been in the Holes of Rocks :
Tlie Ijloody Persecutor has pursu'd our Souls ;
He has Trodden our Liberty under foot!
He has buried us alive,
In dark and gloomy Places.
But th' Eternal has deliver'd Us
From the hands of our Enemy !
He has made him a-sham'd
That would have swallow "d us uji!
Th' Eternal,
The Rock of Ages,
The Rock of our Salvation,
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING. 305
Has been to Us a safe Retreat
In the Desart of our Captivity!
He has hid us in his Palace
During the bad Weather,
He has been both a Fortress to Us,
And a Deliverer !
Come !
Ye that are his Well-beloved !
Let our Mouths relate his Wonders,
And let them bless him for evermore !
Come !
Ye Inhabitants of Rocks,
Let us Rejoyce witli Songs of Triumph !
Our Days had almost fail'd Us :
Our Bones were in a manner dry'd up :
We were become like Cormorants
Of the Desart ;
Like Owls,
That retire unto wild Places,
We were lying in the shadow of Death:
We were loaded
Both with Affliction, and Irons.
But th' Eternal has broken our Bonds !
He has strengtheu'd our weak Hands,
And our trembling Knees !
He has bid those that had afflicted Hearts,
Take Courage, and fear no more !
Come then, let us praise th' Eternal !
For he is Good.
Let us Magnifie ! Let us exalt his Name altogether !
For he has done great Things ;
And his Goodness lasts to all Eternity !
The Red Dragon^ the furious Drai/ou,
That makes War upon the Saints,
Is come down against Us
To devour Us.
We fled unto the Desarts,
To a Place preparVl by the hand of God ;
His Conii)assion here descended among Us,
And his Bounty has comforted Us.
306 HYMN OF THANKSGIVING.
The profound Gulfs
Have threatened to swallow us uj):
The Impetuous Storms
Have caus'd Us to mount up to the Clouds,
And then descend ajjain to the lowest Abyss.
But
Th' Almighty who inhabits in the Heavens,
Has been more powerful than the unruly Waters,
Or the strongest Surges in the Ocean.
Th' Eternal has commanded the Winds ;
He has broken the Seas ;
He has turned the Tempest into a Calm ;
And the roaring Floods are appeas'd.
Th' Eternal
Has made us to traverse securely
The Desarts, and Seas.
He has deliver'd us from the current of Waters
That bore Us away.
Let Us bless without ceasing his Holy Name !
Let Us set forth his Glory !
'Tis a good thing to praise th' Eternal !
He abounds in Compassion ;
, And his Goodness lasts for ever !
Rocks ! Bless th' Eternal !
Isles !
Bless th' Eternal !
Ocean, Whirl-winds, Waves, Calms, Tempests
Bless th' Eternal !
Mountains, Deeps !
Bless th' Eternal !
Rivers !
Clap your Hands ! Praise th' Eternal !
Fish, Birds, Insects !
Whales, Elephants !
Praise th' Eternal !
Heavens, Stars, Moon, Sun !
Men, Angels !
Praise th' Eternal !
My Soul !
Bless th' Eternal !
Let all that is within Me
Bless the Name of his Holiness !
FINIS. 307
I will bless th' Eternal at all times :
His Praise
Shall be continually in my ]\Iouth.
As long as I breath
I shall praise th' Eternal.
Let us Praise, Bless and celebrate th' Eternal.
Lord ! Thou art worthy to receive Glory, Honour and Power.
Holy ! Holy ! Holy ! Is the Almighty Lord God !
To Him
That sits upon the Throne,
And to the Lamb,
Be Praise, Honour and Glory,
And Strength,
For ever and ever !
Amen!
FINIS.
[The above hymu is omitted in the Dutch edition, which is in one volume of 178 pages.]
X2
APPENDIX
A.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS.^
M. Jules Coding, of the Socic'te de Geographic at Paris, has succeeded in partially unravelling the interesting problem as to the actual date of the discovery of the several islands which compose the Mascarene archipelago. Absolute certainty as to this date must remain in obscurity until the Portuguese archives have been more thoroughly investigated.
Tradition assigns the first discovery of these islands to Masca- renbas, but M. Codine remarks that there were several voyagers and notable persons of that name who served in the Indies during the sixteenth century.
Don Joan Mascarenhas was governor of Diu in 1545, and M, Codine points out that as Don Joan Mascarenhas was at Diu throughout the year 1545, it could not have been that adminis- trator who discovered the islands under the tropic of Capricorn in that year. The error of giving this date, 1545, as that of the first discovery of Reunion has arisen from a wrong intcrjiretation given to certain inscriptions on a stone pillar, which M. de Flacourt speaks of and figures in his Hlstorij of Madagascar.^
The error of the date 1545 is proved by the appearance of the names of the three islands, Apolonia, Mascarenas, and Domigo Friz, on the chart of the famous pilot, Diego Ribero, in the Atlas of Santai'em, under date of 1529.
These islands, writes M. Codine, have on several maps the ijeneric name " Isles Mascarenhas''. This generic name has also
1 Vide Menioire Geographique sur la Mer des Indea, par J. Codine, Paris, 18G8, chap, vii, p. 188 et seq. ^ Vide supra, p. 41, and Addendum, infra.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS, 309
been given to some island situated in latitude 5° S., or thereabouts, of which Pere Hardouiu speaks as being the Cokmins of Ephorus. In the maps of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries a group of islands can be seen, situated to the east of the Aniirantes, with the name Islas Mascarenhas. There are some technical allusions to these charts in the Voyage of Davis to the East Indies. " On leaving the Comoro Islands (in 1599), the islands of Mascarenhas were passed, without fear of the Amirante shoals, and, the navigation continuing favourable, on the 23rd May the Maldive islands were sighted."
There are yet again other islands which have borne the name Jfascarenhas, as, in the map given by De Bry in IGOl, this name is applied to islands placed between Diego-Garcia and the Maldives, The same appears in the map appended to the Voyage of Van-der-Hagen (1612).
Meanwhile, it is especially to the Seychelles group that this denomination has been given, and it is thus that Bellin, on his map of the Eastern Ocean or Indian Sea, in 1756, has designated that group of islets — the Isles Mascarenhas. Indeed, Masca- renhas (Pierre?) on leaving Mozambique, could not have taken at the same time the direction of the island Amirante and that of the islands Bourbon, Maurice, Rodrigues. We shall solve the difficulty with the map of Ortelius, in 1570, where these Mascarene islands, situated to the east of Amirante, are desig- nated as isles de Vasco d'Aciigna; and we find, in Ortelius, Martinez de la Puente saying : " At one hundred and forty leagues to the north of Madagascar are five small islands which Vasco d'Acugna discovered, and which bear his name."
Let us admit, then, that the islands discovered by Pedro Mascarenhas are the islands of Reunion or Bourbon, Mauritius, and Rodrigues. . , ,
Pedro Mascarenhas arrived for the first time in this sea in 1512, He commanded one of the vessels of the fleet of Garcia do Noronha, This fleet had a disastrous voyage, and arrived at Mozambique the 11th March 1512, A Portuguese ship just come from the Indies apprised the admiral that the Viceroy, Alfonso d'Albuqucrquc, believed that his fleet was destroyed, Garcia de
olO APPENDIX.
Noroiilia, not judging the season favourable for contiiniing his voyage, sent on immediately to India Pedro Mascarenhas. The fifteen years which this captain passed in Asia were occupied in his governments or military enterprises, whose success entaikd his designation as successor of Henri de Mcnezes to tlio govern- ment of the Indies. He passed a second time through the Indian Ocean to go to Portiigal, and set sail from Cochin in the last days of December 1527.
Was it in this return voyage tliat Pedro Mascarenhas might have discovered our three islands'? That is not probable, for he only arrived in Portugal at a date closely approximating to that of the publication of the mappa munch of 1529, by Diego Ribero. ]\Ioreover, this mappa mundi bears not only the name of Mascarenhas, but, as well, that of another discoverer, Doniigo Friz. This is an indication that these two names date in carto- graphy from a previous epoch ; besides, there is on this mappa mundi a third name, Santa Appollonia, justified by a map2)(t' mundi of 1527 — carta universalis — preserved at Weimar, where is to be found a copy in the Santarem Atlas, and upon which the three islands bear the genei'ic name of Santa Appollonia.
Excluding, therefore, the year 1528, we are brought back to the first voyage of Alascarenhas in 1512. We have before noticed on what account this captain was despatched fi'om Mozambique to India. In 1507 the fleets which left Portugal about the month of April would arrive at Mozambique in the month of September, at the time when the contrary monsoon was just commencing. First and foremost, Ruy Soares, Commander of Rhodes, was sent to India in a ship commanded by Pcro Qnaresma. Ruy Soares took his course towards the north close up to Cape Guardafui ; from thence he crossed the Indian Ocean, and was driven by stress of weather to Cape Comorin. It is impossible to suppose that, judging from his point of departure (Cape Guardafui), the bad weather had conducted him into the neighbourhood of our islands.
Pedro Mascarenhas, having a similar mission to accomplish, could not, witliout doubt, on account of the contrary monsoon, proceed north, and he tried, by a chance navigation, a course in
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 311
which he knew he should meet with the islands already laid down on his charts, and about which he had probably collected some information from his predecessors. The fleet of Garcia de Noronha arriving at Mozambique on the 12th March 1512, it could not have been until the end of this month, or in the month of April, that Mascarenhas was, perhaps, able to reach two of our islands, as shown him by the chart 10 of the Geogi'aphy of Livio Sanuto, of 1588, where Bourbon and Mauritius are thus desig- nated : Mascaregnce insuloi ditxe, perhaps our three islands, of which that most to the west, Santa Apollonia, had been already known by the Portuguese. In fact, this name indicates that the island which bears it was thus named, either by a ship of that name which had discovered it — and then the day of that discovery would bo uncertain— or because the ship which discovered it arrived there on the 9th February of a year which could only be either 1512, or a year previous to 1512, as early as 1506, the year of the discovery of Madagascar.
It was not the year 1512. The fleet of Garcia de Noronha, leaving Lisbon in 1511, arrived, after a bad passage, at the island of iSaint-Thomas ; the pilot, imagining that he had doubled the Cape of Good Hope, took a course to the north-east and reached the west coast of Africa, which they coasted during a month and a half before doubling this cape. The Portuguese historian shows us the fleet, passing, half lost, between Sofala and the island of Saint- Lawrence (Madagascar), and landing, for the first time since its dejoarture from the island of Saint-Thomas, at Mozambique, where it ai-rived on the 11th March 1512 ; was there repaired, and when the favourable monsoon commenced, continued its voyage on to India, During the stay in harbour of this fleet at Mozambique, it was joined by that of Pedro Mascarenhas.
Going back to previous years, we can eliminate the fleets uf Gonzalo de Siipicira and of Diogo Mendez de Vasconcellos, who, leaving Lisbon on the 16th Mai-ch 1510, followed the ordinary track ; and the fleet of JoPio Sorx-ao, leaving Lisbon the 8th August the same 3'ear, since Joao Serrao, after having coasted along the island of Saint-Lawrence, made a course for Goa, by the north of that island, during which voyage Payo de Sa, on his way to
312 APPENDIX.
confer with Joao Serrao, was driven by bad weather to Mozam- bique. We can elimhiate the year 1509, when, on the 10th March, there departed from Lisbon the fleet commanded by the Marshal Don Fernando Coutinho, who had a mission to put an end to the divisions existing between Alfonso d' Albuquerque and the Viceroy Fran9ois d'Almeida, who declined to resign his government. We are thus brought to this conclusion : that the islands about which we are discussing were discovered under the government of the Viceroy Frangois d'Almeida.
We take notice of three circumstances when the Portuguese ships could, by the date of their voyage, satisfy the conditions of finding themselves in the neighbourhood of our islands, in the month of February, or in having traversed the Indian Ocean by the eastward of Madagascar.
The three circumstances are as follows. First, Diego Lopez de Siipieira sailed from Lisbon the 5th April 1508, and arrived at Madagascar on the 4th August. He employed the end of the year in examining the east coast, and set sail for India, anchoring at Cochin on the 20th April 1509.
Barros states that this captain did not arrive at Cochin direct, but by way of Cape Comorin, and he adds that he only reached this cape with much trouble. It is, therefore, evident that Diego Lopez, not being able, on account of the north-east monsoon, to reach India by the north of ^ladagascar, directed his course more directly from Madagascar to Cape Comorin, and thus made from west to east a course similar to that which, in January 150G, Fernand Scares had made from east to west. Lopez do Castanheda says that Diego Lopez, on leaving the island of Saint-Lawrence, took his course towards the island of Ceylon.
In this route Diego Lopez could have met with our three islands; meantime, his name is borne on the charts of the sixteenth centur}', under the corruptions, Don Galojyes and don Galope, which are seen on the maps of Mercator, of Ortelius, of Petrus Plancius, and on that appended to the India Orientalis of dc Bry, and only applying to the island of Rodriguez ; so we ouuclude that Diego Lopez really discovex'ed only the island of Uudrigucz. Perhaps, indeed, he saw it again or discovered it on
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 313
his return from India, for when ho arranged to return to Portugal and had reached Sumatra, at Cape Cory, learning that Francois d' Almeida, whose part he had taken against Alfonso d 'Albu- querque, had set out for Portugal, and fearing the indignation of the new Viceroy, Maffee says, " he set sail from Travancore, in January 1510, and keeping away from the west coast, he left on the right hand India and Arabia, and passed the Cape of Good Hope." Castauheda says likewise that Diego Lopez sailed direct to the Cape of Good Hope, passing to the south of the Maldives.
Unless we had for the island of Rodrigues other motives for conclusions, yet more valuable than those we have just stated, we should say that this island was discovered by Diego Lopes de Siqueira at the conmiencemeut of the year 1509, or at the com- mencement of the year 1510.
In spite of this consideration, exclusive of every other island, we cannot prevent ourselves from remarking that the 9th February, tiie day of Sainte Appoline, could be included in the time of this voyage of Diego Lopes, either by Madagascar to Cape Comorin, or from Travancore to the Cape of Good Hope.
The Second Circumstance. — The fleet of Fernand Soares, as we have said, left Cochin in December 1505 ; arrived incidentally at the Island of Madagascar on the 1st of February 1506. During its passage it would have been possible to meet with our islands ; but the 9th February is beyond the limit of the time indicated, and according to the narration of Fernand Lopez de Castanheda, Fernand Soares and Ruy Freirio, who arrived at Madagascar on the 1st February, were still on the south side of that island, which they had not left on the 1 7th of that month.
Was there a delayed ship which, separated from its consorts, might have discovered the island Santa Apollonia on the 9th February, and again rejoined Fernand Soares on his way to Lisbon % For it sliould be remembered that Castanheda and Osorius, in their account of the discovery of Madagascar, only mention two ships, that of Fernand Soares and that of Roderic Freirio ; although, according to Barros, there should have been three of which he names the captains, and the name of Frederic Freirio docs not appear among them. The silence of the his-
314 APPENDIX.
torians docs not permit us to fix precisely anytliing; hut there is here a conjecture whereby the truth may he founds for the year of this discovery is restricted between the year 1506 by the voyage of Fcruand Soares, and the year 1 507 by the voyage of Tristan da Cunha.
The Third Circumstance. — The fleet of fourteen sail of Tristan da Cunha and of Alfonso d'Albuqucrque arrived at Mozambique in November 1506, consequently at the commencement of the contrary (North-East) monsoon, which prevented him from fol- lowing his course. We find again a part of these fourteen ships at Madagascar on the Sth December 1506.
Some days afterwards Alfonso d' Albuquerque, ne.xt Tristan da Cunha, returned to Mozambique. The dates fail to fix the time that each of them stayed thei'e before proceeding to Melinda, for commencing together their operations. Osorius fixes one useful date; they arrived at Brava "at a time when the wind arose and a fierce hurricane", which indicates the time of the change of monsoon, about the 1st May 1507. If we calculate back, before the 1st May, the time necessary to visit the King of Melinda, and the expedition against the cities of Oja and Lamo, in estimating fully this time at two months, it is seen that we can only follow the Portuguese fleet to the beginning of March. Castanheda says that Alfonso d' Albuquerque left Mozambique in February ; and considering the adverse monsoon, the more we dismiss this juncture the more we shall be in the truth. Let us admit, then, the end of February. Until the month of March the Portuguese historians only relate the most important of the cruises of some ships ; they say nothing of the less important incidents which are wanthig.
BaiTos mentions three ships, named Galega, Santa-Maria, and Cirne,
The ship Galega is mentioned (Decade II, liv. 7, chapter 2) as having arrived from India at Mozambique in \^^\'2, ; it had remained there in the impossibility of sailing. This sliip was per- haps one of the fleet of Tristan da Cunha.
The Santa-Maria des Virtudes was the ship commanded by Jean Comes d'Abrcu. There was again in this fleet another ship, the Santa-Maria, commanded by Alvaro Fcrnaniles.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 315
The Cirne was the ship commanded by Alfonso d'Albuquerque. His pilot was Diogo Fernandes Pereira, who, in 1503, when captain of the ship Setuhal, in the fleet of Antonio de Saldanha, had distinguished himself by his numerous captures and by the discovery of the island of Socotora.
In regard to the three names of ships, let us place the three islands of the Indian Ocean which bear them, where they derived the same names: Galega, Santa-Maria, or Sainte-Marie, and Girne.
The islands Galega and Sainte Marie yet figure on our modern charts ; Cirne is the name which various islands have borne viz. ]\Iauritius, llodrigues, besides a little island situated to the north of Madagascar, and which corresponds to the islet called Jean de Nova.
Can it be admitted that there has been in this triple coincidence the simple effect of chance ? Is it not, on the contrary, natural to suppose that these islands have been discovered by the ships Galega, Santa-Maria, and Cirne, which have given them their names ?
Rodrigues is figured on the chart of 1529 of Diego Ribero, under the name of Domigo Friz. According to M. d'Avezac Friz is an abbreviated form of Fernandes. By adoptiu"- the abbreviation for Friz, and the alteration Domigo in place of Diogo, it may be conjectured that the two denomiuations, Cirne and Domigo Friz, applied to the island Mauritius and to the island Rodrigues, proceed from the same conjunction of discovery. The ship Cirne having discovered both the two, Mauritius had been named Cirne from the name of the ship ; and the island Rodrigues has been named Diogo Fernandes from the name of the ctlebratcd pilot of the ship Cirne.
It can be objected that the ship, the Cirne, had on board of her Alfonso d'Albuquerque, the Captain-General of one of the two squadrons placed, until after the projected expedition against tiie island Socotora, under the superior orders of Tristan da Cunha ; that Alfonso d'Albuquenpie left Mozambique with Tristan da Cunha, who accompanied him to Madagascar, and that he only left him to return to Mozambique, when he awaited until the
316 APPENDIX.
month of March an opportunity favourable for continuing his voyage to the north and along the east coast of Africa.
Ijideed, Barros {Decade IT, liv. 1, ch. 1) furnishes a useful indication. Tristan da Cunha had learnt, without doubt by the information of Ruy Pereira, that the coasts of Madagascar were much indented, that the waters of its harbours had little depth ; judging therefore that his ship the San-Iago, was too great fur the exploration which he projected, he gave over the command of it to Antonio de Saldhanha, and went on board the Santo- Antonio, couniianded by Juao da Veiga.
This detail has been brought forward by Barros, because it concerns the principal personage of the expedition ; but it is evident that the same measure, prompted by the same motives, would have been taken for the vessel of Alfonso d'Albuquerque, tlie Cirndy of which, at various times, there is question in this historian.
From thenceforth the objection which we have raised ceases to exist ; and there is nothing impossible in the supposition of some cruises undertaken by Diogo Fernandes Pereira, captain of the Cirne.
According to what we have said as to the date of the wintering of the fleet of Tristan da Cunha and of Alfonso d'Albuquerque at Mozambi(}ue, it appears that the island of Santa-Apollonia could be discovered on the 9th February 1507.
So, then, if the island Santa-Apollonia was not sighted in 1506, the islands of Reunion, Mauritius, and llodrigues were, in all probability, discovered by Diogo Fernandes Pereira. Reunion, on the 9th February 1507, and called Santa-Apollonia; Mauritius and llodrigues at some days' interval from the 9th February 1507. From this year, 1507, dates the name of Cirne given to Mauritius, and that of Diogo Fernandes given to the island llodrigues under the alteration Domigo Friz.
At tlie commencement of 1509, Diogo Lopes de Siqueira saw the island Rodrigues, to which his name was applied under the alteration Don Galopes or Don Galope.
In April 1512, Pierre Mascarenhas, provided with information fiuiiishcd by the preceding expedition, discovered them (the
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MASCARENE ISLAXDS. 317
islands) afresh. In fact, they were again met with by other navigators, amongst others by the pilot, Jean de Lisboa, and by the brother of the pilot, as several maps will show. — J. Codine.
Addendum to Appendix A. M. DE FLACOURT'S PILLAR.^
M. Codine notices that, when Flacourt wrote the passage quoted by Du Quesnc and Leguat, he is on the eve of undertaking his return to France, and is at Fort Dauphin :
" Before leaving, I caused to be set up in my garden a large pillar of white marble, which I had brought from the islet of the Portu- guese, upon which were cut the arms of Portugal, and on the other side I had engraved the arms of his most Christian :Majesty, and on the base these words, which are in this figure, ..." (Here follows the inscription given in the illustration.)
In order that the explanation of Du Quesne, of Leguat, and of those who have copied them may be plausible, it is necessary that the islet of the Portuguese should be the island of Mascarenhas, which these authors have supposed, having given only a very superficial attention to Flacourt 's work.
Yet the islet of the Portuguese is not, in this historian, a vague denomination which can be applied to any locality, and above all, to an island at a long distance from Madagascar, it is a place well identified, situated at a few hours' march only from Fort Dauphin, and of which Flacourt speaks repeatedly, notably in the chapter xxxiv of his narrative, and in the chapter xii of his descrip- tion of Madagascar. This old governor of the French establish- ments in that island has given the plan of it, which he has in- serted in his work. In fact, the islet of the Portuguese is shown as well in his general map of Madagascar. The fate of the Portuguese who selected that spot as a settlement in 1545, and who inhabited it a little time, is recorded in detail ; and it might
Viilc ante, p. 41, and map of Isle Bourbon, PI. iv
318
APPENDIX.
be said tliat the islet of the Portiigiicse is the part of Madagascar best described, and whose position it is impossible to misunder- stand. Yet the description of the Portuguese and the date 1545 are foreign to the island Mascarenhas or Mascareigno.
As to the inscription of the French, and the date 1653, the text of Flacourt is quite clear; this stone had been placed by him in his garden at Fort Dauphin. To account for this inscription being made on the occasion of the taking possession of the island Mascareigne, it would be necessary that the date should l)e 1649, the year of the taking possession by Lebourg, under order of Flacourt, and Flacourt would not have omitted in his story so interesting a detail as that of this stone, in place of simply saying " the taking of possession was fastened to a tree below the arms of the King". But this is only a gratuitous supposition. The date 1653 agrees with the text and meaning of Flacourt. The last words of the inscription, which would be very strange if it had applied to a desert island like Mascareigne, form an incon- testable proof of it : " 0 advena, lege monita nostra, tibi, tuts, vitcc- que tuo; profuUira ; cave ah incolis ! vale /" and Flacourt ends the chapter Ixvii by the following explanation of this inscription : " Which I caused to be done to warn the first captains of Christian ships who should come from Europe to beware of treason of this nation, in case on arrival in our absence and that of the ship, and that the French getting impatient should go away to live before- hand inland."
As consequent to this description, we may remark that the vulgar error as to the discovery of the island of Reunion, in 1545, proceeds from the wrong localisation of the stone, of which we have just spoken, at the island of Mascareigne.
In glancing at the plate of Leguat, representing : in the centre, the shape of the island Mascareigne ; to the right, the inscription of the Portuguese, with the date 1545 ; to the left, the inscription of the French^ and the date 1653, and the whole on the same sheet, it is not difficult to understand the facility with which the eye could deceive the mind, indeed, without the knowledge of the misleading text, of which the plate is only a material repro- duction.— J. CODINE.
Gi-a%'«epai'F,rtui<d.S(ilii»Ur.rne Ronapttric 4^
Pari»-Iuip.LeineiTiri-.rwf di" Seine 57
BIRDS IN BOURBON. 319
List op Birds in Bourbon, referred to at p. 45. After Maillard.
Perruche, Poliopsitta cana.
Perroquet noir, Coracopsis vaza.
Petite Salangane, Collocalia esculenta.
Hirondelle Salaugane, Collocalia francia.
Hiroudelle des bles, Phedina borUotiica.
Huppe, Fregilupus capensis.
Martin, Acridotheres tristis.
Oisoau de la Vierge, Mtiscipeta borhonica.
Merle, Ilypsipetes olivaceus.
T u i t u i t, Oxynotus ferruginncs.
Tec-tec, Fratincola sybilla.
Oiseau blauc, Zosterops borbonica.
Oiseau vert, Zosterops hesitata.
Calfat, Munia oryzivora.
Co u til, Maja jiunctidaria.
Senegali^ Estrelda astrild.
Bengali, Estrelda amandava.
Cardinal, Foudia madagascariensis.
Moutardicr, Chlorospyza chloris.
Moiueau, Passer domestictcs.
Tariu, Serinus ictericus.
Pigeon marron, Golumba Schimpcri.
Tourterelle malagache, Turtur picturatus.
Tourterelle du pays, Geopelia striata.
Caille, Margaroptrdrix striata.
Caille de Chine, Excalfadoria chinensis.
Perdrix, Francolimts perlatus.
Aigrette, Ilerodias calceolata.
Poule d'eau, Gallinula chloropus.
Fou ou Fouqnet, Pterodroma aterrima.
Hirondelle de mer, PiiJ/imis ohscurus.
Macoua, Ahous tenuiostris.
Paille en queue, Phaeton candidus.
Courlis, Numenitcs j)h€eo2ms.
Alouette de niei', Pelidna cincltts.
B.
RELATION DE L'lLE EODRIGUE.
^I. ALrii. Milne-Edwards presented to tlie Section of Anatomy and Zoology of the French Academy of Sciences, on the 10th May 1875, his Observations on the Epoch of the Disappearance of tlie Ancient Fauna of the Island Rodriguez,^ in which he announced the discovery by M. Rouillard, a magistrate of Mauritius, among the archives of the Ministry of Marine at Paris, of a manuscript entitled Relation de Vile Rodngue, reported to him by Professor A. Newton, of Cambridge, who requested him (M. Milne-Edwards) to make further investigation to fix the epoch when this manu- script was written ; for it bore no date or name of author, but had been found bound up in tome xii of the Corresjwndence of the He de France, a.d. 1760. Was this date exact as regards the manu- script, and was it to be concluded that from this MS. narrative that the birds in question were still alive in 1760 — that is to say, almost after a century from the time that Leguat wrote ?
M. Milne-Edwards was able to convince himself that this document was of older date than that of the correspondence with which it was bound up ; and, although he was unable to discover the name of the author, he was able to fix the date when it was written. In fact, he found in tome i of the correspondence an old inventory of the reports and letters from 1719 to 1732, enclosed in the files of the office before they had been arranged and bound in volumes. In this enumeration he found mentioned this Relation de Vile Rodrigue interpolated between documents dated from 1729 to 1730-31. Its index number corresponded exactly with that now on the Relation itself. It is No. 1 of the file (carton) 29. This indication, therefore, enabled him to establish with some accuracy the period when, if it was not written, at all events it was transmitted to the Compagnie des Indes. It is,
1 C'omptes rendus des seances de CAcademie dcs Sciences, tome Ixxx, 1875, p. 1212.
RELATION DE L'ILE RODRIGUE. 321
therefore, posterior to 1730/ and it is by mistake that it has become mixed up with the correspondence of 1760.
M. Milne-Edwards also remarked that this Carton 29 originally included a Deliberation dii Conseil, of the 20th July 1725, on the proposed taking possession of the Island of Diego Ruys, i.e., Rodriguez. There is reason, therefore, to suppose, he adds, that, as the result of this deliberation, the Company dis- patched one of its officers to study the resources of this island, and report if it was fit for an establisliment to be formed thei'e. The report, forwarded four years later, appears to correspond perfectly with the questions of this order for inquiry. The anonymous author of the following Relation gives all the necessary information for faciUtating a disembaication ; he details all the islets and reefs, and then reviews the animal and vegetable productions, not forgetting the examination of the soil and its arable qualities.
M. Milne-Edwards states that the report is evidently the work of a practical marine surveyor, but not of a literary man, acquainted with the rules of orthography. M. Edwards has not published that portion of the report dealing with sailing directions and economic questions, confining himself solely to the descriptive parts relating to the fauna and flora of the island ; moreover, he has corrected the grammatical faults in the original manuscript.
RELATION DE l'iLE RODRIGUE.^
There is so great a quantity of fish within the reefs and about them, that if a morsel of food is thrown into the sea, at once some thirty fishes appear, and immediately swallow it up. There are all sorts, of which I proceed to give the names of a few known to me.
1 It may be recollected that Leguat did not die until 1735. Vide ante.
2 Nouveaux Documents sur VEpoque de la Dit^parit'ion de la Faune ancienne de Vile Rodricjne, par M. Alph. Milne-Edwards, in the Annates des Sciences Natarelles, Zoologie et Paleontologie, 6me Serie, tome ii, p. 133 ct scq., 1875.
322 APPENDIX.
The shark,' among others, is of a prodigious size, and there arc some up to twelve feet in length. There are a quantity of small ones of different sizes, which are so hungry, that if a man liad the misfortune to fall into the water, they would tear hiiu with tlieir teeth ; a proof of which is, tluit the day following our disembai'ca- tion, when proceeding to take soundings, they snatched the oars from the rowers, and gave us a good deal of trouble. We experienced suchlike during all the time we remained in tlie island.
There is a fish of a size nearly equal to that of the shark, and of the same form, which they call at Bourbon E?i(Iormi,~ an appropriate name, for it sleeps in the water. If they wish to capture it they pass a rope ai'ouud the tail, and haul it on shore ; when it awakes, and does not attempt to bite, but tries to escape. The skin is very like shagreen, and of the same colour as that of the shark.
The Caranfjtie^ there is excellent; the largest I have seen was three feet and a half in length. The Caranr/nes pursue the other small fish wliich fly to escape them, and fall afterwards into the jaws of the sharks, who show them no more mei'cy than the former.
The Mullets^ are in quantity ; the largest that I have seen are of two feet and a-half in length. There are many Rnys,^ and numbers of some fish they call CapitanesS' I have taken a fish of the shape of a Lamprey, having the mouth of a serpent, with teeth very sharp ; I did not think it prudent to eat it, not know- ing it at all. {Vide ante, p. 174.)
The Rougets^ are common, besides numerous other fisli whose
' Le Reqnin. Carcharodon sp. Carcharias. V'ule aiik\ p. 9G.
2 Basking Shark, Cetorhimis.
3 Cobbler, or Cordonnier Horse-mackerel, Caranx sp. A species of Jlynnis is also called Carangue.
* Miujil sp. MiKj'il axillaris, etc. The Mulct vokur of tlie Creoles is the best for eating of the mullets. " Raid sp.
" Capitaine = Pentapus dux. ^ lloui'ette =: /Sc?Trt//^fs. Cardinal = rriacaitllnis.
RELATION DE L'ILE RODPJGUE. 323
names I do not know. The Lamantins^ are abundant, especially at the time they are breeding. I have seen thirty or forty in a herd grazing on the weed, in two or three feet of water. They are from fifteen to eighteen feet long. The females suckle their little ones in the same fashion as a woman ; I have only seen them nurse one at a time. They have two kinds of paws or hands, with which they hold their little ones ; they have not fins ; their tail is large and horizontal when the Lamantin is on its belly. The skin is hard, and nearly an inch thick. The flesh tastes something like that of veal, and the fat is firmer than that of pork.
The sea-turtle- is in such great abundance that a quantity of them is found stranded on the reefs when the tide is low, and not at all seasons. It is at the time of their laying and of their cavelage (calfatage ?), that is, of the coupling of these animals, which remain in this manner for nine days ; afterwards their eggs develop ; but I have not been able to know how many they bear, whatever trouble I have taken. I have only remarked that two or three days before laying, they come to taste the sand, and if they find it good and properly warmed, they come to lay ; in this fashion, they dig a hole in the sand where the sea does not reach, about three feet, and there put their eggs, from which, at the end of thirty-one days, issue all the little turtles by the same hole. I have remarked an extraordinary circumstance, which is, that if these little animals are placed at half a league from the sea they always find it ; and immediately they reach it, unless they are careful to hide themselves under some rocks, the fish, especially the sharks, destroy many of them. The sea-turtles are "caught easily by the hand, and without any instrument, or even a boat ; they watch for them the night they come to lay ; when they turn them on their back, they remain there. I have seen sea-turtles which laid upwards of 2,000 eggs.
There are crabs of five or six species.'^ I have not seen either lobsters or prawns, whatever pains I have taken.
^ Vide ante, p. 74. ^ yi,jf, aiiic^ p. 72.
3 Vide ante, p. 93.
Y 2
324 APPENDIX.
The islet which we liave named {FUe mix Foh) Booby Island,^ is a rock, with its summit pointed, something like a cone of iron, Avithout soil or grass ; it may be about a quarter of a league in circumference. This rock is covered with birds, which are called Fols," and which lay three times in the year ; these creatures are of the size of a young pigeon ; they kUl them with stones and sticks. They do not lay from the month of January until April. Their eggs are of the size of those of a hen, and are very good to eat, and even served us as soap for washing.
Diamond Island ^ {Vile aux Diamants), which is to the south of the preceding, is almost of the same form, of the same size, and of the same material ; there are also (Fols) boobies upon it, who live on fish. There are no land turtle on these two islets.
The two {ties cle sable) sandy islands,** which are to the north- west of the island, are covered during severe hurricanes ((/rands coups cle vent), excepting the larger, which is most to the west, which is full of {Chiendent) short grass, as well as Shearwaters [Fouquets). There are no land-tortoises, either on one or the
1 Booby Island, a conical mass of basalt rock fifty feet high, forms one of the marks for vessels entering and leaving Matlmrin Bay ; it is one mile inside the reef bordering Mathurin Bay. {Vide Chart, p. 49 ; ct. Finlay, I. c, pp. 515, 516.)
2 Foh. " These birds", says ]\I. Milne-Edwards, " are evidently not boobies (Fous), but probably belong to a species named I'tcrodroma (ilerrima (Verreaux), which to this day frequent the coasts of the Mascarene Islands.'' {Vide ante, 82, 178.)
3 Diamond Island, a similar basaltic rock, is a little more than a mile south of Booby Island, at a cable's length from the headland, west of Baie aux Hinircs^ and forms a conspicuous sea-mark fifty feet in height.
* Sandy Island, only fifteen feet, opposite the opening in the reef, Pas.se Dem'ie, and Cocoa Island, south of it, are mere sand-kays, near the western edge of the encircling reef, nearly two miles west of Ptc. de la Ponce. The name Cocoa Island seems to indicate that cocoa-nut trees have grown there, and the Chiendent growing on it is a species of herb, Cynodon Dactylon. A low scrub grows on both islands now {ihid., p. 514). The Tie de Fouquets, here mentioned, must not be confounded with Booby Island, which is bare rock, but refers to the islet, to the south-east, hereafter mentioned as the hie anx Fob et Fouquets, near Passe Platte (cf. Balfour, I.e., p. ^65).
EELATIOX DE L'ILE EODRIGUE. 325
other of these two islands. Frigate Island^ (Vile Fregates) must be nearly a mile in circuit (un bon tiers de lieite). There are some trees upon it, which grow, so to speak, in the rock, there being but very little soil. There are some tortoises on it, and it is full of frigates, which lay there twice in the year, and it is the only place where they lay. These frigates ai'e all so lazy, that they perch by day on the trees,^ at the edge of the sea, awaiting the other birds who go to fish. They make them disgorge ; after an ineffectual resistance, they are constrained to vomit the fish which are in their gullets when the frigate devours it before it I'caches the water. But when the largest of these birds are four or five together, the frigates, however strong and agile they may be, do not attack them, and thus they can feed their little ones who wait for them above. The males of the frigates have beneath the throat a red skin, which, when they are breeding, is swollen, and becomes round and as large as a chopine bottle, and red as scarlet, and at other times this skin is quite flat.
The little islct^ which is to the N.N.E. of Frigate Island is a rock without soil on it, on which there are some shearwaters. There are some land-tortoises, but very few, because the islet is not large.
The little islet^ which is to the E. of Fte. du Pahiier is a rock where there are some Fouquets. LHle Desiree^ may have nearly a twelfth of a league in circuit [in coi)j : p^'escVune douzaine de lieues de tour ; this is impossible : the writer must have meant iwes d'un doutieme de Heue de tour .?]. There is little wood upon it, and tortoises are found there, as well as upon the sister islet, and they are of some elevation.
1 Frigate Island is of basaltic rock, 120 ft. high. The Frigate, according to M. Edwards, is Taclnjpctes minor.
2 ISIapou trees {vide Balfour, ?.f., p. 365).
•■5 The little islet to the N.N.W. of Frigate Island must be Catharine Island, 75 ft. high, and the little islet to the W. of Lascar Bay is, apparently, Marianne I.
* Vile Desiree is the sister islet {camaradc) of Frigate I,, and about half its size.
326 APPENDIX.
The great island^ is, perhaps, about a league-and-a-half in circuit, with very little soil ; there arc, nevertheless, some trees on it, almost as fine as those on the main island. There is no water on it in the dry season, nor is there upon the others. It is high in the middle, and its two ends are flat. Tliere is no lack of land- tortoises there.
The seven islets,- which are to the south of the main island, are all small and flat, the largest having only a quarter-of-a-league in circumference. Upon the largest there are some tortoises and some small shrubs without water, and they are formed of sharp pointed coral fragments.
Mast Island {Vile au Jfdt),^ thus called because we found there a top-mast, fifty feet long, which was of pine, and which had never been fitted. This islet is at least a league in circumference, with a little scrub upon it, as well as tortoises, but without water, because it is quite flat, and is almost wholly composed of lime- stone. It IS also full of (Fuls and Fotiqnets) Noddies and Shearwaters.
Noddy and Shearwater Island {i'tle aux Fols et FouquetsY is one league in circuit ; it is flat, and composed of limestone ; there are some shrubs upon it. The Noddies and Shearwaters are here in great quantity, as also {Eqiierets) Terns.' It is covered with the eggs of these birds.
1 The graude tie is now known as Crab Island, which rises, in its centre, 120 ft. west of Coral Point. All these islets are near the main island to the S. \V.
- The seven small islets include those named Pianqui I. and JMiscl I., and various small uncovered rocks south of the former. The largest would be Pianqui.
3 L'ileau Mat, now marked on the chart as Gombrani Island, perhaps meant at one time as Gouvernail I. Tliis is the longest of all the islets, and now has some huts on it ; at the southern end it rises about twenty feet.
4 Vile aux Fuls et Fomjuets, now known as Pierrot I., a broader islet than Gombrani, of the same altitude, and -with some fishermen's huts thereon, with coco palms. Its modern name, Sparrow I., denotes that small birds frequent it.
^ Equertls, probably OitycJwprion ancifitlueluiy, Edwards ; riile infra.
RELATION DE l'ILE KODRIGUE. 327
Flat Island (Vile Plate),^ which is to the south of the last ; there is nothing on it, and it is also of limestone and very small. There are meanwhile some small birds which live on fish.
Rocky Island (I'Ue de Roche)" is thus named because there is no soil upon it; there are, nevertheless, some shrubs which grow on the rocks ; there are some tortoises also, as well as sea-fowl (oiseaux j^^cheurs) ; it is slightly elevated, and may be a quarter- of- a-1 eag u e round.
Of the birds which live on fish there are thirteen sorts, to wit :
The Frigate,'' which, when it goes to fish, which does not often happen, goes to a great distance, "20, 25, 30 leagues away.
The Ox-birds {Ba'v.fs)^ are of the size of a large capon ; their plumage is all white, excepting some feathei'S of the wings and tail, which are black ; it has a beak about five inches in length, and which conies to a point at the end, and within it is like a saw. They call it Bauf because it cries like an ox ; it often makes a noise with its wings in flying, that one would say it was a hurri- cane if he continued it as he is passing. They lay generally on the branches of trees, where they make their nests, and the male and the female sit on the egg in turn — for they only produce one
1 South of Pierrot I. lies Flat Island, at the entrance of Passe Platte, one of the several narrow openings in the edge of the reef, wliich are used by fishermen to get to the deep water fishing-grounds. Cotton, Gossypinm harhadcnse, introduced from the wreck of an American ship, now almost covers this islet ; also Balfour mentions Stcnotaphruin stiblatum as only growing on Gombrani and Pierrot Islands. Zoysia pungens is also noticed as common on the sandy and coral islets on the reef . . .. {I. c, p. 384). Such plants also as Surianamaritima, Pcmphls ac'ulula, Oldenlandia Sieberi, Tourncfortia arycntia, Ipoimsa fragrant, I. kiicaiilha, Lycium teniie, Myopornm Maiiritiannw, specially occur.
2 L'llede Roche, now called Hermitage Island, described by Finlay as small and rocky, stands in the centre of the harbour of Port South- East. The highest point of the south end is 80 ft. high, and one of the Transit stations was established on the north part of it.
3 Vide supi-a, p. 325.
■* This bird, writes Milne-Edwards, is probably a Fan (booby), perhaps the S>da Cajjensis. There is a sandpiper called Ox-bird,
328 APPENDIX.
The Tra-tra (Booby), ^ so called because it always cries thus, is a bird which is uot so large as the Boeuf, aud has a beak approaching that of the Bocuf; it is of grey colour, a little white under the belly. It roosts and makes its nests in the trees, and sits in turn ; but it is in greater numbers than the Booufs. When they are small they are all white, and the beak all black ; and when they are full-grown, they are grey and the beak greenish. The Frigate does not approach them when they are settled on the ground, or on the trees, or in the water, when they defend them- selves; and when they are refreshed, they take tlieir flight to go to the spot where their nest is, and scarcely ever make a mis- take when they arrive. One sees them come in prodigious numbers, from four o'clock in the evening until night.
The Noddy {FoVf is, as I have said, of the size of a small pigeon ; it goes to fish at two leagues distance at the farthest.
The Shearwater is of the same colour as the Noddy, but a little larger, and has the beak longer and hooked, like the Frigate. It does not go far to fish, and generally does not go except at night. There ai-e some who affirm that it cannot fly be- cause the light dazzles its sight. I have, indeed, seen them by day fly about without taking their direct way. They are in the holes of the rocks, and they cry like small infants. At night, when they go to fish, I have knocked over many on shore in this manner ; when they come out of their hole, aud one hears them cry, he must have a dry branch of palm and all of a sudden set alight to it, and when they see the light they tumble on the ground ; on the other hand, if they do not see it they continue their way.
There are Hill-shearwaters (Fouquets de moniagne),^ but very few ; I have only seen them flying, therefore I cannot speak particularly of them ; they nest in the holes in the ground and on the top of the mountain.
The Terns {Mauvettes) are in small numbers, and do not go to
1 Tra-tra, perhaps the Sttla i>iscator.
2 Probably the Aiwus stolid tm; vide supra.
^ These birds arc probably auotlicr species of shearwater.
RELATION DE L'ILE HODPJGUE. 329
fish at more than a league away. I have not been able to discover where they lay their eggs.
There are many Boatswain birds {Paille-en-queicey which are all white, and others of white red. The Boatswain-birds nest or- dinarily in the holes of the cliflF or in the hollow trees which abound, especially the Benjoin.^
There ai'e some Curlew (Corlieux),^ which fish along the shore and at low tide on the reefs, where there remain some pools of water and small fishes. I have not killed any of them, because they do not let one approach them ; on the contrarj'-, when they see people they take their flight, uttering cries.
There are also some birds which they call in France Equerets^ They are of the size of a pigeon ; beneath the belly it is white as well as under their wings ; the back is black, and the coverts of their wings the same; the beak, two or three iuchcs long, is pointed. They are on the islets which are to the south of the main island, and there lay their eggs.
There is another small bird,^ which is of the size of a hoopoe, which is quite white, and the back black. They are also on the islets to the south of the island ; they ai'e but few^ in number.
The bird which we have named Sentinelled : it is one in fact, for directly it perceives any one approach, it takes to flight, crying without cessation. It is not possible to approach nearer than sixty paces. It fishes on the bank of the streams and marshes ; it is of dark colour mingled with light grey ; it is a little larger than a hoopoe, and is not in great numbers.
1 Phaeton plioenicurus et Phaeton Jiavirostris.
2 Bois charron, Terminalia Benzoiu, an endemic IMascarene species, occurs abundantly. (Balfour, I. c, p. 340.) Balfour, writing of the Nyctaginacex, describes the Bois mapou as a tree very abundant on a small ledge of coralline limestone, on the west side of Frigate Island, where it is the favourite nesting-place of the Fou (J. c, p. 365 ; vide fSiipra, p. 326).
^ Curlew. Couvlis, Numenius j^hasopus {^colopax phxopus, Linn.). •* Equcrets^ or QuerclSj possibly the Ferrets mentioned by Leguat. Probably, says Milne-Edwards, VOnijchoprion anasthatus. » Oyyis Candida, Wagl. <* Sentlnclle, a species of Heron ; Butoridcs atricapilla, perhaps.
330 APPENDIX.
There are some soa-larks {Aloudtes tie mer),'^ but very few.
The eggs of all these birds are very good to eat, as also their flesh, but it has an oily taste.
The land-tortoise is very abundant. It is not very fat, owing to the great number of them and the dearth of grass ; it eats leaves and the fruit of the trees, which the wind causes to drop on the ground. Tliere are tortoises of three species, and the largest which I have seen are from three feet to three feet eight inches in length of shell. They are not so common in the heights as in the ravines, on account of the dearth of water in dry seasons.
The island is, as I have said, mountainous on the east side and in the middle ; but ou the west side it is flat. The mountains are intersected by valleys and ravines, which have a winding course of a league within the mountains, and which widen towards the sea- coast, on v.'hich account the fresh water, in the dry seasons, is lost before reaching the lower end, and there is no water but above in the pools. There is very little cultivable soil ; all the ravines which are around the island share in it, some more, others less ; and of almost all these recesses, thei'e are scarcely any but are inundated by fresh water, and sea water in the hurricane season. It would be possible, however, to prescribe limits to the sea and prevent it coming within these localities with a little trouble. The most considerable of these valleys, in the first place, is half-a-league to the west of the Pointe du Sel, which has perhaps about fifty toises in area. The soil in this locality is about five feet in depth.
The large valley has, perhaps, about thirty to forty square toises of good soil ; the sea comes up \QYy far in high tides, gales, and hurricanes.
The habitations of Fran9ois Leguat^ may have about forty toises square. I speak of square, although the ground is not so ; it is only the estimate that I make. Quite close to the settle ments which I have just named is a flat piece of land to the south of a sandbank, which is near the settlements.
Aloueite de met; a term applied to all small sea sandpiper or plover, so called. ^ Vide s'ljna, pp. 50, 64.
RELATION DE l'ILE KODRIGUE. ' 331
\Here folloiv details on the localities ivhere cultivable ground exists."]
Large timber is not common in Rodrigue island, for the finest are not more than fifty feet high, and most of them are not straight. I here give their names as they arc called in Bourbon, and commence with those which are in the greatest number, to wit : —
Bois roxuje^ which is very lai'go, but it is not high, and bcai'ing branches fit to make ships' timbers (menibres de vaisseaujc, perhaps membni7'€s ?).
£ois jj?<a?i^^ is neither large nor high, but throws out its branches below ; then, growing upward, it forms an agreeable shade. This is the wood most fit for making the ribs of ships. I have seen one of these trees cover w-ith its branches nearly sixty paces of ground.
Benjoin^ is in large numbers, and exudes gum like that of ile Bourbon. The largest which I have seen are from forty to fifty feet in length, and two fathoms and a half in circumfei'ence ; but these are rare, considering that they are for tlie most part twisted, and rotten at the heart, whilst there arc plenty of other small Benjoins, which grow even in the rocks.
There are numbers of trees which they call Afotiche* (Afourche?). These have no trunk, and are full of strong branches : they have a gum, white as milk.
Tliere is a large quantity of Bois d'ebene^^ about thirty to forty feet high, and one fathom and a half in thickness (in circum- ference 1).
There is a little Bois de fer^; it is neither high nor straight, and is not found everywhere.
1 Bois rouge., probably the 5o2s d'olive rouge (Elaeodendron orientale) {Balfour, p. 334.)
^ Bois puant ; the modern hois puant^ is the Fcelidia mavritiana. {Balfour, p. 341.)
3 Benjoin. Terminalia mauritiana.
* AjI'ouchr. La fouclie romje, or La fouchc petite feuillc. Ficus rubra, var. amblyphylla. {Balfour, p. 368.)
s Bois d'ebeiie. Diospyros divcrsifolia. {Balfour, p. 355.)
" Bois de fer. Eugeuia cotinifolia. {Balfour, p. 341.)
332 APPENDIX.
Bois de sentexir^ is here in small quantity.
Bois de Neff'^ is found in great nunibei's, and more commonly on the mountains than elsewhere; it is not large, and is all twisted.
A tree is found which they call, at Bourbon, La Face de Judas^ in small quantity.
The Bois de Buis* is common here, and very small ; the parrots eat its seeds.
There is not much Bois de 2)om})ie,^ and it is good for nothing.
There are some Bois de Benette,^ which are small tufted shrubs, the highest of which may be four or five feet.
There are very few trees fit for building; some rafters of moderate- sized houses aud some poles, and they are not very straight.
There are Lataniers"^ tlji'oughout the island, and more frequently in the valleys and in the ravines ; there are three sorts.
The Palmistes are in greater quantity than any one of the other trees, as well as the Latauiers ; both one and the other are everywhere.
There is another species of Pahniste, which they call at Bourbon Falmiste-poison. ^
A quantity of sn)all trees is found, which they call at Bourbon Plns,^ W'ith which they make mats and bags. These trees ore in height about ten feet, and which form a round parasol (^xtr en haul), which they seem to have shaped expressly, for one leaf does
1 Bois de sentitr. Modern Bois senli^ Scutia Commcrsonii. {Daljoiir, p. 334.)
2 Bois de Nfff, or Bois de Nefle ; Labourdounaisia revoluta.
3 La face de Judas. Professor Balfour cannot identify this tree.
■* Bois de Buis. Murraya exotica, or, perhaps, Bois de quivi, Quivisia laciuiata, now Bois halais. (Balfour, p. 333.)
^ Bois de pomme, Sideroxijlon sp., one of the Sapotaccse. {Dalfoar, p. 355.)
6 Bois de Reiictte, Bois de nalte. Imbricaria maxima.
7 Lalaniers. Vide anle, p. 62.
* Palmistes. Vide ante, p. 62. Areca jauuatre {A. lulesceifi) was considered poisonous at Bourbon.
^ Pins, i.e., screw- pines. Paudani various. Vide supra, p. 103.
RELATION DE l'ILE RODRIGUE. 333
not go beyond another. One is able to shelter oneself beneath, the snn's rajs not being able to penetrate below, so tufted are they, and their leaves so well arranged.
Bois blanc et rouge^ are rare.
Boisi d'epongt^ is not altogether so rare as the preceding.
There are, besides, other trees and shrubs of which I know not the names.
There is found a little Chiendent,^ and also Capillaire.
Buis de demoiselle* is rather rare. The small birds cat the seeds of it.
There is found a little of the Bois de Lostan,^ which strongly resembles the Bois de coudre,^ which is in France.
[This Belafion, proceeds M. IMilne-Edwards, enables me to deter- mine that forty years after the de})arture of Leguat, the fauna of Rodriguez still included all the ornithological types, so interesting to science, described by that traveller, and that their extinction is posterior to that date. It gives us, as well, details of the manners, forms, and colours of several species whose existence I had ascertained, with their zoological affinities, from their bone remains alone, and it confirms the results at which I had arrived. It deals successively with the Solitaires, and the birds which I have made known under the names Erythyomachiis Leguati, Ardea megace- phala, Athene nnirivora, and of Necroiisittacus rodericanusj^
LAND BIRDS. ^
The Solitaire is a large bird, which weighs about forty or fifty pounds. They have a very big head, with a sort of frontlet, as if
' J3ois blanc, et rouge.
2 Bois il'eponye. Gastonia cutispougia. (Dal/our, p. 344.)
3 Chiendent. Cynodon Dactijhn. Capillaire. Adiantuin CapiUus Veneris. {Balfour, pp. 384, 386.) Vide supra, p. 324.
* Bois de demoiselle, Kirganelia virgiuea. Pliyllanthus Casticns, now called castique. (Balfour, p. 3C9.) 5 Bois dc Losta. Nuxia verticillata. ^ Coudricr, the filbert or hazel.
7 Annates des Sciences Naturelles.
8 Vide Translation and Coaimonts of Professor Alfred Newton, F.R.S., in Proceedings of Zoological Society, 1875.
334 APPENDIX.
of black velvet. Their feathers are neither feathers nor fur ; they are of a light grey colour, with a little black on their backs. Strutting proudly about, cither alone or in pairs, they preen their plumage or fur with their beak, and keep themselves very clean. They have their toes furnished with very hard scales, and run with quickness, mostly among the rocks, where a man, however agile, can hardly catch them. They have a very short beak, of about an inch in length, which is sharp. They, nevertheless, do not attempt to hurt anyone, except when they find some one before them, and, when hardly pressed, try to bite him. They have a small stump \_sicoty chicot .?] of a wing, which has a sort of bullet at its extremity, and serves as a defence. They do not fly at all, having no feathers to their wings, but they flap them, and make a great noise with their wnngs when angry, and the noise is something like thunder in the distance. They only lay, as I am led to suppose, but once in the year, and only one egg. Not that I have seen their eggs, for I have not been able to discover where they lay. But I have never seen but one little one alone with them, and, if any one tried to approach it, they would bite him very severely. These birds live on seeds and leaves of trees, which they pick up on the ground. They have a gizzard larger than the fist, and what is surprising is that there is found in it a stone of the size of a hen's egg, of oval shape, a little flattened, although this animal cannot swallow anything larger than a small cherry-stone. I have eaten them ; they are tolerably well tasted.
[Professor Newton remarks that between the time of Leguat and that of the writer the ill-fated bird seems to have leai-nt to resent injurious treatment by biting, and that the black velvet- like frontal band is a feature not mentioned by the older author.]
[Compare above with Cauchc's account.]
GBLINOTTE.
There is a sort of bird, of the size of a young hen, which has the feet and the beak red. Its beak is a little like that of the curlew, excepting that it is slightly thicker and not quite so long. Its plumage is spotted with white and grey. They generally feed
RELATION DE L ILE RODRIGUE. 335
on the eggs of the land tortoises, which they find in the ground, which inakes them so fat that they often have difficulty in running. They are very good to eat, and their f\xt is of a yellowish red, which is excellent for pains. They have small jjinions, without feathers, on which account they cannot fly ; but, on the other hand, they run very well. Their cry is a continual whistling. When they see any one who pursues them they produce another sort of noise, like that of a person who has the hiccup.
[From the similarity of coloration we may, I think (saj's Professor Newton), without much risk of error, identify the bird of which these particulars are given with the Gelinotte of Leguat, Erythromaclms Legnati of Milne-Edwards, and proved by Sir Edward Newton to belong to the Rallidai — a determination which possibly may explain its unexpected egg-eating propensities.]
There are not a few Butors, which are birds which only fly a very little, and run uncommonly well when they are chased. They are of the size of an egret, and something like them.
[These bitterns arc, no doubt, the Ardea megaccphala of M. Milne-Edwards, and the passage is a remarkable corroboration of that naturalist's opinion that the species was brevipcnnate, though it had not entirely lost the power of flight. (See p. 81.) — A. N.]
A little bird is found which is not very common, for it is not found on the mainland. One sees it on the islet au Mat, which is to the south of the main island, and I believe it keeps to that islet on account of the birds of prey which are on the mainland, as also to feed with more focility on the eggs of the fishing birds which feed there, for they feed on nothing else but eggs or some turtles dead of hunger, which they well know how to tear out of their shells. These birds are a little larger than a blackbird, and have white plumage, part of the wings and tail black, the beak yellow as well as the feet, and make a wonderful warbling. I say a warbling, since they have many and altogether different notes. We brought up some with cooked meat, cut up very small, which they eat in preference to seeds.
[I am at a loss to conjecture what these birds were, unless^ possibly, of some form allied to Fregihipus. — A. N.]
33G APPENDIX.
PARROTS AND SMALL RIRDS.
The parrots ai*e of three kinds, and in numbers. The largest are larger than a pigeon, and have a tail very long, the head large as well as the beak. They mostly come on the islets which are to the south of the island, where they eat a small black seed, which produces a small shrub whose leaves have the smell of the orange tree, and come to the mainland to drink water. The second species is slightly smaller and more beautiful, because they have their plumage green like the preceding, a little more blue, and above the wings a little red as well as their beak. The third species is small and altogether green, and the beak black. [Of these three species of parrot, the first can, without danger be referred to the NecropsiUacus Rodericanus, determined by M. Milne-Edwards from bones sent him by my brother (Sir E. Newton) [see p. 85], and doubtless quite extinct ; the second is unques- tionably Paheornis exsnl, described by myself (see p. 84), which has lingered into our own times ; and the third is the species of Agapornis, known still to exist in Rodriguez, and thought by my brother to be A. cana. (Ibis, 1865, p. 149.)^]
The doves there are in great numbers, but on the mainland very few are seen, because they go to feed on the islets to the south, as well as the parrots, and come to drink likewise on the mainland. A bird is seen which is very like the brown owl, and which eats the little birds and small lizards. They live almost always in the trees ; and when they think the weather fine, they utter at night always the same cry. On the other hand, when they find the weather bad they are not heard.
[This is evidently the Athene murivora of Milne-F^d wards.]
There are plenty of goldfinches, which have a sweet warbling. Some wagtails are to be seen, with some other small birds, which have very sweet notes, but they are ever on the look-out for the birds of prey, which are the owls of which I have before spoken,
[The goldfinches may well be referred to Foudia Rodericana,
* Professor A. Newton, in Pr. Zool. Society, I. c. ; also 7/y/,s, 1872, p. 33. Vide post, p. 337. Ann. des Sc. Nat. Zool, Ser. 5, viii, pp. 145-56.
RELATION DE l'ILE EODEIGUE. 337
discovered by Mr. Newton (vide infra) ; and among the other little birds was probably included Drymceca flavicans (?).]
PAL.EORNIS EXSUL.
Professor Newton refers in the Ihis^ to "the passage in Leguat's narrative (see ante, p. 53), where he mentions the consolation that traveller and his companions found in the abundance of Per- roquets. In the first passage he records their predilection for the nuts of a tree somewhat like an olive ; in the second (i, p. 84), he speaks of their being ' verds c& hletis, sur tout de mediocre & d'egale grosseur', and having flesh not less good than that of young Pigeons ; in tlie third (p. 105), he states that some of them were instructed by his companj', and that they took one, which spoke French and Flemish, with them to Mauritius.
" The second of the passages is so vague as to raise the question whether there were green parakeets and blue parakeets, or only parakeets possessing a combination of both colours, and the solution of the doubt would require the discrimination of keen judges. . . .
" Pingre, who was in Rodriguez in 1761, writes (p. 195) : ' La perruche me semblait beaucoup plus delicat.' [He had just been mentioning the esculent qualities of a species of Pferojms.'] * Je n'aurais regrette aucuu gibier de France, si celui-ci eut ^te plus commuu a Rodrigue : mais il commence a devenir rare. II y a encore moins de perroquets quoiqu'il y en ait eu encore autrefois en assez grande quantite, selon Fr. Leguat, et en effet une petite isle au sud de Rodrigue a encore conserve le nom d'Isle aux perroquets.' It would hence appear that there was a "■ perruch^ and a ^ perroquet'', though unfortunately Pingre does not say what either was like.
"In 1864 Mr. Edward Newton observed a flock, and obtained an example of what he believed to be Agapornis carta (vide infra), a species introduced, no doubt, since Leguat's time. In 1867 M. Edwards described a fragment of a parrot's OTrt.r?7/a found with
1 " On au Undescribed Bird from the Island of Rodriguez," by Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S. (Ibis, 1872, p. 31.)
Z
338 APPENDIX.
the bones of the Solitaire (vide infra). The large size of this bird {PsittacAis rodericanusl),^ equally with the small size of the Af/apornis, precludes cither from being the '2)erroqnet' charac- terised by Leguat as of ' mediocre grosseur\ and again mentioned by Pingro.
In 1871 Mr. Newton received from Mr. Jenner, the magistrate
of Rodriguez, an example of a ' parrot' preserved in spirit
and Professor Newton, in full confidence that it had never been named or described, characterised it as Pahenmis, thus :
"'Pal^ornis ^^^Mh, sp. n. Diagn. (foimince). P. mediocris griseiglaucus, vitta menii obscura nigra, remigihus externe caruleo lavatis, interne nigris. Hub. in insida Rodericana '
" In the belief that in this glaucous bird we see one of the ' Perroquets verds <b hlciis' of Leguat, 1 have chosen a name for it which may help to commemorate the first writer who seems to have observed it, and in bestowing upon it the appellation of Palceornis exsid, have had in my mind the exile through whose means we arc in some degree acquainted with the marvellous original fauna of the island which was to him productive of so much happiness, as a i^relude to so much misery."
To continue, however, the remarks of M. ]\Iilnc-Ed\vards : —
" The liehitioa MS. distinctly indicates that the ornithological fauna of Rodriguez had not undergone any notable modification during the first part of the eighteenth centurj^ since the species noticed by Leguat still existed in 1730. We know, on the other hand, that when the astronomer Pingre stayed in this island in 1761, the Solitaires there had become so rare that that savant only spoke of them from hearsay, not having observed any him- self." M. Milne-Edwards adds, that "he (Pingre) gives no in-
1 " The pcrruche of Pingro may be set down as the sjiccics indicated by M. INIilne-Edwards. The naturalists attaclied to the Transit Expe- dition having returned from Rodriguez without procuring a specimen of the cock bird of this species, although one was seen by Mr. Shiter, which will be found to have a red bill and a red star patch, according to the manuscript Relation de Vile Itodrigue, already cited." A plate showing the characteristics of the hen bird was i^ublished by Professor Newton in the Jbis for July 1875, which is reproduced at page 85.
RELATION DE l'iLE EODRIGUE. 339
formation about the other land -birds. There is reason, then^ for supposing that the extinction of these species, which probably commenced at the date of Leguat's stay, progressed with an ever- increasing rapidity, and attained its maximum between 1730 and 1760.
" The documents forwarded to the Minister of Marine leave no more doubt on this subject^ and, thanks to them, not only can we, so to speak, assist at the destruction of one of the animals which was formerly in abundance at Rodriguez (I mean the terrestrial tortoises), but render as well a fair account of the causes for their disappearance. The causes which have led to their extinction are, in all probability, those which have also extirpated the birds.
" We see in the reports addressed to the Compagnie des Indes, and preserved in the archives of the Ministry of Marine, that the Island Rodriguez was considered as a sort of magazine of supplies, not only for the Isles of France and of Bourbon, but also for the ships which frequented these seas. They came regularly to find the tortoises. Already, in 1726 or 1727, M. Lenoir, during his visit to the Isle of France, wu-ote to the Council of the French East India Company : —
" ' It cannot be permitted that ships going to the Indies, and returning thence, should go without hindrance to despoil the neighbouring islets of the land-tortoises ; and it is necessary to prohibit captains from sending their boats to take them, unless the commandant of the island gives permission, and gives the number wliich they may take away.' ^
*' Butchers' meat is often scarce in the Isle of France, and we find that by degrees a regular service of supply from Rodriguez was organised. The different Governors frequently despatched ships which returned laden with tortoises, and which had no other destination. In 1737 M. de la Bourdonnais organised expeditions of this kind ; but he has not left an exact account of them, and wc cannot judge of their importance. On the other hand,
1 Manuscript documents collected under the title of Code of the hie of France, 1556 a 1768. {Archives de la Marine.)
Z 2
340 ATI'ENDIX.
M. Desforges-Boncher, in liib reports addressed to the Company from 1759 to 17G0, enumerates not only the ships employed in this service, but also the number of tortoises received and carried away by each of them. Four small vessels — la 'Mignonne, VOiseau, le Volant, and la Penelope — were at this time almost universally employed for transporting tortoises, and an officer resided at Rodriguez for superintending them."
M. Milne-Edwards had not space to reproduce at length^ the reports of M, Dcsforges-Bouclier, in which he speaks of these expeditions. It is sufficient for him to tell us that he has calcu- lated, from the incomplete accounts of these importations, that M. Boucher exported from Rodriguez in less than eighteen months more than thirty thousand (30,000) land-tortoises. When we consider the small extent of this islet, it is not wonderful that these animals, formerly so plentiful, have completely disappeared j in spite of their fecundity, they could not resist such means of destruction.
What M. Milne-Edwards states about the tortoises equally applies, he says, to the land-birds. " It is evident that the sailors were not sparing in following and killing them. These species, the capture of which was rendered easy by the small develop- ment of their wings, at the same time that the delicacy of their flesh made them sought for, tended to their speedy extinction. In order to explain their extirpation, it is not, then, necessary to invoke changes in the biological conditions. The action of man has amply sufficed; it has been there exercised without hindrance, and with greater facility than anywhere else ; it continues on many other points of the globe, and at the present day one can foresee the period when many apterous birds and large cetaceans, and certain species of Phocse and Otaries, will be extinguished by man."
1 Some extracts from the reports are given in a note, an example of which will here suffice :— " 1751), IG Dccbr., the raiclupe arrives from Rodriguez with 1035 land tortoises and 47 turtles. The cargo was of 5,00(1 of the former and 50 of the latter ; but a passage of eight days reduced the number to the f(;w which she brings.''
c.
NOTES FROM A MEMOIR ON THE ANCIENT FAUNA
OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS/
By M. a. Milne-Edwards.
M. Milne-Edwards' remarks on the ancient fauna of Eodriguez are so important, as confirming and illustrating Leguat's veracity and exactitude, that they cannot well be omitted. He wi-ites : —
" The Island of Rodriguez, although inhabited at the time when Leguat lived there, seemed, from his accounts, to have a rich vegetation and a varied fauna, whereas to-day the animals there are almost entirely wanting, and its products hardly suffice for the need of a small number of negroes whom the traders of Mauritius keej") there for their fishing operations. A change so completely effected in less than two centuries appeared im- probable, and the veracity of Leguat was doubted.
"Nevertheless, the assertions of this naturalist deserve to be received with confidence ; for the remains belonging to some extinct species, and discovered a few years ago in the cave eai'ths of the island, must be considered as so many irrefutable witnesses of the exactitude of his observations.
"The interesting investigations of MM. Strickland and Melville, in 1848, and next of Messieurs Newton on the bird, which Leguat called the Solitaire, initiated the scientific rehabilitation of this travellei", and in a memoir published some years since I have shown that conformably to his assertions there has formerly existed at Rodriguez some great parrots, of which the species at the present day exists neither in this island nor on any other point of the globe. . . .
" The diggings carried out under the direction of Mr. Edward Newton have brought to light many other analogous remains, and from their examination I am enabled to declare that besides the Solitaires and the great parrots, of which I have just sjjoken, there existed many other birds corresponding with the zoological
' Ann. Sc. Nat. Zool., Ser. 5, viii, pp. 145 et scq.
342 APPENDIX.
types which Leguat observed at Rodriguez in 1G9], but wliich no louger exist in our days."
Among the bone and fragments found in the caves side by side with the remains of the Pezophaps or Solitaire, M. Milne- Edwards discovered " portions of the skeleton of a small fowl, some- what resembling the wingless rail [Ocydromi) of New Zealand, and, like that bird, incapable of flying, of which the metatarsus more resembled that of Aphanapteryx of Mauritius than of Tribonyx.
"At the present day there does not exist at Rodriguez any bird having the least resemblance with the Ocydromi, or the other species of the same family ; but all the osteological characters which I have just pointed out agree very well with the idea that can be formed of certain birds which inhabited this island in great numbers some two centuries ago, and which Leguat noticed under the name of Gelinoles.
" These were evidently not moor- hens, and they could not belong to this zoological grouj), for they had, according to Leguat, their beak long and straight and pointed, something like that of the Ocydromi, and, like those rails, they were hardly able to fly ; a peculiarity which is not observable with any other bird whose beak is shaped in this form. They also resembled the Ocydromus by a physiological singularity. ' If you offer them anything that is red, they are so angry that they will fly at you to catch it out of your hand, and in the heat of the combat we had an opportunity to take them with care.' {Vide ante, p. 81.)
" Now, I have observed the same instinct w-ith the Ocydromi of the menagerie at the Museum of Natural History, and an English traveller, who has lived a long time in New Zealand, Mr. Strange, informs us that the best manner of catching these rails is to place oneself right in their sight, holding in the hand a piece of red stuff; for as soon as they perceive it, they throw themselves upon it, and allow themselves to be killed rather than be driven from the object which excites their anger. I should add that this instinct has been established and utilised in the same manner with the Aphanapteryx, which bird towards the end of the 17th century was living in Mauritius, but the species of which has nowadays disappeared.
ANCIENT FAUNA OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 343
'* It seems to me, therefore, very probable that the rail whose bones are yet found at Rodriguez is the same bird as that which Leguat designated under the name of Gelinote ; and as its anatomical characters do not allow of classifying it in any of the genera formerly established, I shall denote it under the name of Erythromaclms, in order to record one of its peculiar manners noticed by this traveller. The description which Leguat gives tells us also that Erythromachm had a grey plumage for both sexes, and a red border around the eye.
" The different bones which we have been able to study indicate to us the relative proportions of the principal jiarts of the body, and, thanks to the description of Leguat, we can fill in the gaps which pala3ontological science alone finds wanting, and thus characterise the bird of Rodriguez :
"Family, oi Ocydromidce ; Genus, Erythromm-lnii^ ; sp. Erythro- machus Leguati . . . This bird ought to feed on worms, insects, and molluscs.
" The difl'erence of beak prevents Erythromachus being placed in the same genus as Apkcmapferyx, as well as the height of its feet. From other considerations the vague genus, Aptoruis, advocated by M. de Selys-Longchamps, cannot be adopted."
Butors or Herons.— " The fossil remains submitted to my examination," writes M. Milne-Edwards, " by Professor A. Newton, enable me to determine also that the family of Herons, at tlie present day unknown at Rodriguez, was formerly represented by a singular species with a large head, massive beak, and short feet : I have been able, almost entirely, to reconstruct the skeleton of this wader, and I do not doubt that this bird was that wliich Leguat mentions under the name of Etitor." (Vide ante, p. 210.) " This bird is not a veritable Butor ; but its head is so large and Its feet so short that one understands how Leguat had referred it to this species. . . .
" The fossil skull of this Rodriguez bird presents the character- istics of the Herons, but it is distinguished, by its massive appearance, from all the other known species.
" This new species has been named Ardea viegacephala.
" A fresh proof of the veracity of Leguat, and of the considerable
344 APPENDIX.
cliange which has taken place in the avifauna of Rodriguez in the course of only two centuries, has been furnished by the bones of some nocturnal birds, whose existence I have determined. At the present time no bird of prey is known in tliis locality ; but when Lcguat resided there, the nocturnal rapacious birds were in sufficiently great numbers to assist actively in the destruction of the rats witii whicli the island was infested. (See p. 212.)
" Mr. E. Newton has recovered in the caves of Rodriguez some bones, by whose help we can describe the size and affinities of these Strigides, These bones belong to two species; one of these, sufficiently characterised by a tibia and metatarsus, appears to me to belong to the genus sparrow-owl, or Athene. The bones do not quite correspond with those of Athene superciliaris of Madagascar (Vieillot), or A. Polleni (Schlegel), or Ninox madagascariensu. This owl probably constitutes a new species (it is possible it yet survives at Rodriguez ?), and I projjose to give it the name of Strix [Athene') murivora.
" Another species, less well characterised . . ., I am disposed to consider as approaching the Eagle Owls (Grands Dues).
" The other terrestrial birds of which Leguat makes mention as living at Rodriguez are : Pigeons, parrots, and a unique species of the group of sparrows. If the pigeons have not entirely dis- appeared from this island, they have become extremely rare, for Mr. Newton, in spite of his investigation, has not been able to see a single individual of them ; but their former existence is de- monstrated by the bone fragments which have been found associated with those of the Solitaire Erythromachus, the herons and the owls, of which I have just spoken. These remains permit me to declare that, formerly, there were two species of pigeons. One is evidently Turtur ^jiduratus, which at present inhabits Mada- gascar and Mauritius, and it is probably to this which the passage ()f Leguat refers, where this traveller says : ' the Pigeons here are somewhat less than oui-s, etc. . . ." (Vide ante, \i. 82.)
The second species of Pigeon has not been recorded by Leguat; but, from the study of a sternum in good preservation, M. Milne- Edwards finds it was different from TuHur, Vinago, and Erythrtjena. It belongs to a species of small size, hardly larger than Culomba
ANCIENT FAUNA OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 345
tymfanistria, but evidently fixr better formed for flight. He has named it Cohimba rodericana. ^
Parrots. — "The parrots observed by Leguat," writes M. A. Milne-Edwards, " were of moderate size ; their plumage was green and blue. They were very abundant, and the flesh of the young ones had an agreeable taste. I have been able to see, according to the manuscripts of Pingre, preserved in the library of Saint Genevieve, that, iu 1761, the date when that astronomer visited the Island of Rodriguez to observe the passage of Venus, these birds had commenced to become rare. Nevertheless, they do not seem to have entirely disappeared, for lately M. Newton has succeeded in procuring a parrot which, in all probability, is a rejiresentative of the species observed by Leguat, for very many bones found in the caverns of the island evidently correspond with it.
" This bird, tpiite distinct from all existing Psittacians, has been described by M. New ton under the name of Palceornis exsid.
"The same ornithologist has ascertained that the Agapornis cana, a small parroquet common to Madagascar and Mauritius, inhabits at the present moment Rodriguez, but the colonists assert that it is of foreign origin, and add that it had been brought by an American ship coming from Madagascar. As to the fossil great parrot of Rodriguez, which I have already made known under the name of Psiitacus rodericanus,' it cannot be connected either
1 Professor Newton described, iu 1879, three skins of the Alcctoroenas nitidissima, the extinct pigeon of Mauritius (the Pigeon Hollandais of Sonnerat, so c;dled from its colours — red, blue, and white), which remain in the museums at Paris, Port Louis, and Edinburgh. He says : " Allied to this are three species which still survive, and are nutivcs of ^ladagascar, the Comoros, and the Seychelles. ... It is possible that Rodriguez once possessed another member of the group, the Colnmha rodericana of M. A. Milne-Edwards ; but we have not received sufficient remains of that species (which is certainly extinct) to decide the point, and the older voyagers give us no help here, as they do iu many other cases." {Pro. ZooJ. Soc, 1879, p. 2.)
2 Puittacus rodericanus. — Among the bones extracted from the recent earthy deposits of the caves in Rodriguez (1861) was found the frag- ment of a mandible, which was submitted by Sir Ed. Newton to Pro-
346 APPENDIX.
with Agaj)ornis cana or Palceornis exsul, and furnishes one proof the more of the changes wrought in the fauna of this island."
Small Birds. — " It is difficult to know if the little birds which Leguat corapares (p. 8-4) to the canaries still live at Rodriguez. Mr. E. Newton has o)ily met with two sparrows in this island, which, although much resembling the Malagasy species, differ sufiBciently frum them to be inscribed in our catalogues under separate names. One of these species or particular races is a Foudia (F. fiavicans), the other a Drymceca (Z>, rodericana), and thev are both remai'kable for a most pleasing song. Indeed, Leguat states positively that the little birds of his island do not sing. It seems to me, then, probable that there was not either Foudia Jlavicans or Drymceca rodericaiui. The introduction of these birds must be of recent date, and I am inclined to think that the sparrows observed by Leguat have undergone the same fate as the Solitaires and Erythrornachi.''''
Ou'nea-Fowls. — " The guinea-fowls did not exist in Rodriguez at the time when Leguat made known to us with such exacti- tude the productions of that island ; but since, these birds have been iutroduced there, and now they live there in a wild state. Thus Colonel Dawkins reports that he found only parrots and a guinea-fowl. But we are ignorant to what species this last bird belonged. However, the bones discovered by Mr. Newton permit me to solve this pi'oblem ; and I am disposed to believe that it is the Nuraida mitrata of Central Africa, and not JViiriiida tiarala, which now lives in Rodriguez."
Flying Foxes.- — " In order to finish with what is relative to terres- trial animals whose remains have been found in the caverns of
fessor Alph. Milne-Edwards. This naturalist easily recognised, at first glance, that this fragment belonged to a parrot, a genus of birds which appeared no longer to exist in Rodriguez. The anterior and middle por- tions of the upper mandible sufficed for the determination of the cha- racteristic type. From the difference of conformation, ]\I. ]\Iilne-Edwards concluded that it was extremely probable that this parrot of Rodriguez, or Psitlacus rodericanus, like that of Mauritius, was allied to the Loris, and has become extinct. (Vide Memoir on a Fos.sv'Z Psitiacian of the Jkiaiul of Rudriyuez, by M. Alph. Milne-Edwards, Paris, 186G.)
ANCIENT FAUNA OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS, 347
Eodriguez, I ought to mention some bones of mammals. I have recognised the domestic cat, a very young pig, a rat (not the brown rat, but the ^fus Alexandrinus) , and numerous (^roussettes) flying foxes.
" Legaat speaks of them (vide ante, p. 85).
" Pingre, who touched at Rodriguez in 1761 on his voyage for the observation of the transit of Venus has given some details of these animals: 'The bats,' he wrote, 'are placed by natu- ralists among the quadrupeds ; those which I have seen at Kodriguez were of the size of a pigeon, but longer. The head I'esembles somewhat that of a fox. The coat is reddish brown (roux), darker on the head and neck than on the rest of the body. The wings are of a dark grey colour ; extended or stretched out, they perhaps have from a foot to a foot-and-a-half in length. Tiiese bats otherwise resemble our European bats ; they are very fat.'
" These animals still live in Rodriguez. They are not Pteropns Edivardsii of Madagascar, which is much larger, or Ptcrojms vtdgaris of Mauritius, whose remains are found with the Dodo, and is also much larger. The flying fox of Rodriguez is a smaller animal, probably Ptei-oincs rubricollis."
Sea Fou'l. — " The sea-birds which frequent the coasts of Rod- riguez are the same which have been there during the last two cen- tiiries. We see, as in the time of Leguat, the Frigates, the Boobies, the Boatswains, and the Petrels. The collection of Mr. E. Newton includes a considerable number of the bones of the Boatswain bird (PaiUe-en-queue), Phaeton candidus.
" Leguat describes with great exactitude these birds (vide ante, p. 83).
" Mingled with the bones of the Phaetons are found numerous remains of (Procellaria) Petrel, and some bones of a Shearwater, probably not different to Pujfinus aterrimus.
" Only one fragment of the humerus of a Frigate and a Cannet (Sula piscator). These birds abound in these seas, and Leguat mentions them " (ante, p. 82).
Extinction of Species. — " It is by comparing the sedentary fauna," writes M. Milne-Edwards, " such as it is at the present
348 APPENDIX.
clay, with the species wliich are revealed by the bones dug out of the earth of the caves, and which Leguat observed, that it is possible to determine that, in less than two centuries, very con- siderable changes have taken place in tlie composition of this fauna, formerly so rich, and now so remarkably poor. The vege- tation there has changed also its character, for the fine trees of which Leguat speaks have for the most part given place to brush- wood. But these modifications are not due either to a geological catastrophe or to special meteorological phenomena, for the climate has not varied. The local traditions attribute the destruc- tion of the woods to great fires occasioned by human agency ; and it is also human influence, either direct or indirect, which seems to me to have brought about the extinction of the animal species which I have described.
" Leguat was one of the first who landed at Rodriguez ; the aboriginal animals were then multiplying in peace : they as yet had no enemies but the rats, whose introduction, due to sailors, was probably recent ; and the birds were so little shy that they let themselves be taken hy tlie hand. Besides, the sailors of the ships which put in to Rodriguez did not fail always to hunt them down. In fact, the work of destruction commenced by the sailors, and by the i-odents, which our ships carried everywhere, was completed, without doubt, when the Europeans established at Rodriguez a small colony of negro slaves, meagrely supplied.
" The climate of Rodriguez has not become unfavourable for the propagation of animal species, since the domestic fowls, the Guinea-fowls introduced by the colonists, breed well, and thrive even in a wild state.
" The disturbance due to the presence of man seems to have sufficed to cause the disappearance from the surfiice of tlie globe for the most part of the sedentary birds, to whom Rodriguez was probably the last refuge. Elsewhere man has been the cause, direct or indirect, of many other phenomena of the same order, and the influence which he has exercised upon the geographical distribution of animal species is more considerable than is gene- rally supposed.
" I have already had occasion to state how the islands of
ANCIENT FAUNA OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 349
Mauritius, Reunion, and Rodriguez, at the date when our navigators first landed there, were in possession of a special fauna, very remarkable by the great wingless birds, unknown in the rest of the world, by gigantic tortoises, by saurians and many other terrestrial animals which could not have arrived there by sea, and which lived there in great numbers.
" This zoological population, so rich, so varied, does not seem as if it could have been born on lands of so restricted an extent ; and considerations, on which I have already insisted, have led me to think tliat these islands must be considered as the remains of a continent whose inhabitants, before completely disappearino- from the surface of the world, have found on the culminating points sunk almost to the level of the sea a last refuge.
" Indeed, from the general character of the aboriginal founa of the Mascarene Islands we can be assured that these presumed lands never connected any of these stations either witli Mada- gascar or Africa, or with India or Australia, for tliere is not seen any one of the animals deprived of wings which characterise the animal populations of these countries. The Malagasy founa is altogether special, but it has, nevertheless, with the New Zealand fauna and that of the Antarctic region, certain points of resem- blance, such as we need not hesitate to class among the southern fauna. It is, then, possible that formerly it might have extended more to the south, and we find ourselves brought to the idea of a great land formerly existing in the part of the Antarctic Ocean occupied at the present day by the immense banks of marine plants, which are designated under the common name of Kelp.
" In the present state of our knowledge, only most vague con- jectures can be formed relating to the ensemble of the fauna of which the animal population of the Mascarene Islands affords us a specimen ; but it is to be hoped that, when the travelled naturalists shall have explored the marshes, the caverns, and sedimentary deposits of the islands, Crozet, Kerguelen, St. Paul, and other points of the same region, they will discover there some fossil remains analogous to those found at Rodriguez or Mauritius, and that by the help of these remains it will be possible to recon-
350 APPENDIX.
struct more completely the extinct population of this region, and to estimate its relations witli the New Zealand fauna, of which it is, perhaps, only a branch."
MR. EDWARD NEWTON'S VISIT.i
Mr. Edward Newton, after a short visit to Rodriguez, October 30, 1^64, in H.M.S. Rapid, wrote : — " The country was covered with grass pi'etty well eaten down by cattle ; here and there were scrubby trees — mostly the resinous hois cV Olive; a Vacoa (Pandanus sp.), different, of course, from anything in Mauritius ; and an acacia, very like A. lehbek. The island is very ■well depicted in ]\lr. Higgins' drawings,^ engraved in The Dodo and its Kindred (Plates iii and iv). It may be generally described as a long-backed range of hills, running from east to ■west, and sending out spurs to the sea-coast. The height in the centre may be from 1,000 to 1,500 feet.
" There is no forest, so far as I could learn ; and the tradition is that it was destroyed by fire some forty or Mty years ago; but this story, I think, must be incorrect, as otherwise, in so short a time, there would surely be some traces of it left, whereas thei-e are none. Moreover, I cannot find that Leguat speaks of it as being anything then beyond what it now is ; and the place of his settlement, with the trees dotted about, as drawn, barring the Solitaires, just as it is now.
" I soon saw the ' yellow bird', -which a negro who was with me called a ' zozo ' (i.e., oiseau) ' du ^Jays', and declared at first to be the only bird in the island. He afterwards admitted the existence of a Perruche, but that, he said, was all." (The yellow bird was perfectly tame, and a distinct and well-marked species of Foudia, F. flavicans,^ with a very pretty song not unlike that of the goldfinch.) " It is exceedingly numerous, and I saw a flock
1 Ihiii, 1865, p. 166 et scq.
2 See photo-lithograph reproduction at p. 4C.
3 Pro. Zoo. Sue, 18G5, p. 46 et scq.
MODERN FAUNA OF THK MASCARENE ISLANDS. 351
of at least one hundred. ... I shot two pah-, and had them skinned
" Soon after I came upon a small flock of Perncches. This was to all appearance identical with the Madagascar species, Agapornis caiia, and as the bird is said to have been introduced into Rod- riguez, I have no doubt it is so.
" Going on to a hill where the negro said there were wild Gruinea- fowl, I heard a melodious whistle. On my asking the Creole what the bird was, he said, ' Ca memo zozo du pays avec le bee et le queue long-long.' I killed a specimen which I have little doubt is a new species {Drijmoica rodericana). If my supposition (that it is one of the Drymgecina) is right, it will be satisfactory as affording another proof of the connection between the Mascarene Islands and India ; and this will be the case should Rodriguez, the easternmost of them, be found to possess an Indion form which the more western members are without
" I saw, as I think, a Curlew {Numenms arquaUis), and I had a shot at a Turnstone (Stre^ysilas interpres.)
"On the 2nd November we went inside the reef to the cave on the south-west side of the island. Towai'ds daylight we passed by some islets, from one of which proceeded a clamour like that of a distant crowd — produced, we were told, by the Fotiquets {Puffinus clilororynclms) ; and as the day dawned, I saw several Shearwaters. . . . From another islet harsher sounds were heard, and these w^erc from the Boobies {S%da inscator), just waking up. I could see them sitting on the low bushes, while others were starting off for their day's fishing. . . .
" About six o'clock we landed, and at once walked up to the first cave, about a quarter of a mile inland. This part of the island appears to be quite flat, and one mass of rock. The cave was much the same as all other caves — plenty of stalactites and stalagmites ; the width about fifty feet, the height from twenty to seventy feet, the floor nearly flat, and generally covered with a fine deep sand, perfectly dry. Near the entrance were a few crumbling pieces of land-tortoise shells, which fell to pieces on being jjicked up. . . We then sailed back some three miles, and : —
" About eleven o'clock we started for another cave. We went
352 APPENDIX.
up a small rivulet with steep sides, the water in which was brackish and quite undrinkable by itself, and amid a grove of thick fan-palms. Here I saw the only forest trees I came across ; they were hois cVoUve, and perhaps sixty or seventy feet high, and three or four in circumference at six feet from the ground. I picked up a shell or two of a land-tortoise and two bones. . . ." Mr, Newton heard of a Serin, a Bengali, and a Dove. Tliere were certainly no hawks, or " merles," or swallows. Of sea birds there were Noddies and Sooty Terns, Shearwaters, Boobies, and Frigate- birds. Wild Guinea-fowls were common. " Of Dodo's remains, no one knew anything more than that — ' long temps passi, di monde, n'a pas conne qui, fin viui rode pour li' — which, being inter- preted, means ' in long time ago, someone, I know not who, came and looked for it' — and this was all the information that could be got."
Notice of a Memoir on the Osteology of the Solitaire, or Didine Bird of the Island of Rodrigxiez, by Professor Alfred Keivton, F.li.S., and Mr. Edward Newton, M.A., Auditor -General of Mauritius. (Proceedings of the Royal Society, No. 103, p. 428; 1868.) " The Solitaire of Rodriguez was first satisfactorily shown to be distinct from the Dodo of Mauritius (Didns ineptns) by Strickland, in 1844, from a renewed examination of the evidence respecting it, consisting of the account given by Leguat in 1 708, and of the remains seat to France and Great Britain. Strickland, in 1848, further proved it to be generically distinct from the Dodo. The remains existing in Europe in 1852 were eighteen bones, of which five were at Paris, six at Glasgow, five in possession of the Zoolo- gical Society, and two in that of Strickland, who, at the
date last mentioned, described them as belonging to tu'o species, the second of wliich he named Pezophaps minor, from the great difference observable in the size of the specimens. In 1864, Mi*. E. Newton^ visited Rodriguez, and there found in a cave two more
1 One of the authors.
OSTEOLOGY OF THE SOLITAIRE. 353
bones ; while a third was picked np by Captain Barclay at the same time. Mr. Newton urged Mr. Jenner, the magistrate of Rodriguez, to make a more thorough search of the caves, and in 1865 this gentleman sent no less than eighty-one specimens to Mauritius. News of this find reached England during the meeting of the British Association at Birmingham, and, prompted by Mr. P. L. Sclater, that body made a grant to aid further research, and in 1866 a very large collection of the bones of this bird, amounting to nearly two thousand s^ijccimens, was obtained.
" Fezophaps differs from Didunculus quite as much as Didiis does, but it is nearly allied to the latter
" In Pezophaps the bones of the wing are made massive and smoother than in Didus. The most remarkable thing about them however, is the presence of a bony knob^ on the radial side of the metacarpal, unlike what is found in any other bird. It is large in some of the specimens, supposed to have belonged to old males, but very little developed in the presumed females. It is more or less spherical, pedunculate, and consists of a callus-like mass with a roughened surface, exceedingly like that of diseased bone, and was probably covered by a horny integument. It is situated immediately beyond the proximal end and the index, which last would appear to be thrust away by it to some extent. It answers most accurately and most unexpectedly to Leguat's description of it : ' L'os de I'ailei'on grossit a I'extremite, et forme sous la plume une petite masse ronde comme une balle de raousquet.' {Vide ante, p. 78.) ... .
" A comparison of the entire skeleton shows that Pezophaps is in some degree, and perhaps on the whole, intermediate between Didus and the normal Cohimb(V
" Strickland was amply justified in arriving at the conclusion that the Solitaire was generically distinct from the Dodo "
Professor A. and Sir Edward Newton remark upon the different causes of extinction of species within historic time. This, when effected by men's agency, is seldom done by man's will ; and various cases are cited to support this opinion. In extirpating
See photograph of skeleton, frontispiece
A A
354 APPENDIX.
species man generally acts indirectly ; and the}' snccnnib to forces set in motion indeed by him, but without a thought on his part of their effect. In the case of the extinction of the Solitaire of Rodriguez, the cause ixsually suggested seems inadequate ; and the authors consider it was probably effected by feral swine, and quote a remarkable passage from an old French Voyage, showing the extraordinary abundance of these creatures in Mauritius, where, in or about the year 1708, above fifteen hundred had been slain in one day. It is plain that where these pigs abounded, inactive birds could not long survive. It is su2)posed that the case was the same in Rodriguez as in Mauritius ; for in every countiy newly discovered by Europeans, it has been the almost miiversal custom to liberate pigs, and there is no reason to believe that this island was an exception thereto.
The extraordinary fidelity of Leguat's account of the Solitaire is next considered. It is borne out in every point save one, per- haps, by a study of the remains. The rugose surface at the base of the maxilla, tlie convexity of the pelvis, the somewhat lighter weight of the Solitaire than of the Dodo, its capacity for running, and above all, the exti-aordiuary knob on the wing, all agree with the description he has given us. The authors attempt also to account for the origin of this last, by observing that its appear- ance is so exactly tliat of diseased bone, that it may have been first occasioned by injuries received by the birds in such combats with one another as Leguat mentions, and aggravated by the continuance of their pugnacity. The authors remark, also, that it is the habit of pigeons to fight by buffeting with their pinions.
The particular in which Leguat may have erred, is in the assertion, or perhaps inference, as to the monogamous habits of the Solitaire ; and the cause of the error (if such it be) may be ascribed, without derogating from his truthfulness, to his anxiety to point a moral, which may have led him to imagine he saw what he wished to see. He especially mentions that one sex would not fight with the other, which is just what takes place among polygamous birds. The case of a very well-known bird {Otis tarda) is cited to show, that even now, after centuries of observation, it is doubtful -whether it be monogamous or poly-
OSTEOLOGY OF THE SOLITAIRE. 355
gamons. Leguat, therefoi'e, may easily have been mistaken iu his opinion, even setting aside his evident leaning iu the matter. The notion of Pezophaps having been j^olygamous was before entertained by one of the authors, and arises from a consideration of the great difference iu the size of the two sexes, which, in birds, is generally accompanied by polygamous habits ; but the question is now not likely to be solved.
The amount of variability which every bone of the skeleton of this species presents, warrants the conclusion that as much was displayed in those parts of its structure which have perished, letting alone Leguat's direct evidence as to the individual difference iu the plumage of the females.
" If such a process, therefore, as has been teruied ' natural selection', or 'survival of the fittest', exists, there would have been abundant room for it to operate; and there having been only one species o^ Pezophaps might at first sight seem an argument against the belief in such process. . . ."
Messrs. Newton proceed from arguments to show that "a believer in Darwin's theory would be inclined to predicate that, when a small oceanic island like Rodriguez is found tenanted by a single species subject to great individual variability, it would be just under such circumstances that the greatest amount of variability would be certain to occur. In its original state, attacked by no enemies, the increase of the species would only be dependent on the supply of food, which, one year with another, would not vary very much, and the form would continue without any predisposing cause to change, and thus no advantage would be taken of the variability of structure presented by its individuals.
" On the other hand, we may reflect on what certainly has taken place. Of the other terrestrial members of the avifauna of Eodriguez, but few now remain. A small Finch and a ^\'arblcr, both endemic, are the only two land-birds of its original fauna now known to exist. The Guinea-fowl and Love-bird have, in all probability, been introduced from Madagascar ; but the Parrots and Pigeons, of w hich Leguat speaks, have vanished. The remains of one of the first, and the description of the last, leave little room to doubt but they also were closely allied to the forms found iu
A A 2
356 APPENDIX.
Madagascar, and the other Masearenc islands ; and thus it is certainly clear that four out of six indigenous species had their natural allies in other species belonging to the same zoological province. It seems impossible, on any other reasonable suppo- sition than that of a common ancestry, to account fur this fiict." The autiiors are compelled to the belief that there was once a time when Rodriguez, Mauritius, Bourbon, Madagascar, and the Se3'chelles were connected by dry laud, and that that time is sufficiently remote to have permitted the descendants of the original inhabitants of this now submerged continent to become modified into the many representative forms which are now known. Whether this result can have been effected by the process of " natural selection" must remain an open question ; but that the Solitaire of Rodriguez and the Dodo of Mauritius, much as the}' eventually came to differ, sprang from one and the same stock, seems a deduction so obvious, that the authors can no more conceive any one, fully acquainted with the facts of the case, hesitating about its adoption than that he can doubt the existence of the Power by whom these species were thus formed.
" We are not aware", write MM. E. Newton and Clark, "that the osteology of any vertebrate, other than man, has been studied with the same wealth of materials as that of the Solitaire."'^
As soon as Rodriguez had been selected as a transit station in 1874, it was suggested that a thorough examination of the caves should be initiated, in the hojDc of obtaining skeletons of Pezo- phaps. Mr. Slatei', one of the naturalists of the expedition, deputed for the purpose,^ accordingly examined the caves in the tract of coralline limestone overlying the basalt rock on the south- west side of the island. In these caves was found a deposit of earth, varying from six inches to three feet in depth — in some places even to nine feet ; but, as a rule, no bones were found below two feet.
Mr. Slater supposes that the Solitaire resorted to the caverns
1 See also Fi-oceedings Zool. Sue., 1871, p. 474, and Art. "Fossil Birds", in Eiinjrloji.Tdia Jirilaiivica, by Professor A. Newton. ^ See Introduction.
STONE FOUND "WITH REMAINS OF SOLITAIRE. 357
in case of fire in the island, which has been known to have denuded it several times of its trees ; more so as he found in several cases nearly perfect skeletons, which lay evidently as they died. This, he adds, precludes the idea that they were carried there by wild cats.
It is more likely that the birds took refuge in the caves during hurricanes, and were then overwhelmed by torrents of water and mud.
The attention of Mr. Slater was drawn to the statement of Leguat, as to the stone found within the Solitaire, before he went to Rodriguez in 1874 ; but notwithstanding his examination of the caves, he was unsuccessful in finding anything bearing out the strange report. Shortly after, however, Mr. Caldwell visited the island and obtained three of what he believed to be the stones mentioned b_v Leguat.^ One is figured in the Philosophical Trans- actions, Y\,oy. Soc, vol. clxviii. It weiglied a little over 1| oz. It is brown, somewhat rough, heavy, and hard. It can scarcely, however, be called flat on one side, but, in connection with this fact, it may be remarked that the bird with whose remains it was associated appears to have been young.
Frangois Cauche, describing the birds of Madagascar and adjacent islands (1638), mentions somewhat similar stones.
" La figure de cet oiseau est dans la 2 nauigation des Hollandois aux Indes Orientalles, en 29 dice de I'an 1598. lis I'appellent de nausee.
" J'ay veu dans I'isle Maurice des oiseaux plus gros qu'vn cj'gne, sans plumes par le corps, qui est couuert d'un duuet noir, il a le cul tout rond, le cropion orne de plumes crespues, autant en nombre que chaqne oiseau a d'annees, au lieu d'aisles ils out pareilles plumes que ces dernicrs, noires et recourbees, ils sont sans langues, le bee gros se courbant un pen par dessous, liauts de iambes, qui sont escailloes, n'ayant que trois ergots a chaque pied. II a vn cry conime I'oison, il n'est du tout si sauoureux a manger, que les fouches ct feiqucs, dcscpielles nous venous de
^ One of these stones is shown in the photograph of the skcluton in the Cambridge Musouiu. Vkk froiilispiccc.
358 APPENDIX.
parler. lis no font qu'vn anif, blanc, gros commc vn pain d'vn sol, coutve lequel ils nictteiit vnc pierrc bhuiche de la grosseur d'vu anif de ponies. Ils ponncnt siu* de I'heibe qu'ils aniassent, ct font Icurs nids dans les forests, si on tuii Ic petit, on tronue vne pieiTe grise dans son gcsier, nous les appellions, oiseanx de Nazaret. La graisse est excellcnte pour adoucir les muscles, et nerfs.
" Peut-estre que ce nom leur a estd donn6 pour auoir estc trouuez dans I'islc do Nazare, qui est plus haut que cello de Maurice, sous le 17 degre dela L'Equateur du coste du Sud."^
Strickland and Melville also quote Carre, who visited Bourbon in 1GG8, and Dubois who followed in 1GG9 : —
"J'ay vii dans ce lieu une sorte d'oiseau que je n'ay point trouve ailleui's : c'est celuy que les habitans out nommc TOiscau Solitaire, parce qu'efFectivement il aime la solitude, et ne se plait que dans les endroits les plus ecartez ; on n'en a jamais vu deux ni plusieurs ensemble ; il est toujours seul. II ne ressem- bleroit pas nial a uu Coq d'Inde, s'il n'avoit point les jambes plus hautes. La beaute de son plumage fait plaisir a voir. C'est une coulcur changeante qui tire sur le jaune. La chair en est exquise : elle fait un des raeilleurs mets de ce pais-la et pourroit faire les delices de nos tables." {Voyages des Indes Orientales, par M. Carre, vol. i, p. 12)
In the year after Carre's visit, Sieur Dubois described these same birds: — " Solitaires : Ces oiseaux sont nommes ainsi parce qu'ils vont toujours seuls. Ils sont gros comme une grosse Oye, et out le plumage blanc, noir fl I'extremitc^ des ailes ct de la queue. A la queue il y a des plumes approchantes de celles d'Autruclie, ils out le col long, et le bee fiiit comme celui des B(^casses, mais plus gros, les jambes et pieds comme poulets d'Inde. Cet oiseau se pi-end a la course, ne volant que bien pen." [(Dubois) D. B., Voyage ct Madagascar, Paris, 1674.-]
' Jieladons J'erifalles et Cvricvscs Je VIsle de Madagascar, ct dn Bre'sd, Paris, 1651, p. 130.
2 The Doilo and ils Kindred, pp. 58-59.
D.
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS.
A VALUABLE papci' was contributed, 31st October 18-37, to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Amsterdam {Verslagen en Mededee- lingen der KoninkUjhe Akademie van Wetenschaiypen. Afdeeling ^^ Nahmrlcunde", vol. vii, p. 116, wliich was originally written in Dutch ; but a translation into German of part of it appeared in the Journal fur OrniihoJogie for 1858) by Professor H. Schlegel, the Director of the National Museum of the Netherlands, "On Extinct Gigantic birds of the IMascarcne Islands." The transla- tion of Schlegel's paper by ]\Ir. Hcssels was forwarded by Professor Newton of Cambridge to Dr. Sclater for reproduction in the pages of the Ibis, where it appeared in A])ril 18G6, shortly after the discovery of the Didine remains near Mahebourg. (Vide Ihii>, New Series, vol. i, pp. 14G-168.)
Professor Schlegel announced that hitherto the recent investi- gations respecting the large birds which had become extirpated in Eourbon, Mauritius, and Rodriguez had entirely overlooked some species, one of which, in height at least, equalled the African Ostrich, and which did not belong to the Dodos, but to quite another order of birds.
"Remams of these birds have not hitherto been found ; but we know them from descriptions and a representation, which perhaps may, if rightly understood, give a better and more complete idea of these beings than the obscure sketch which can be obtained of the New Zealand Moas through their numerous remaining bones. The description and representation of the largest species, called by Leguat ' Geant', is given by that traveller in his narrative. {Vide ante, pp. 209, 210.)
"Among naturalists Leguat has, hitherto, been known only by his account of the Solitaire of Rodriguez, but everyone has accepted it without hesitation, and the remains of that bird, since discovered, have proved the exactness of his statements.
3 GO APPENDIX.
Besides this, it appears also, from the numerous observations which he communicates on known natural objects, that he was, as an amateur and for his time, an attentive and accurate observer, that he consulted in his investigations a multitude of works on natural history, that by comparing them mutually, and with nature, he tried to arrive at truth, and tluit he was anything but a servile repeater of another's words."
After having placed, as he thinks, the truthfulness of Leguat beyond all doubt, Professor Schlegel describes the bird, which he takes to be an unknown gigantic species, quoting from Leguat : " On voit beaucoup de certains oiseaux qu'on appelle G^ans, etc " (see p. 210). This description is accom- panied by a figure which represents the bird at about one twenty- fifth of its natural size. He further explains this description and figure, and proceeds, as follows : —
"Let us, meanwhile, first examine what has been the opinion of other naturalists about this bird. Hamel and Strickland are, so far as I know, the only persons who have offered their opinions on the subject.' They had not the least doubt as to the existence of this large animal ; nor can such be possible, since the accounts of Leguat are too precise, and he observed it on two islands at a considerable distance from each other; but they have, in our opinion, completely mistaken this bird,
" Hamel^ takes it for a struthious bird, which, as well as the Solitaire of Rodriguez, has been exterminated since Leguat's time. Our reasons why this opinion is entirely incorrect are the fullowing : —
" 1st, because the G'eant of Leguat has a perfect tail with quills and under tail-coverts, which reach to its end, and that this tail is carried erect, which is never found among the struthious birds.
" 2nd, that the toes are extraordinarily long and slender, and not short and very thick as in all known struthious birds.
1 We find also in Valentyn (v. ii, p. 152) some remarks on the Geant of Leguat, evidently derived from that author himself. {Ante, p. 210.)
2 Der Dodo, die Kindnlbr nnd dcr crdichtctc Nazarvoge!, in Bulletin PJnjs.-Math. de V Academic de St. Petershoiirf/, 1848, vol. vii, Nos. 5, 6, pp. Go-9G.
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 361
" 3rd, that the gape by no means extends, as in the struthious birds, vmder the eye.
" 4th, that the feet are covered over their ^vhole length and breadth with large plates, and not partially or entirely with scales, as seen in the struthious birds.
" 5th, that in Leguat's description and figure there is no appear- ance of the peculiar form of the featliers of the struthious birds, whereas he makes this to be so distinctly seen in his Solitaire.
"6th, that this bird lived in marshy places, where struthious birds do not abide.
" 7th, that it could fly.
" 8th, that, lastly, one had been carried away by a storm from Mauritius to Kodi-iguez, more than a hundred (about three hundred English) miles distant — a sea-voyage which such heavy birds as the Striithiom'dce could not possibly perform.
" Strickland^ has perpetually expressed the opinion that this bird has simply been a Flamingo, although the description of it gave him the impression of a Stork. This opinion is really as strange as that of Hamel ; for, 1st, the physiognomy, or, if you will, the habitus of the bird is quite different.
"2nd. Neither the figure nor the description of the bill show any resemblance to that of the Flamiugo.-
" 3rd. The neck of the Flamingo is much longer, and very much thinner than in our bird.
" 4th. Flamingos have a tail which is much shorter, has a dif- ferent shape, and is never carried erect.
1 The Dodo and its Kindred, etc., pp. 60 and 64. Strickland's own ■words are : " The fact is that these Gem^sare evidently (notwithstanding the Stork-like aspect of Leguat's plate at p. 171) Flamingos."
2 Leguat's expression, " ils ont un bee d'oye", should evidently, and es- pecially from tlie addition of " mais un peau plus poiutu". be understood as having reference to the form in general, and not to the lamelhe, wliich the bill of the Flamingo has in common with that of tiie Geese. When Leguat says of his Solitaire (i, p. 98), " les males ont les piods de coq d'Inde, et lebec aussi", we, in like maimer do not conclude that these parts were formed exactly as in the Turkey, but that they had a general resem- blance. [May not Leguat have meant that these birds had feet like the Avis Jndica, as represented by Collacrt? Vide Infra. — S. V. O.]
3G2 APPENDIX.
"5th. The legs in the Flamingo are much longer, and for the greater part bare, whereas in our bird they are covered with feathers pretty nearly as far as the tarsus.
" 6th. The Flamingo has much shorter fore-toes, united by a swimming-membrane, and an extremely small hind-toe, whereas in our bird, both according to the figure and to the description, the toes are extraordinarily long, and quite free.
** 7th. The colour of the Flamingo is in the young grey, in the old more or less generally red, and never white, as in our bird.
"8tli, and lastly, the whole of Strickland's supi)ositiun fails, seeing that, as we have mentioned above, Leguat knew very well what sert of appeai'ance a Flamingo had.
" For ourselves, we do not hesitate a moment to declare that this Gdant of Leguat's was a Waterhen, and this for the following reasons : —
" 1st. This bird has the h'lhitus of the Waterhen to such a degree that anybody who has a little experience in the recognition of animal-forms will take it for one.
" 2nd. The extraordinarily long toes argue to the same conclu- sion.
" 3rd. The form of the tail, w ith the under-coverts reaching to its end, and its erect attitude, is exactly as in the Waterhens.
" ith. Leguat's figure shows distinctly that the upper mandible was prolonged in a kind of rounded plate, which extended over the forehead and eyes, just as we see in the typical Waterhens, namely, Gallimda, Porphyrio, and Fulica.
" 5th, and lastly, Leguat's expressions, 'gibier' and 'asscz bon', can also be applied to the Waterhens.
" When we have agreed that this bird belongs to the family of Waterhens — and I really do not know in what other group we could, with any probability, place it — then arises the (piestion, Under what genus of this family could we more positively arrange it? That it cannot be regarded as a Coot (Fulica), its toes, not box'dered by lobed membranes, show. It should, therefore, be assigned rather to the genus rorpliyrio or Gallimda ; for one could not account it a Hail {liallus), as it carries its tail erect and has a frontal plate, any more than a Crane (Grus), which
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 303
genus is most allied to Rallus.^ The genus Porphyrio, though zoologically and geographically very natural and so very conspicuous by the more or less fine blue colour of the feathers, differs, really, from Gallimda in no respect than in the higher bill and oval nostrils, whilst these in Gallimda are more elongated. Since, then, the figure of our bird shows elongated nostrils, and also a bill (so far as oue can determine its form in the plate, where it is represented as seen from aliove) which seems to have been less high than in rorphi/rio, and finallj', since its colour is very ditiercnt from that of Forphyrio, we must accordingly I'ange it under the genus Gallinula.
" We will now examine how far the exact proportion of the various parts of our bird is observed in Leguat's figure. Since even in our own day, except Wolf, artists can hardlj' be found who are without failings in this respect, so can we much less expect that the contrary has been the case at the time Leguat lived, and with a mere amateur- — especially, too, as his figui-e represents the object in such a remarkable reduction as one twenty fifth. We have already remarked, in our treatise on the Dodos, -* that in the existing rude drawing of that bird from Mauritius, in Van Neck's Voyage, it is much more naturally and truthfully delineated than in the figures of all European artists up to this time, by whom the poor Dodo has been transformed into a real monster, and wherein the hind-toe of the foot in the foreground is alwa3's wrongly attached, and stands in a crooked direction.
'' Now although the habitus of the Geant in Leguat's figure is very well drawn, although the attitude of the feet, especially of the toes (notwithstanding the representation in perspective), in this plate betrays much more study from nature and more attention than the painters of the Dodo liked to give, yet the
1 Cf. Ilns, 1865, p. 533. (Dr. Sclater.)
2 Professor Newton has remarked on the origin of Lcgnat's rejire- sentation of the Gcant being derived from the print of Avis Iiidica in A. Collaert's Avimi vivx Icones, 1590 {Pro. Zool. Soc, 1873), repro- duced in facsimile at p. 210.
3 Versel en Mcd'idi'cl. Kouiulc. Akad. Amsterdam., 185-4, p]i. 232-250.
364 ♦ APPENDIX.
drawing of Leguat also has its evident fjiults. In inspecting my copy of this figure, enlarged to the natural size, it is directly obvious that the body, instead of being the size of that of a Goose^ (as Leguat's description says), almost equals that of an African Ostrich. It is quite possible that the head, which is very often represented by the best artists as too big proportion- ately, is also too big here, and consequently that tlie neck should be thinner. The same remark is perhaps to be made with regard to the feet, which should be longer just as much as the body is too thick. As it, however, would be very presumptuous to make further inferences iu this respect from pure analogies, we limit ourselves here to these remarks. But in order to make them more obvious to the eye, we have prepared a new drawing of this bird of the natural size, iu wliich we have introduced the corrections just mentioned. AVe have here represented the bird in profile (see fig. p. 365), that one may gain a better idea of this animal — especially as Leguat has so drawn the tail (apparently that it might be better shown), and not half or three-fourths turned, as are the remaining parts.
" When we compare this bird with other species of the Water- hen— (or Rail) — family, we shall observe that, although con- structed precisely on their ground-plan, it difters from them in several respects, especially in its gigantic size, its tall figure, its long neck, its proportionally very small body, and its white colour. One might, for the first three reasons, principally, regard it as representing the Crane-form among the Waterhens. Notwithstanding that it far exceeded in height even the largest of marsh-birds, its weight would yet be, in proportion to this extraordinary height, but very little, and with the help of its long toes it would consequently be able, as the Water-hens do, to run over marshy plains without sinking.
1 " There arises, however, with me the question whether in this coniiDarison Leguat meant the body with, or (as sportsmen often do) without the feathers. In the last probable case, the body will have had, as occurs in the Waterhens, from their long and loose feathers, a much more considerable bulk than that of a Goose, the feathers of which are short and closely compressed."
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCAHENE ISLANDS.
365
" Althougli it could fly it bad much trouble, according to Leguat, in rising from the ground, and its flight was doubtless slow and difficult, owing to the shortness of its wings and the length of its legs and neck. It is probable that, like all Water- hens, it could run fast, though not fast enough to escape from dogs, as Leguat states that they could catch it, and that it tried to save itself by flying up. As all marsh-birds, at least when
Le G^ant.
they are obliged, can swim, and Waterhens, in particular, swim voluntarily and even very much, so this bird also will have swum regularly, and probably very well, owing to its light weight and the extraordinary development of its legs and long toes servino- as oars. There is also no reason to suppose that its food and way of breeding would have been very diff'crcnt from that of the Waterhens. It was doubtless a stationary bird, being unfitted for migration ; and there was no occasion for it to undertake
366 AprEXDix.
voj'ages. This seems to be all that one can, with any probability, guess concerning its mode of life. Wliy, however, was this Waterhen so gigantic? Why was this gigantic animal just destined for such a small place on our globe — a place wlioi-e arose iieither great rivers nor extensive marshes ] Why should it be in colour entirely white, and diifer in that respect from all the species of the family ?' Human knowledge fails to answer these questions, and they will, accordingly, it is probable, always remain riddles to ns, the more so as this magnificent creature, like so many others, is withdrawn for ever from our gaze.
" We have still another question to decide : How comes it that Leguat is the only writer who has observed this gigantic Water- hen of Mauritius, while the voyagers who visited the island before him speak of several other most remarkable birds which they met with, but not this one? To explain the fact, one must evidently infer that the voyagers only made mention of the productions whicli they met with in the neighbourhood of their anchoring-places, and that the giant bird of Leguat did not frequent those places, because there were no marshes. This is no doubt the case with the harbour on the south-east coast, where the ships regularly come to land, and where stood in Leguat's time, and long after, the only port in the island.
"All travellex's report that the ground then was stony and uiifriiitful. It was at this place that the comj^anions of Van
1 Since Professor Schlegel's paper was written, attention Las been called to the White Galhnule, figured in Philhys Voijarje to Botany Bay, London, 1789 (p. 273), and in ]Vliite's Journal of a Voyayc to New South Wales, London, 17s)0 (p. 238)— a bird which is said to have formerly inhabited Lord Howe's and Norfolk Islands. This species Dr. Von Pelzeln refers (Sitz. Akad. Wien., xli, p. 331) to the genus Notornis (cf. Ibis, 1860, pp. 422-423) ; and Mr. G. K. Gray {Ilns, 1862, p. 240) to that of J\irphyno. We know of only two specimens still existing, one at Vienna, obtained from the Leverian ]\Iuseuni, the other in the Derby JNluseum, at Liverpool, from Bidlock's collection. (This last example, according to Professor A. Newton, seems to be an albino of the ordinary Australian Porjihxjno.) It would be very interesting to know if the bird is still found on either of the islands named. It is the Galliuula alba of Latham. (Editor of Jbis, Dr. P. L. Sclutcr.)
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 367
Neck and his successors observed the Dodo and the other birds Avhich they describe. One must, therefore, suppose that Leguat and his comrades, who passed through the wilderness lying on the other side of the island, where fowling furnished them ■without trouble with abundant food (seep. 147), met with our gigantic bird by the rivers and mai'shes of these districts, while they were unknown to those who from time to time landed and again departed, as well as to the Europeans dwelling in the fort. In Leguat's time, however, there were, besides the Europeans dwelling in the fort, from thirty to forty Dutch families scattered over the island and tliore established. They lived partly by hunting, and had dogs expressly for this purpose. These Europeans living apart, the dugs (which, as we have seen from Leguat, easilj' overpowered the gigantic birds), the cats, and later, perhaps, the runaway negroes, have probably thus silently continued the work of destruction, and also completelj^ extirpated this remarkable animal. How quickly and secretly such a destruction can be effected is proved, among other instances, by the history of the different species of Dodo on the Mascarene Islands. Even the great Dodo of Mauritius, first made known in 1598, was no more mentioned by any traveller after 1681 (see Strickland, p. 30) ; and Leguat, who recorded so many observa- tions on the productions of the countries which he visited (1690-98), makes no mention of this strange bird. It must, therefore, be inferred that the Dodo, when Leguat was in Mauritius, was already extirpated, at least in the inhabited and accessible districts of the island. Perhaps also the abode of this bird, in contradistinction to that of the gigantic Waterheu, was limited to the stony, dry places which are round the south-east harbour, where it was observed in great numbers, and at W'hich spot all the accounts of this bird were obtained."
[Leguat himself speaks of the extraordinary decrease of the animals of the island, see p. 209.]
[The remains of the Dodo have been since found in the Mare aux Songes, a marsh near Pte. d'Esny, close by Jslahebourg. The remains of the Gcant shuuld be sought for in the Mare aux Vacoas, or Grand Bassin nearer the Riviere Noire (Zwarte lliver), where Leguat landed in 1093. — S. P. 0.]
368 APPENDIX.
" It remains for us to inquire whether the Geant of Leguat was also found in the neighbouring ishxnd of Reunion or elsewhere. The onl}-^ writer who makes mention of a gigantic marsh-bird in Reunion, and this under the self-same name
of Geant, is the Marquis du Quesne In his work,
according to Leguat, the Geants are named among the birds of Bourbon. (See ante, p. 44.) That by these Geants the Solitaires of Mascaregne (Reunion) cannot be meant, appears by their manner of living, and by the taste of their flesh. To determine them more precisely is not very possible on account of the incompleteness of Du Quesne's account ; but this still shows that there lived in Bourbon a gigantic marsh-bird, which, like the Dodo, has long ago vanished, and which probably was of the same S2:)ecies as the Geant of Leguat, or related to it, since it lived by rivers and lakes ; and these, with marshes, form the abode of Waterhens."
Professor Schlegel thus places in the system, with the follow- ing attributes, the gigantic birds he has described : —
" Gallinula (leguatia) gigantea. * Le Giant,' Leguat, Voyage^ ii, p. 72, fig. ' Le Geant,' Du Quesne, apud Leguat, op. cit., i, p. 55. (V) ' Straussartiger Vogel,' Hamel, Bulletin Acad. St. Petersh., viii, Nos. 5 and 6 (pp. 65-96). ' Flamingo,'' Strickland, The Dido and its Kindred, p. 50, note,
" Statui'e, six feet high. Body, not heavier than that of a goose. Wings pretty short, but fit for flight. Feathers of the tibia, reaching pretty close to the tarsus. Toes long and quite free, those in front about as long as the tarsus. Upper mandible extended in a plate reaching beyond the eye. General colour white, with a reddish spot under the wing. Colour of the feet and bill unknown, but probably not very remarkable, as the description does not mention it.
^^ Hah. Mauritius, perhaps Reunion (Bourbon); once accidentally met with in Rodriguez.
" Observed with certainty only by Leguat in 1694, Since that time not remarked again, and evidently long ago completely extirpated.
" Seems to represent the Crane-type among the Waterhens."
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 369
FuLiCA Newtonii. JS'^otes from a '■'■Memoir on ati Extiiict Species of the Genus FuUca, which formerly inhabited the Island of Maiiritiiis" , by !M. A. Milne Edwards.*
The species, which M. Mihae-Ed wards notices in his memoir, belongs to the division of water-hens and to the genus Coot (Foulqiie), birds, rather runners and swimmers than fl^-ers, and which never wander far from lakes or watercourses, on tlie borders of which they construct their nesis, and easily find their food.
(The bones which were examined seem to have belonged to several individuals, and some were black and others brown, like the debris of the Dodo exhumed from the deposits in the marsh at Mauritius, known as the Mare aux Songes. . . .)
It is interesting to ascertain if the travellers who visited the Mascarene Islands at the time when the Dodo still existed had any knowledge of the FuUca Netctonii, Newton's Coot. The most precise information which we have upon the fauna of these islands has been transmitted to us by Dubois, who visited this region from 1669 to 1672.
This author, in his description of the river-birds of the island of Bourbon, speaks of "■ Water-hens, which are as large as fowls ; they are all black, and have a large Avhite crest on the head."
These characteristics do not apply to the Coot, which is met with at the present day in the same localities, that is to say, the Ftdica cristata, for this species is not only smaller than an ordinary fowl, but is remarkable for the frontal plaque, which is of a deep red, whilst with the bird of which Dubois speaks, the rostral p/rt^we was entirely white.
From an examination of the bone of the foot of FuUca Newtonii, the size of the entire animal can be judged, it would be very near the size of a large fowl. These indications permit the supposition that the FuUca Netvtonii could well be the species described by Dubois, and which, instead of being specially localised in Bourbon, also inhabited Mauritius.
1 Ann. Sc. Nal., 5 Ser. Zoo)., viii, pp. 194-220.
B B
370 APPENDIX.
There is not to be found in the work of Legiiat any passage which can be applied with certainty to this bird, for, when he says, " The island (Mauritius) was formerly filled with Geese and with Wild Ducks, AVater-hens, Wood-hens {Gelinottes), Turtles, and Tortoises, but all that is become rare,"^ there is nothing to prove that these Water-hens were Coots ; and if they belonged to this genus it would be reasonable to suppose that he here spoke of the Fulica cristata.
M. Milne-Edwards then proceeds to explain how the disappeai'- ance of such a bird can be accounted for, in the same manner as other unwieldy birds which cannot fly well soon become extinct when brought into contact with man and carnivorous beasts. So the giant Coot of Chili, the Dinornis of New Zealand, and the JSpyornis of Madagascar, the Dodo of Mauritius, the Solitaire of Rodriguez, and even the Great Auk, despite its rapidity in swimming and the bad flavour of its flesh. So also the Aptcryx of New Zealand and the Rhinochetus of New Caledonia are becoming daily more rare ; and if the Cassowai-ies and the Ostriches are yet common, it is only attributable to the immensity of the desert plains where they dwell.
M. j\lilne-Ed wards continues: " The Mascarene Islands are of so inconsiderable extent that they have not been able long to serve as a refuge for birds of massive form, which lived there in great numbers at an epoch when nian had not yet penetrated to them.
" The Coot of Newton formed part of this ancient and so remai'kable fauna, which also counted among its representatives the Dodos of Mauritius and Bourbon, the Solitaire, the Geant {Legiuitia Gigantea), the Blue-bird, which Mr. Schlegel refers without doubt to the genus Notornis, and two extinct species of parrots. Several of these birds have been only met with, and some are only known by a fragment of skeleton, the others by a short description or an imperfect drawing : there are yet thei'efore many discoveries to awaken the attention of all zoologists, and ought to incite them to combine their efforts to lift the veil which
' See ante, p. 200.
ON EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE MASCARENE ISLANDS. 371
hides from us the greatest part of these forms so curious of a population now disappeared entirely."
Addendum to Appendix D.
By the courtesy of Professor Newton a facsimile is here given from Plate II, of Part V, de Bry's India Orientalis} which well illustrates the life and surroundings of the first Dutch colonists when they settled in Mauritius in 1598. The title of the first copper-plate engraving is : — " Delineatio insula) Docerne, alias Mauritius dicta." — And the second, here reproduced, is entitled : — Quae ab Hollandis in insula Mauritii, turn visa turn gesta sint." — Here are shown the land-tortoises, the dodo, the Latanier palm, the Rahos Forcados, the Indian Crow, so called (but which Professor Newton considers to be intended for the Psittacus Manritianus, whose most extraordinary feature is the singular frontal crest {Ihis, 18G6, p. 168), on account of which he pro- poses to name the group of Parrots of which it is the type, Lophopsittams), the heraldic insignia on a wild tree, the cabbage palm, the flying-fox, the smithy, the huts, the preaching and the fishing, etc. In ftict, the quaint engraving does not inaptly represent the first operations of colonists in the Mascarene islands up to the time when Leguat and his companions landed in them a hundred j^ears later.
Mr. Strickland, 2 in his history of the extinct brevipennate birds of the Mascarene Islands (at page 26) quotes a MS. document in the British Museum, entitled " A coppey of Mr. Benj. Harry's Journall, when he was chief mate of the Shippe Berkley Castle, Captain Wm. Talbot then Commander, on a voyage to the coste
1 CoIIccliones Peregrination nm in Indinm Oricntalem Sf I)idiam Occi- dentalcm XXV partihus comprehcnsae ; Opus iUnstratiini f [juris fends fratrum de Bry ^- Meriani. Francofurti at Moeuum 1590, & ann. seq. ad ann. 1634, 7 vol. in foL Pars quinta.
2 The Dodo and its Kindred, or the History, Affinities, and Osteology of the Dodo, Solitaire, and other Extinct Birds of the Islands Mauritius, liodriguez, and Bourhon, by H. E. Strickland and A. G. Melville, Part i, by II. E. Stricklaud.
B B 2
372 APPENDIX.
and bay, 1G79, which voyage they wintered at the MauiTJsahes" {fourteen years before LeguaCs arrival in Mauritius).
"After all these turmoyles and various accidents, wee the beginning of 7ber. brought all to a period : one parte of our misery wass that that time wee designed for I'ecreation wee were fore* imp'' in Labour.
" The ayre whilst wee have been hci'c hath been very temperate, neither over hott nor over cold ; itt hath been showery 3 or 4 Days sucksessively, and showery in the night, sometimes a Sea Brees, little wind morning and evenings.
" Now having a little respitt I will make a little description of the island, first of its Producks then of itts parts : Ffirst of winged and feathered ffowle, the less passant are Dodos whose fflesh is very hard. A small sort of Gees, reasonably good Teele, Curleves, Pasca flflemingos, Turtle Doves, large Batts, many small Birdes which are good.
" The Dutch pleading a propriety to the island because of tlieir settlement have made us pay for goates \d. per pound or ^ piece of 8 per head, the which goates are butt reasonably good, these wild, as allso the deer which are as large as I believe any in the world, and as good fflesh in their seasons ; for these 3 pie of 8 i^er head, Bullocks large 6 pie of 8 per head : (that) 3'S for victualling, heer are many wild hoggs and land turtle which are very good, other small creators on the Laud, as Scorpions and Musketoes, these in small numbers, llatts and ffleys a multitude, Munkeys of various sorts.
" Li the woodes Eaboney, Box, Iron wood blacke and read, a false but not lasting fire, various sortes of other wood, though heavy yett good for fiering.
" In ye Sea and River, green tortoise very good, Shirkes, Doggs, Mulletts, Jackabeirs (butt nott good though some 70 lb.), Breams, Pomfletts, Plaise, a ffish like a Salmond, and heer soe called, but full of small Boanes forked, severall sortes of read filsh butt nott houlsome, various sortes of small ffish for the Pann, good oysters and Crabes, Ells large and good.
" Herbage ffruite and Graine ffrench or Ciduey Beans, Patatoes, sallating ; Pumplemuses, oranges "
E.
THE GIGANTIC MASCARENE TORTOISES.
For many years Dr. xVlbert Giinther, of the British Museum, informs us, naturaUsts were much exercised in curiosity by the shells of tortoises of enormous size that were brought home in vessels coming from India. ^ " From the greater convexity of tlieir shell, these animals were known to be terrestrial av.d distinct from the marine turtles. From the accounts of voyagers of the sixteenth and seventeenth century it was found that these huge individuals of the Chelonian order existed in two widely separated regions, one being the Galapagos group in the Pacific, the others being certain islands in the Indian Ocean ; yet, curiously enough, it does not appear that the intervening lands have contained within the historic period similar creatures. Leguat (vide ante, p. 70) mentions the immense numbers of land tortoises he and his companions found in Rodriguez ; and, indeed, when we consider that tlie helpless creotures lived for ages in perfect security from all enemies, and that nature had endowed them with a most extraordinary degree of longevity, so that the individuals of many generations lived simultaneously in their island home, we can well account for the multitudes found by the first comers. For a period of more than a century they afforded wholesome food to the crews of passing ships ; for these animals could be carried in the hold of a ship without food for many months, and could be slaughtered as occasion required, each tortoise yielding from 80 to 300 pounds of fresh meat, and we read that ships leaving Mauritius were wont to take on board
upwards of 400 of these animals
"Down to 1740 tortoises continued to be numerous in 'Mau- ritius, as Baron Grant writes {History of Mauritius, p. 194): — " If,
1 PhiloiiopMcal Transucliom^ paper read before Koyal Society, Juue 1874.
374 APPENDIX.
however, we are not rich in cattle, we possess a great abundance of fowl as well as both land and sea-turtle, which are not only a great resource for the supply of our ordinary wants, but serve to bai-ter with the crews of the ships who put in here for refresh- ment in their voyage to India." But they appear to have been much more scattered in the larger islands of Mauritius and K^union, than in the smaller island of Rodriguez, for in 1761 Admiral Kempenfeldt writes : — " The best production of the island is the land turtle, which is in great abundance. Small vessels are continually en)ployed in transporting them by thousands to the Isle of Mauritius, for the service of the hospital."^
Their number, Dr. GUnther goes on to tell us, " rapidly dimi- nished owing to their consumption, as above evidenced, as well as by the wide-spread and frequent conflagrations of the woods, by which the island has been well-nigh disforested, so that early in the present century the work of extermina- tion was accomplished, and, so far as is known, there is not a single living example left alive at the present day. In the small island of Aldabra alone there still linger, in a wild state, a few representatives of this ancient Chelonian race, the contem- poraries of the Dodo, the G^ant, and the Solitaire. Even here the animals are constantly destroyed by the whalers, and the young tortoises and eggs are eaten up by the pigs which have been left there, and which have multiplied rapidly."
Leguat's account of the land-tortoises at Rodriguez corresponds closely with the experiences of the Dutch at Mauritius as re- corded in their second voyage of 1598. Professor Newton furnishes a quaint copper-plate engraving which well illustrates the ponderous size of these huge chelonians, taken from de Bry's
1 "The principal point of view (in Rodriguez) is first the French Governor's house, or ratlier that of the Superintendent, appointed by the Governor of the Isle of France to direct the cultivation of the gardens tlierc, and overlooks the park of laud turtles. Secondly, the park of land-turtles, which is on the sea-shore, facing the house." (Admiral Kempenfeldt's Iteport, quoted by Viscount de Vaux, op. cit., p. 101.)
THE GIGANTIC MASCARENE TORTOISES. 375
well-known India Orientalis before mentioned. ^ The title to this drawing, a facsimile of which is hei'c given, runs thus : — " Quomodo Hollandi in Mauritii insula ingentes Testudincs inuenerint." And the description as follows : " Cum Hollaudit m naues An. 159S, in Indiam expedirentur, in transitu lusuUim quandam, Mauritij dictam occuparunt : qnte testudines peltatas tarn grandes ferebat ut super una duo insidentcs Hollandi, non secus ac ne minimu graues, citra omne impedimentuni longc, proferrentur. Illarum uonnulla; ad earn usque magnitudine crescunt, vt in vnius auulsa testa decern viri commode sedere & epulari potuerint. In eadem Insula psittacorum columbarumque numerum quoque maximum repererunt tarn cicurura, ut fustibus eas prostrauerint. Sed et alios ibidem aves visa) sunt, quas 'V^'alckvogel Batavi nominarunt et unam secum in Hollandiam importarunt."
A large example of what was probably one of the last of the Kodrigucz species was imported more than half a century ago to England, and kept at the Zoological Gardens, where it was living when described in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (1833, p. 81). It weighed 289 lbs., the shell being 4 ft. i\ ins. in length (over the curve), and 4 ft. 9 ins. in width.
When Mauritius was surrendered to General Abercrombie, in 1810, among the ordnance stores handed over to and taken in charge by the Royal Artillery there was a huge land tortoise which, not improbably, may be a Kodriguez animal, as from its size it must certainly have been living in the days of Leguat. It is still alive, and has been a denizen of Artillery Place and the barracks
1 Pars quarta. After the text, which finishes at p. iii, are to be found the plates which belong to this part, entitled: — " Icones sou genuinse et expressse delineationes eorum omnium quae in hac quarta Jndise orientalis description e siugularia offeruutur. Vbi peregrinorum quorundam animalium, arborum, fructuum, plantarumque, &c. alias non visorum viva effigies exhibetur. Qua3 omnia et sumptuosis impensis, & opera accurata in aes incisa, publicreque luci com- municata sunt a Joanne Tlieodorico et Joanne Israelo dc Pry fratribus & ciuibus Moeno P'rancofurteusibus. Francoforti Imprimebat Matthjeus Becker. Anno Muti."
370 APPENDIX.
in Port Louis ever since, having survived many accidents and cruel experiments. Its shell is 9 ft. 3 ins. in circumference, and it stands 2 ft. 6 ins. high.^
Measures have been taken to preserve the tortoises in Aldabra, and some of these chelonians have been introduced into Flat Island near Mauritius, by the Mauritius Acclimatisation Society, and are, it is said, thriving if not multiplying. They lay their eggs three times in the year.
In the Botanical Gai-dens of Pamplemousses, in Mauritius, are two tortoises, of which one, measuring 7 ft. 2 ins. in circumference, stands 1 ft. 8 in. in height ; and there are others at Eiviefe Seche, belonging to M. Caste], and another to M. Daruty, at Mou Tresor, near Mahebourg, in Mauritius.
Tliere are others in the Seychelles Islands, whence two fine specimens have been brought to the Zoological Gardens ; and there were for a long time till lately (dating from before the days of Napoleon) two fine specimens in the grounds of Plantation House, at St. Helena, where one died in 1877.'^
The osseous remains of the Rodriguez tortoises,^ which Dr. Giinther has examined, and for which he was indebted to M. Bouton and the Trustees of the Glasgow Museum, were found to include some exceedingly large bones, larger than any of those from Mauritius, and they must have belonged, he states, to individuals of the size of the large living males of Aldabra. From the perforation of tiie neural arch of the sixth nuclial vertebra Dr. Giinther determines that these animals had the habit of bringing the neck in a vertical position, so that these
1 See memorandum by Mr. Littleton, in Nature, Aug. 23, 1883, p. 308.
2 Three enormous tortoises were brought fi'om the Seyclielles Islands to the Jardin d'Accliuiatisatiou at Paris, in July 1878. The largest weighed no less than 187 kilogrammes (nearly 4 cwt.), arid measured 1.17 metres in diameter, about 46 inches, and in 1883 some large Aldabra tortoises were placed on Flat Island, by the Mauritius Acclimatisation Society.
3 See G'Kjdiitic Laml-Tortoises, Living and Extinrt, in the Collection of the British Museum, by A. C. L. G. Giinther, M.D., F.R.S., Keeper of the department of Zoology, 1877, p. 52.
THE GIGANTIC MASCAEENE TORTOISES. 377
two vertebra3 were standing nearly at a right angle. It Avill be remembered that Leguat mentions {ante, p. 71) — "There's one thing very odd among them ; they always place Sentinels at some Distance from their Troop, at the four corners of their Camp, to which the Sentinels turn their Backs, and look with the Eyes as if they were on the Watch." This habit of raising their necks nearly perpendicular must have greatly aided the capability of seeing to some distance around them which these animals seem to have possessed.
Dr. Giiuther assumes that "some land tortoises were carried by stream or current from Madagascar or Africa to the Mascarenc Islands, in preference to assuming a former continuity of land between the Mascarene Archipelago and Africa"; but the direction of the great equatorial current, and prevailing south-east trade wind, militate considerably against the theory.
"With this hypothesis" (of submergence of land between the Mascarene Islands), writes Dr. Giinther, " we should be obliged . to contend for this animal type an age extending over enormous periods of time, of which the period required for the loss of power of flight in the Dodo or Solitaire is but a fraction." (See Nature, vol. xii, 1875, ijp. 238, 259, 296.)
Of the remains from Rodriguez, the species Testtido Vosmoeri can alone be distinguished ; of this reptile an extensive series is preserved in the Cambridge Museum, from N'ewton's find.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE.
(See pp. 74-75.)
THE DUGONG, HALICORE DUGONG, LEGUAT'S " MANATl".
Leguat was the first Europeau to record the existence and observe the habits of the remarkable animal forming the subject of this note. During the nearly three years' stay he and his companions made on the island of Rodriguez, they used it as their principal food, and had unexampled opportunities of observing it. The account he gives of it is in the main quite in accord with the investigations of modern naturalists. I must premise these remarks by saying that the whole subject of the Sirenia has been treated in an ex- haustive way in the Proceedings of learned societies, and there is really nothing new to add ; but the readers of our books like to have before them the opinions of modern authorities on points of interest touched upon by the early travellers.
The geographical distribution of the Sirenia, as Dr. H. Woodward has shown in his treatises,^ extended in pre-historic times over a very wide area, fossil remains of no less than twenty-seven species having been discovered in Tertiary strata as far north as lat. 60° N., and as far south as the tropic of Cancer. These earlier species may be considered the ancestors of existing forms, differing, however, so much from them as to suggest inter- vening links which have not yet been found ; though it has been ascertained that when changes took place in the physical con- ditions of European seas the genus Ilalitherium prevailed.^
1 Geol. Mag., 1885, Dec. 3, vol. ii, pp. 412-25 ; and Quart. Jo Geol. Soc. LoncL, 1885, vol. xli, pp. 457-72.
2 H. Woodward, op. cit.
urn.
THE DUGONG. 379
• The Sirenia are allied to various orders of Mammalia, viz., to the Cetacea or whales, to the pachyderms, according to de Blaiii- ville and others, and possibly to the Ungulates ; but they have peculiarities which distinguish them from all these orders. Tlieir external appearance naturally suggested an affinity with the •whales, but a closer examination showed striking points of con- trast. The whale, with his huge jaws and enormous head, is carnivorous in its diet, while the Sirenia are herbivorous, their food consisting of aquatic plants, or of marine algee growing in shallow waters. Unlike the whales, their heads are small in proportion to their bodies, and rounded rather than elon- gated. They have, too, this distinguishing peculiarity, that the cervical vertebrse (only six in number in the American species) are free and movable and form a neck enabling the animal to turn its head about, while in the case of the whale, the head and body are united together in one compact mass, the neck being almost immovable. Another pecu- liarity is the formation of the fore-limbs. These, instead of being pectoral fins, as in the wliale tribe generally, have the character of the arm and hand of the higher mammalia, whence the name " Manatee", from Mamis, given to the best known of the living species. The digits of the Manus are not, however, separate, but there is evidence of nails on the end of the fingers, which are united to form a flipper or paddle-like organ. This foi'e limb, capable of being moved at the elbow joint, is used by the animal to assist in bringing food to its mouth, and in the case of the females, to hold their young to the breast. Their fish- like form and peculiarly human way of suckling their young, suggested to the early navigators the idea of Sirens or mermaids, Avhence the name given to the order. Tliey have also a few hairs on their thick, wrinkled skins, as Leguat correctly observes, while the whale has a perfectly smooth, glistening, hairless skin.
It is, howevei', in their dentition that the Sirenia differ in the most marked way from the whales, and approach the elephant and hippopotamus. The adult Dugong has a pair of tusk-like in- cisors in the upper jaw, and two (rarely three) molars, separated by a wide interval, on each side, above and below, making fourteen
380
SUPPLEMENTAIJY NOTE.
teeth in all ; the Manatee has forty-eight teeth altogether, viz. : 4 iiiilk-incisors (which speedily disappear), and 44 molars and pre- molars, resembling, in pattern, the same teeth iu the Hippopo- tamus, but very much smaller. The extinct edentulous Rhytina is uearer the Dugong than any other living species, having only two
Manatee.
milk incisors, the absence of teeth being supplied by a horny cover- ing on the jaws, gums, and palate, of peculiar structure, enabling the animal to masticate its food. Tliese distinctions betweeu the three genera of Mauatee, Dugong, and Rhytina, are illustrated in
Dugong.
the accompanying woodcuts, drawn from skulls preserved in the British Museum of Natural History, Cromwell Road, where
THE DUGONG. 381
also a complete skeleton of Rhytina, from the peat of Beh- ring's Island, is exhibited. The skeleton^ of all the varieties is remarkable for the massiveness of the bones, especially of the ribs, which are intensely hard, and it is doubtless owing to the specific gravity of these that the animals are enabled to keep their bodies much below the surface in shallow waters whilst feeding on the marine vegetation.
Turning now to the literature of the subject, we find a curious figure of the killing of the Manatee by the natives in America in De Bry.2 One is represented astride of the animal, di-iving wooden plugs into its nostrils, while another is towing it behind his canoe. Another curious illustration may be seen in a Spanish
Rhytina.
work on the Orinoco by Father Joseph Gumilla.' In it the Manatee is represented on its back suckling two young, one under each flipper.
But our first real knowledge of this group of animals dates from the time of the German naturalist Stellcr, who, with the Russian captain and celebrated navigator Vitus Behring, were cast on an
1 H. Woodward, Geol. Mag., 1885, p. 422.
2 Frankfort, 1602. America, part 9.
3 El Orinoco illnstrado y defendido, Historia natural, Civil y geo- graphica de este gran Rio ; Madrid, 1745, vol. ii, p. 112.
382 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE.
islaud in Behring's Straits in 1741, where the latter died. Steller saw vast numbers of the Rhytiua, called, after him, Steller's sea- cow, or vache marine, pasturing in the shallows along the shore and collected in herds like cattle. As they fed they raised their heads every four or five minutes to breathe, before descending to browse on the thick beds of seaweed surrounding the coast. ^Vhen full-grown, Steller says they attained a length of thirty-five feet and a weight of three or four tons, so that it required forty men to drag the body of one to land. Steller's report of their being good for food led to their complete annihilation, within the short space of forty years, 1741-1781 ; for when subsequent investigators visited Behring's and Copper Islands for the pm-pose of securing specimens, they did not find a single living one, or any of its bones. It was not till nearly a century later that a skull was obtained for the Imperial Academy of Sciences in St. Peters- burg, enabling Brandt to write his masterly monograph, entitled Symbolce SirenologicceA So little, indeed, was known of the animal at this time, that we find naturalists describing the Rhytina as a gigantic Manatee, giving it the name of " Le Grand Lamantin de Kamschatka". Cuvier was the first to distinguish it as a separate species, j^reserving, however, the name Lamantin, and calling it Lamantin dti nord ; while Illiger groiiped these animals apart, and distinguished the three species. Manatee, Halicore, and Ehytina, placing them between the seals and Cetacea.
Within the last few years two living Manatees have been brought to this country^; one lived in the Zoological Gardens, where it died in 1889 ; the other flourished for several months at the Westminster Aquarium, till one cold day in March its keeper carelessly left the plug of its tank drawn, the water drained away, and the poor animal caught such a severe chill that it never recovered.
Dr. Woodward, who has kindly revised this note, adds the following : —
1 Mem. Imp. Acad. Sci. St. retershnrc/, 1846, vi^e s6rie, pt. ii ; Sci. Nat., vol. V, livr. iv, pp. 1-160, tab. i v.
2 See the admirable IMemoir by Dr. J. Marie, F.L.S., Trans. Zool. Svc, vol. viii, p. 167, 1872.
THE DUGONG. 383
The Manatee still inhabits the east coasts and the great rivers of South America, such as the Orinoco, the west coast of sub- tropical Africa, the Gaboon, and adjacent shores. The Du- gong occupies the east coast of Africa, from the Red Sea to the tropic of Capricorn ; also the coasts of the East Indies and as far south as tlie north and east coasts of Queensland, Australia. But within late historic times the geographical distribution of the living Sireuia has everywliere become more and more restricted, and their extinction by man seems imminent, owing to the narrow limitation of their feeding-ground, which is confined to those spots in comparatively shallow water along those coasts only where marine algoe occur in most abundance.
E. D. M.
INDEX/
Abbe de Choisy, Intro, xxx, Pref.
Ixxvli, 223 Abbe Pi:.gr^, xl, 337, 347 Abbot Amiot, version of Plutarch by,
145 Abercronibie. General, surrender of
Mauritius to, xlvii, 375 Abomiuable crimes, absolution for,
131 Abrahr^m Du Quesne, 2 Abreu, Gomes d', 314 Absolution, sale of, 131 Abundance of variety, 105 Acacia, A. lebbek, 850 Academic des Sciences, Comptes
Rendus, 320 et seq.; Memoires de 1',
xli, xliv ; Histoire de 1', xli Academie de St. Petersbourg, 360,
3o8, 382 Academy, Royal, of Amsterdam, 359 Academy of Vienna, 366 Aranthophoenix, rubra, et crinita, 200 Accents, Greek, antiquity of, 81 Accident (an), like to have proved
fatal, 302 et seq. Acclimatisation, Jardin d', 376 ;
society of, in Maurilius, 376 ; of
game in Robben Island, 280 ; of
plants in Bourbon, 44 ; at the
Cape, 275 ; in Java, 228 ; at
Mauritius, 206, 207 ; at Rodriguez,
.')6 ; at St. Helena, 299 Accomodeurs, or Botchers, 1 01 Acoruis, oaks raised from, at the
Cape, 276 Acosta, Joseph, " Histoire Naturelle
et Morale des Indes", by, 286 Acre, 38
Acrklotheres trislis, starling, 211 Actiniid(e, coraXs,, 110 Actium, battle of, 97 Acts, Book of, quoted, 101 Acugna, Vasco d', navigator, 309 et
seq. ; cape of the island of, 21 Acunha, Tristan d', Isles of, 21, 26 et
seq. Adam and Eve, 121 et seq. Adam's fig-tree, 199
Adanson's "Voyage au Senegal," 110
Adders, in America, 90
Adeodatus, Pope, 158
Adiantum Capillus Veneris, 333
Administration of Dutch East India Company, 192
Administrator, the, Don Joan Masca- renhas, 308
Administrators of grain magazines, 190
Admiral, Bertie, xlvi, xlvii; Boscawen, xxxix, 34 ; Cornish, xlv ; Kempen- felt, 70 ; Stavorinus, 271 et seq.; see Stavoiiuus.
Admiral, vice, the Dutch, 272, 303
Admiralty Charts, xvii, 1, 48
Adonijah, by the stone of Zoheleth, 190
Adonis, gardens of, 275
Adoration, secret and interior, of sun and moon, 297
Adrian VI, Pope, 5
Adultery, punished severely by the Hottentots, 291,295
Adventurers, their names, etc., 6, 135 ; arrive in the Island Rodrigo, 48 ; a plan of their habitations, 50; their occupations, 99; their religion, 100 ; propose to quit that island, 105, 106 ; build a bark, 107 ; go on board, 111 ; are shipwrecked, 113 ; return to the island, turn physi- cians, Ho ; have a mind to embark a second time,] 19, 12f); the author's re.ison for disswading it, ib.; lose their title of free men, 127; leave a monument in the Island Rodrigo,
135 ; are kings of that island, 129 ; have great respect for the Jesuits,
136 ; why they quitted their coun- try, 135 ; dei)art again from their island, 139 ; care not for women, 147 ; are in great distress, arrive at Isle Maurice, 145 ; prefer a rock to' a woman, are rob'd by the governour of that island, etc., 155 ; put in irons there, and wherefore, 158 ; pillag'd by the governour, 159; are sent to a desart island, 160 ;
1 N.B. — The entries in the "Table" of the original version are distinguished by heavy type-
INDEX.
385
undergo a thousand miseries for three years, 161 ct seq. ; two of them venture to Isle Maurice ou a float, 163 ; aie carry'd back, 165 ; write into Holhind, ih. ; carry'd back to Isle iVciurice, 189 ; their departure for Batavia, 191, 215 ; present a petition in vain to the Council of State of the Indies, to demand justice against the Gover- nor of Isle Maurice, 216, 219 ; their continuance at Batavia, ih. ; their departure from thence, 270 ; their arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, 273 ; their departure, 298 ; their arrival at Flushing, 304 ^f/ialitis, the Wire-bird of St. Helena,
300 ^neid, of Virgil, 36, 136 ^pi/ornis, 370 \^sculapius, ministers of, 115 Affbuche, .331
Africa, 30, 34 ; Belisarins in, 134 ; continent of, 298 ; " Dapjier's His- tory of, 273 ; Huguenot settlers in, 285 ; Ogilby's history of, 289 ; southern point of, 294 ; southern promontory of, 30 ; central, 346 Africans, near the Cape, 266, 267 African tribes, 287, 289 et seq. ; Chainouqua, 294 ; Grigriqua, 295 ; Hessequa, 294; Tablicr found among, 293 Agnlega, Island of, 66 Af/apornis cana, 24, 336, 337, 338 A(/at/ioph)/llmn aroniaiicum, 201 Ages of the author, Francois Leguat,
and his companions, 6, 121 Agesingue, the Cape, 30 Agulhas, Cape, 34 ; or Cape Needles,
ih. ; current and bank of, ih. Ain, the dejiartmeut of, xvii, 1, 127 Air, healthy, of the Isle of Bdcn'sd; of Isle Eodri'jo, 99, 129 ; of the Cape of Good Hope, 276, 286 ; of St Helena, 299 Alais, Bishop of, 259 Albino of the Australian PornJivrio 366 ^ J '
Albinos, 270. Vide Chacrelats Alboquerque, Alfonso d', 319 et seq. Alcinous, g.ardens of, 200, 275 Alcyone and Ceyx, Dryden's, 112 A/ri/nniid(v, corals, 110 Aldabra, Tortoises of the Island of
70, 374 Alectorernas nitidissima, 345 Aleman, Mateo, author of " Guzman
d'Alfarache", 178 Alexandre, Histojre d', 68 Alcxandrcis, Ixxxii
Alfarache {Guzman d'), 178 Algiers, Mahometan of, 191 Algue, espece d'. Gulf-weed, 302 Aliz^, espece de Vent, 111 Alligator pear, 201 Allowance, short, of meat and drink
160 Almanacks, unknown to the Hotten- tots, 295 Almeida, Viceroy Frau9ois d', 312
et seq. Aloes, 44, 199 Alouettcs de Mer, 8, 330 Altars, in Chinese temples, 257 Altars, wax-tapers, images, holy- water, etc., in the P.igodes of the Chinese at Batavia, 257 Alva, Duke of, 136 Amalfis, city of, 108 Ambassadors (Begging) make a
sorry figure, 130 Ambassadour, P>ench, 135 Amber, yellow and grej-, 87 ct seq. ;
at Mauritius, 153, 214 Ambergreece, 43, 87 et seq. ; a fatal
jiiece, 152 ct seq., 181 Ambergris, found in Mauritius, 153,
181, 214 ; iu the Maldives, ib. Amboyna, government of an out
station at, 192 Amboynese, 237 Ambre, Isles d', on N.E. coast of
Mauritius, 153,214 Amelot, Mr., xxix Amerci, the Ja van's Cry, when they
are mad, 262 America, continent and islands of, 67 ; voyages to, 96 ; M. de la Case in' xxxiii, 53; hurricanes in, 46; natives of, 382 ; rattle-snake in, 174 American, consul, N. Pike, 173 ; islands, 89 ; Lamentin, 74 ; shiii' wreck of, 327 Amiot, the Abbot, version of Plu- tarch by, 145 Amirantes Is., 309 Amour me'decin, 1', of Molifere, 115
162 Amphitheatres, 81
Amsterdam, xxxiv, Ixxv, 2,6,54, 108 • magistrates of, 192; Royal Academy of Sciences of, 359 Amu I; the peculiar frenzy amon? Malays, 262 ^
Am;,/, wreck of the, 193 Anacardlum sp., 201 Anacharsis, xxxv
Ananas, 44, 152 ; common nt Batavia 229 ; at Mauritius, 198 ; at the '' ape, 278 : at St. Helena, 299 An.ina.sse Kivier, Mauritius, 146 CO
386
INDEX.
Anchor, at Diego Ruys, 48 ; jiroinised but not found at N.W. Port, Mauritius, 149
Anchors, lost in Table Bay, 272
Anchovios, at Genoa, 278
Ancienism, pedantry, 133
Ancient fauna of Isle Rodriguez, 320 et seq.
Angelus, at Rodriguez, the, xliii
Anglo-Indian glossary, 69
Angnfcum fmf/rans, 87
Angnille Morcle, a savage eel, 174
Anguilles, Riviere des, 146
Animals, of the same kind vary, 9 ; in the Isle of Salt, 11, 14 ; of the Isle of Eden, 44, 45 ; of Isle Maurice, 2' 8, 209 ; of Java, 232, 233 ; of the Cax>e of Good Hope, 278
Animals, in ship, given condensed sea- water, 301
Anisson, Jean, Director of Royal Press, Paris, 260
Anjer, P>ay of, in Java, 271
Anjdle, near Batavia, Chinese temple at, 257
Anuabuu, island of, 197
"Aunales des Sc. nat. Zool.", 81 et seq. ; 96, 333, 341, 369
Anniseed, 230
Anona squamosa, 200
Anonymous Dedication, Ixxi
Anselin (Jtobert) 6, 52, 54, 135, 156
Antarctic Ocean and region, 349
Antelopes, at the Cape, 278
Anthropophagi of Java, 269
Antiaris toxicaria, or Antsjar, poison of, 264
Antidote, serpent- stone, 234
Antilles, Uistoirc naturcllc des iles, by Rochefort, 17, 69, 90, 94, 256, 290, 292 ; manatees in waters of the, 74
Antipodes, 14 ; islands of the, 119
Antiquaries, wretched set of, 133
Antiquities, Roman, Ixxx
Anti-trades, or passage winds, in Indian Ocean, 111
Ant-nests, of fat earth, or canes, in Java, 225
Antony's ship, 97
Ants, that have their nests a-top of the bamboos, 225 ; white or ter- times, 225
Apes, of divers kinds 204
Apes at the Cape, 278 ; at Mauritius, 204
Aphmwptcryx, allied to Gelinotes of Rodriguez, 81
Apolliue, St., or Santa Appollonia, 309, 310, 313
Apology, John Bunyan's, Ixxvi
Appeal from sentence of Council to
Bativvia, 182 Appendix A., xxxvii, 308 ; Ai>peudix
B., xxxix, 320 ; Appendix C, 77,
341 ; Appendix D , 210, 358 ;
Appendix E., 70, 369 Apple, 200 ; custard, ih. " Apprenti Moine", Philosophic d',
176 Apr^s de Mannevillette, M. d', 66 Apricock, an, 199 Apteryx, 370 Aqua-vitcp, bottles of, given to
prisoners 166; price of, at the
Cape, 282 ; given in exchange for
cattle, 293 Aqiiileia, Church of, Ixxxi Arabians, modern divination of, 257 Arabic term, Amhcr, 87 Arak, bottle of, 153 Araque, a strong liquor made of
sugar, 198, 200 Aracjue, too much drunk by sailor at
the helm, 303 Arbour, a fine, 67, 104 Arhrc, d Pa;/odes, 67 ; Pavilion, 103;
de Reys, 68 ; des Bauianes, ib. Arcadia, 136
Archbishop Gerbert, 132 Archipelago Mascarene, 377 ; dis- covery of i-slands of, 308 Archives, Portuguese, 308 ; de la
Marine, 339 Ardea megarcphala, 335, 343 Areca, catechu, or betel palm, 230,
264 ; Arcca jaunatre, 332 Arequa, nuts, 229 Aristotle, on the rcmora, 97 Arithmetic, Arabian skill in, 132 Arms of Portugal, 41, 317. See map
of Bourbon Arms, of jiriests, chaplets of beads on,
257 Arms, heraldic of Le Gnat, xvii Ai'ms, inspector of, for King of
England, 148 ; of adventurers
seized, 159 Arms of France, erected in Rodriguez,
xxxviii Army of Hottentots, defeated, 295 Arrows, poisoned, used by Karens,
264 Arsenal at Paris, library of, xxxv, 2 ;
librai-ian of, x Artichokes, 44, 56 Artiktl-hricf, of Dutch East India
Company, 167 Artillery, good at island of Onrut,
227 ; Artillery Place, Port Louis,
375 ; Artillery, Royal, 375
INDEX.
387
Artocarpus intcf/rifolia, 201
Artuve, island of, 66
Ascension, island of, Mars expedition
to, 300 ; sea elejihauts of, 74 Ascension, particulars of that island,
301 Asliburnham MSS., 38 Ashes, natives lying in, at the Cape,
291 ; used to fructify seed, 57 Ashmolean museum, xlix, 1 Asliuiolean Society, President of.
Dr. Strickland, 1 Asiatic Journal, 1 Assassins, punished with death,
among the Hottentots, 291 Assemblies of Hottentots, 296 Assembly of Seventeen, the, 192, 283 Asses, wild, at the Cape, 278 ; at
Island of Salt, 12; in Mauritius, 209 Association, British, at Birmingham,
3.53 Aston, Sergeant, liii Astncida;, corals, 110 Astree, 1', 49 Astrologer, Archbishop Gerbert, an,
132 Astrology of the Hottentots, 295 Astronomer Royal, at the Cape,
Dr. Gill. 300 Asylum, and refuge, for ships of all
nations, Batavia, 226 Atheists and deists, 297 Athene iniirivora, 333, 336, 344 Atlantic Ocean, North, 301 et seq. ;
South, 298 Atlas, English, by Ogilby, 289 ct seq. ;
of Santarem, 308, 310 Atte Atticr, 200 Aubonne, near Berne, 2 Auchmuty, Sir Samuel, 221 Auditor General of Mauritius, li Augsberg, league of, 164, 271, 272 Auk, the great, 370 Australia, 384
Auteur qui Texplique, 1', 46 Author (The) of this relation aban- dons his country, and wherefore,
1, 127 ; his character, Pref. ; I'ich
without riches, ih. ; makes a
good cheer without bread, 105 ;
0])poses a second embarking, 119 ;
his country, 6, 127 ; his age, 6, 121 ;
is very sick, 161 ; recovers himself
because there is no phj^sician in
his island, 162 ; his thanksgiving
hymn, 304 Author, life of, introduction, xvii Author's preface, Ixxv Authors, whether they ought to
name themselves so, Pref. Ixxxiv
Avare, 1', of Moli6re, 46
Avarice, root of all evil, 190 ; a vice
unknown to the Hottentots, 296 Avenue, natural, 102 ; at the Cape,
275, 276 Avezac, M. d', xxxix, 315 Avis Indica, by CoUaert, 361, 363 Avium Vivcp Ironcs, 363 Avoca, pear, 201 Azores, the, 301
B.
Babol, hanging gardens of, 275 Backgammon, trictrac, 104 Back-yards, of Dutch, at Black River,
147 Budamicr, 201 Badge of slavery and subjection to
the Tartars, 252 Baggs, gunny and vacoa, 188 Bahamas, the, 301 Bale aux Huitres, 324 Bale de I'ile Furneaux, 146 ; du Cap,
ibid. Bakej-, J., Mr., on Mascarene flora,
xiii, 62, 67, 70, 201 Balais, bois, 332 Baleine, or Whale, a Syriaque word,
25 Balfour, F. H., on the Chinese classic,
Nan-Hua, 244 Balfour, Professor I., Pref., xiii, li,
52, 53, 57, 61, 65, 67 ct seq., 87,
202 ; Introd., 325, 327 ct seq. Baliers, inhabitants of Baly, 237 Balk, or Balken, stocks or " stombs",
158 Baly, Island of, 264 Bamboo mountains, Mauritius, 147,
206 Bamboos, very large in the Island of
Java, 225 ; huts made of, 261 ;
stages of, for fireworks, 254 Banana, 52 Bananetrees, sent from Mauritius to
IJoilriguez, 152 ; in St. Helena, 299 Bananes, of Batavia, 229 ; of Boitr-
bon, 44 ; of Mauritius, 198 ; of St.
Helena, 299 Bauanier, figured by Leguat, after
Rochefort, 290 Banians, Banians' Tree, or I'arbre des
Banianes, 68 Banishment, penalty of, at the Cape,
278 Banks' Fort in St. Helena, 299 Bantam, 237 Bantam Bay, 271 Banyan, the, xiv, 67, 68
388
INDEX.
Baobab, iuscriptiou ou trunks of, 110
Baptism, a Ceremony us'd by the tSeameu upon cutting the Line or Tropicks, 19 ct scq.
Bar of Batavia, the, 216
Barbarians at the Cape, 291
Barbier, M., xxxii
Barclay, Captain, 352
Bark, a singuhir sort, 105, 107, 113, 12(3 ; weather-beaten, 146
Barkly, Sir Henry, 67
Barley, 44
Barn- Rats, 46
Barometer, usefulness of, treatise ou, Ixxi
Baron Grant, " History of Mauritius," by, XXXV ; <S'ee Grant
Baronius, 130
Barracks of Artillery, in Port Louis, 375
Barrel, without a head, 165
Barriques, 163
Barrier reefs, of coral islands, 109
Barrow and lievaillaut, MM., ou the "tablier", 293
Barros, quoted, 316
Basking shark, 322
Bassin, Grand, Crater Lake of, 146
Bass's Straits, otaries of, 74
Batavia, Bay of, 226
Batavia, 41, 182, 190, 191, 216 ; situation and description of that city, 225 et seq. ; of the citadel, 222; the place of arms fiU'd with fine houses, 223 ; churches of Batatia, 224 ; extent of its suburbs, 225 ; its garden, ih. ; its harbour very fine, 226 ; this city the general magazine of the Company, ih. ; the Asylum of ships of all other nations, ib. ; temperateness of the climate, 227 ; ordinary drink of the inhabitants, 228 ; the fruits, 229 ; the animals eaten there, 231 ; little game there, ib. ; a great deal of fish, ih. ; Batavia is no city of good cheer, 232 ; inhabited by divers nations, 236 ; languages spoken there, ih. ; manners and customs of the inhabitants, 239-261
Council of .1 ustice at. 1 93 ; fish
from, 2ii5 ; sharks at, 96 ; collec- tion at, for French refugees in Cape Colony, 285 ; Diodati in, 148 ; im- palement of a Macassar slave at, 182 ; length of voyage from, 304 ; voyage to, 216; from, 302
Battery, on He de la Passe, 159 ; Queen's, 209
Batts, as large as hens, in the Isle of Eden, and withall good to eat, 54 ; they are likewise in the Island of Rodrigo, 85 ; they are not over good to eat, 45, 85 ; delicate food iu Isle Maurice, 211, 347, 372
Bau])et, Father de. Bishop of Alais, 259
Baj', of Anjer, 271 ; of Batavia, 226 ; of Bantam, 271; Both's, 172; Ma^jou, 173
Bayeux, 18
Bayle, M. Pierre, " Nouvellcs de la Ropublique," par, xxxi
Beads, chaplets of, worn by Chinese ])riests, 257 ; by devotees at Loretto, 132
Bcaylc, voyage of the, 66, 91
Beak-head, of the ship, right of cut- ting off, 21
Beam of oak, found at Rodriguez, 107, 150
Beans, at Eden, 44 ; St. Helena, 299
Beans, kidney, 372
Beards, valued by the Chinese, 251
Beaulieu, General, 161
Beauty, frail, 122
Beauvais, Viuceut of, 132
Beaux- Esprits, 191
Becassines, 85
Beckmann, Jean, xxxiii
Bed-cloaths, taken from adventurers, 159
Beds of State iu China, 255
Beef, buffalo, 231 ; sold by Dutch Company at the Cajjo, 282
Beer, from Brunswick, or Mum, 228 ; cheai) at the Cape, 282
Beetles, 46
Beggars, none at Batavia, 240
Bohring, Vitus, 382
Behring's Island, 74, 382 ; Straits, 383
Bek, the Reverend Heudrik, succeeds Mr. Simoud, 283
Belchei-, Sir E , 66
Belisarius, Justiuian's general, 134
Bell, glasses, 95
Bellin. map by, 309
Btmediction, song of, 22, 191
Beneile (I'aul), one of the adven- turers, xxvii, xxxiii, 121, 122. 135 ; his country, 6, 53; his eulogium. 54 [he at present lives at Amsterdam], 218
Bengal, bulls from, 208 ; birds from, 210 ; ship going to, 213
Bengala, 228
Bengali, 352
Benjamin, Rabbi, Ixxix
Bcnjoin, 329
INDEX,
.".89
Berg, Olof, Commandant of Fort at Cape Town, 32, 275, 281 ; shoots a lion, ibid. Berg, de Zaal, a remarkable bluff
mountain, 162 Berkeley, Mr., lii Berkley Castle, the, 371 Berlin, 2
Berne, Manufactory Hall at, 2, 135 Bernard THermite, 213 Bernard, M. Jacques, Bayle's succes- sor, xxvi, xxxiii, Ixxxviii Berne, xxiv
Bessin, in Calvados, Normandy, 18 Bestel Cove, Mauritius, 148, 197 Betel, the leaf of a shrub much in
use at Batavia, 229, 264 Betrothal, ceremony of, Chinese, 252 Beza, Theodore, Psalms, version of, by
Marot and, 12. 283 ct seq. Bhavabhuti, 264 Bible, translation of, into Italian, 148;
Le Bible de Guyot, 1U8 Bibliography of works mentioned by
author, xviii Bibliothcque d'aventures, xxxvi Bibliotlu'que Auglaise, xxxii Bibliotheque Britimnique, xxiv, xxxii Bibliothcque de la Marine, catalogue
de la, xxviii Bibliothcque Nationale, xi Biche-en-rut, 175 Bieli Tsar, Belisarius, 134 ISigots of the Cal/tolirk religion, 5 Bigottry and superstition dishonours
religion, 131 Bilged, or bulged on the sands, ship,
150 Billets and magick characters, 264 Biographic Uuiverselle, xxiv Bird fauna of Rodriguez, ix Bird I., 159
Birds, of the Isle of Eden, 44, 49. 319 ; of Isle Maurice, 178 ; of the Rock, 176 ; of St. Helena, 298, 300 Birds of Ascension Island, 301 ; of Bourbon, 45, 319
of Mauritius, present avifauna,
178 ; extinct avifauna, 320 ct neq. of Rodriguez, present avi- fauna, 49 ; extinct avifauna, 49, 77 ct seq., 320 et scq. Birds, land, 45, 77
sea, 21, 82, 176
Binjus latro, 91
Birmingham, British Association
meeting at, 353 Biscuit, 55, 105 ; white, 166 Bishop of Alais, 259 ; of Condom, 258; of Grasse, 22; of Meaux, 258 ct seq.
Bitterns or Butors, 44, 81, 210, 335, 343 Bitumen, black, 87 Bivar, Rodrigue Diaz de, the Cid, 121 Blaauwberg, beach. Penguin island
near, 29 Black-backs, whales so called, 22 Black, Captain, xlix Black, that colour hath its beauty,265 Blackbirds, 44, 211 Black Lion, the, a Dutch ship, 31 Black River, Mauritius, 146 ct seq
174, 193, 207, 208, 209 Black South-Easter, a peculiar mist
272 Blackwood's Magazine, account of
Robben Island in, 273 Blainville, de, Sirenia classed with
elephants by, 75, 380 Blanche M(juntains, 206 Blanfort, M., xxxiii Bloc, or estrapade, stocks, 158 Blockade of the Mascarene Islands
xlvi Blood of deer, sucked by tigers, 281 Blood, flux of, 161, 220 ; letting with
a pen-knife, 170, 171 Blue-bird of Bourbon, 370 Blume, the author, 264 Boa Esperau(ja, 30 Board of Deacons, at Batavia, 285 Boars, wild, in Maurice, 208; in Java
231 Boats, races of light, at Batavia, 254 Boatswain bird, 329 Bochart, quoted, 25 ; Bochartus,
S^'.muel, his Hierozoicon, ib. Bodkins, ornaments to the Chinese
heads at Batavia, 242 Boen, 49
Boeuf, bird named, 327 Boh tin. Upas, the poison tree of Java
264 Boileau, Ixxix
Bois, cabri, 69 ; d'olive, 53, 110, 350 ; puaut, 69 ; jasmin, 201 ; mapou,' 201 ; tambour, 202 ; deTierle. 202 ; Bois, various, named in " Jiclation de Rudrigue", 331 ct seq. Bois, Gros, the, 203 Bonaparte, He, xlvi. 3 Bonavista, Island of, 15 Bonds of marriage, observed by
Hottentots, 291 Bongart, Christiaan, dedicatory letter
to, Ixi Bonitos, fish. 10, 17 Bonne Vue, Isle de, 14 Boi>bics, and noddy-terns, 82, 8^,301,
326, 347, 352 Booby Island, 88, 324
!0
INDEX.
Book (Tlie Gulden), the work of one
of the Disciples of Confucius, 243 Borneo, a poisonous tree of that
islaml, 262 Boscawen, Admiral, passage of, xxxix,
84 Boscobel, 51 ; remains of the Royal
Oak, where K. Charles II hid him- self, respected, 51 (tobacco boxes,
etc., made of them, 5 1 ) Bossuet, Biijhop of Meaux, 258 ct scq. Botanical gardens of Pa-mplemousses,
376 ; at the Cape, 275 Botany Bay, Phillip's voyage to, 366 Botany of Uodriguez, Hi Both's Bay, near Grand Port, 172, 206 Botos, vessels of goatskin, 166 Boucane', 108, 141 Boucher, M. Desforges, xxxix, 344 Boughs, float of, IfciS Bouggiuese, 237 Bouhier, M. le President, xxvi, xxxi,
Ixxxviii Bouillon, Cardinal de, 260 BouUaye le-Gouz, Sieur de la, 68 Bourbon, Island of, or Eden, xviii, 3,
41, 156, 201, 317, 319, 322, 339, 356,
359, 369 Bourbon, Port, or Grand Port, 148 Bourgogne, province of, 1 Buurguignois, xli Boussole, comjjass, 108 Boutonneers, or Madurese, 237 Bouton, M., 376
Bouttats, Gasjjar, an engraver, 178 Bowls, game of, 104 Box Wood in Mauritius, 372 Boyen, Florent, father of Adrian VI, 5 Boyer (Isaac), xxvii, his country, 6,
63, 115, 135 ; his death, 116 ; his
epitaph, 116, 117, 129 Braam, van J., Kaart van liet Ejdand
Mauritius, by, 146, 172, 197, 206 Brahma, or Rama, 68 Brain of shark, 96 Bramens, 68 Bramines, 234
Branches, chapel made of, 180 Brande, Ste., an island, 65, 66 ; St.
Brandon, lb. Brandenburgh, Army of Elector of, 6,
53 Brandt's monograph on Sirenia, 383 Brandy and tobacco, in token of peace,
295 Brandy, distilled from fruit, 228 Brasilo, Ananas of, 199 Brava, the port of, 314 Breaches, channels through the reef, 112, 119
Bread, ordinary of rice, 228
Bread, 57; value of, at the Cape, 282;
given to Hottentots to work, 286 Bread-Fruit Trees, 236 Breakers, Brisans, 47, 76, 113, 140 Breams, 372
Breasts of the Hottentot women, 292
Bresil, 14
Bresse, province of, xvii, 1 ; good and little, 127 ; obtained from Savoy, ib.
Brewer, Dr., Diet, of Phrase, 69
Bridet, Lieut., meteorologist at Bour- bon, 36
Brisans, quatre-vingt, the name of a reef, 140
Brisans, what they are, 47, 76 ; trans- lated shelves, 47, 76, 113, 139
Brisson, M., xliv
British Association at Birmingham, 353
British Museum, 373, 381
Britain, south, oxen of, 280
Broedelet, publisher, Ixi
Broken alive on the wheel, slave, 181
Bromdia, ananas, 198, 199 ; fastuosa, 199
Brook, a great, in Rodriguez, 50
Broth refused to sick prisoner, 161
Briiggemann, Dr., on corals, lii, 110
Brunswick Beer, 228
Bubble, to, 93
Bubo madayascariensis, 344
Buccaneers, 108, 193
Buckler, glass bells a good, 95
Buffaloes, at Java, commonly sold by the butchers, 231, 232
Butfettiug of pigeons and solitaire, lii
BufFon, 45 ; Leclerc de, xxi
Bufo mclanostictus, 214
Bugey, et Bresse, xvii
Buggese, inhabitants of Celebes, 237, 263
Buildings, solid, overturned by hurri- cane, in Mauritius, 170
Buis, Bois de, 332
Bulg'd, or bilged on sands, ship, 150, 152
Bullet (of a cannon) sing'd a ser- geant's beard at the Cape without hurting him, 32 ; another like acci- dent, ib.
Bullets, 55 ; little strings of, worn by Chinese, 257
Bullock's collection, at Liverpool, 366
Bullocks, oxen, 372
Bulls, St. Helena, 300
INDEX.
191
Banyan's Apology, Ixxvi
Burgher, at Drakenstein, killed by a
leoj-ard, 281 Burghers, at Mauritius, 153 ; under
Ensign Schryver, sent against
Hottentots, 295 Burgundy, Province of, 6 Burial-places of Chinese, 225; burials
of Chinese, 254 ct seq. Burniah, 264
Burners, liine, on Robben Island, 29 Burning-glass, 105 ; taken ashore by
Testard, 187 Burnt country, pays hruU, 206 Butchers, Chinese, bless their meat,
261 Butler, Mr., Hi Butors. or Bitterns, in Rodriguez, 81,
335 ; in Mauritius, 210 Byron, Lord, the " Prisoner of
Chillon", by, 170
C.
Cabbage of a palm tree, Q\ ct seq-
Cabbage palm, 371
Cabbages, Charibbean, in Eden, 44
Cabbins, in Rodriguez, 52, 69
Cables of ships broken, 272
Cabo de Boa Esperan§a, 30
Cabo tormentoso, 30, 298
Cabot, a fish, 205
Cacao, 201
Caccabis chukar, the Indian partridge, in St. Helena, 300
Cachots, translated dungeons, 133
Cadatnusto (Aloi/sio) afraid of the whales, 23, 25; history of his naviga- tion, ib.
Caen, General de, 147, 148
Ctvlestina, a celebrated tragi-comedy, by Mateo Aleman, 178
Ca;sar's Commentaries, authors of, Ixxviii, 279
Cafres. Sec Hottentots, 287 ct seq.
Caille, M. de la, 195, 214
Cake and a die, game with, 176
Calaba, 221
Calappus, casimrina, 197
Caldwell, Mr., 357
Calf ats, 210
Caliph Hakim II, 132
Calm, comes after a storm, 30, 298
Calm, profound, in midst of a hur- ricane, 95
Calms, 196
Calophnllum, 203
Calvados, Normandy, Bessin in, IS
Calves, sent to Rodriguez, 151
Calvinists, 1
Cambridge Museum of Anatomy and
Zoology, frontispiece, introduction,
xii, 357, 377 Camelions, common at the Cape,
280 Camisards, the psalms, chanted by,
283 Camp, Dutch, at Noort Wester Haven,
Mauritius, 149 Campbell, T., the poet, lines on
"Napoleon and the Sailor", 163,
164, 185 Campongs, occupied by Javanese, at
Batavia, 261 Canaan, 134 Canals, at Batavia, 222, 225 ; at
Cape Town, 276 Canaries, islands of that name, 8, 11 Canary birds, 84 Canary nut tree, 221 Cancer sanyuinolcntus, 213 Cancer, tropic of, 379 Canes, bamboos, as large as one's
thigh, 225 ; other sorts, ih. Canghehu, a forked mountain top in
China, 249 Canopy over idol, 258 ; of cloud on
Table Mountain, 272 Canticle, 191, 192, 304 Canticles of David, 36 ; translation
of, 284 Cap, Bale du, 146 Cape, a large, 144 Cape Colony, described by Valeutyn,
275 Cape Coraorin, 310, 313 Cape Cory, 313 Cape Guardafui, 313 Cape Malheureux, xlvii Cape of Good Hope, ix, 4, 26, 29, 30
ct seq. ; 70, 105, 182, 188, 216, 271
ct seq. ; discovered by Diaz, 30,
298, 311 Cape of Torments, 30, 290 ; Needles,
or Agulhas, 34 Cape Pigeons, 28
"Cape Quarterly Review", 275, 285 Cape Verde Islands, 11 Cape Verdrain, 256 CapUlaire, 333 Capitaine Anglois, 150 Vnpitainc, the fish, 322 Capitation impost on Chinese in
Jara, 241 Cajjitulation of Mauritius, xlvii Capoc, a sort of cotton, 65, 120 Capricorn, trojne of, 21, 308, 384 Capsicum cordiformc, 65 Captain-General, Alfonso d'Albo-
querque, 315
392
INDEX.
Captain, presence of mind of the,
303; Valleau, 49, 150, 151 Captains of Dutch East India
Company, 166 Capuchin Christians at Rodriguez,
xliii Capuchin monk, Pere Hyacinthe, 3 Caraib Indians, rats unknown to, 90 Carangue, caranx, 322 Carapaces of tortoises, 71, 373 et scq. Carcluirias, 322 Carcharodon, 322 Cardinal, the bird, 210, 322 Cardinal de Bouillon, 260 Cardinal de Luynes, xli Cardinal Richelieu, xvii, 22 Cardinal, Tournou, 98 Careless (Captain) in an oak with
Charles II, 51 Cargados Carajos, the Abbe Rochon
on situation of, xxxix, 66 Carica papaya, 201 " Carmiuum, Liber", Horace ad
Virgilium, 118 Carnaval of the Chinese, 253 Carp, 205 Carre. JI., Voyaye des Indcs Oriental cs,
358 Carta universalis, preserved
Weimar, 310 Cartridge, powder for, 133 Casarea, python, 214 Cascades, at Rodriguez, 59
Tristan d'Acunha, 27 Case (Jacques de la), one of the
adventurers, xxxiii, 6, 53, 135, 194,
203, 218, 220, 233 ; is at present in
America, 53 Case (A.) for the Hottentot's tools,^
288 Cashew-nut, 201 Cassowaries, 370 Ca.stanheda, Lopez de, 312 Castel, M., 376 Caste tree, Kasta, 69 C'astifjue, 333 Castle-gate, in fortress at Cape Town,
lion's skins in, 281 Castleton, Captain, of the Pearl,
^•isits Mascaregne, Ivi Castor and Pollux, 35, 38 Casuarina, filao, 197 Catalogue Gdue'ral de la Bibliotheque
de la Marine, xxviii Caterpillars, 45, 95, 212 ; eaten by
Hottentots, 290 Catharine islands, 325
at
at
Catholic churches, Chinese temples
resembling, 257 Catholicks (, Roman) have liberty of conscience at Patavia, 225 ; but they are to have no publick exer- cise of their religion, ih.; Irish, 255 Cats, Jacob, emblems of, 116 Cats, 90 ct scq. ; wild, at the Cape, 278 ; destruction of birds by, in Rodriguez, 347 Cattle, black, in Eden. 44 ; new- comers forbidden to kill, at the Cape, 280 Canche, Fran9ois, voyage de, 110,
334, 357, 358, xxxviii Cave in the rock, refuge in, 170 Cavclaye (calfatage), 323 Cavendish, the voyager, 300 Caves, Pointe aux, 174 Cavities of the mountains, 95 Cedars in Eden, 43 Ceilou, island of, 296 Celebes, an island, 263, 264 ; in- habitants of, 263 Celibacy, constraint of, effect of, 124 Cellar of the State at Genoa, 278 Cellar rats, 46
Cemetery, of Chinese, at Batavia, 254 Censure, on tj-rauts, unjust judges, false nobles, wanderers in religion, impertinent heterodox persons, blockheads that pretend to preach, sacrilegious villains, false zealots, pedants of all sorts, verse makers, admirers of the ancients, honest murderers, etc., makers of visits, etc., 130, 131; and on impious per- sons, 191 Ceremonies (funeral) of the Chinese, 256 et se>/.; none at marriage of Javans, 268 Ceremonies, mysterious,of Hottentots,
289, 297 Cerue, the sea beyond, 302 ; dis- covered by Portuguese, 195 Cetacea, 22, 75, 380 Cetorldnus, 322 Ceylon, island of, 312 ; natural history
of, 67, 75, 86, 296 Ceyx and Alcyone, by Dr3^den, 112 Chacrelats, a people that can't bear the light, 270 ; they are white and fair, ib. Chainouqua, tribes, in S. Africa, 294 Chains, or reefs of rocks, 109 Chair, magnificent, of Chinese fiancd, 252
1 Sic, in English version, in the French original, " Mui des Hottentots".
INDEX.
393
Challenrjer, H.M.S., at Tristan d'A- ciinba, 26 ; exi)editiou, 109
Chaloupe, of Eugli.sh captaiu, 150 ; of company, 156, 165
Chaloupes and iisher-boats at Batavia, 226
Chamberlain, Dr., Present State of England, bj"^, 51
Chamberlain, Lord High, Ixxi
Chamisso, 66
Champion of the party, M. Benelle,! 11
Channel, buoyed, 119; the English, 16
Chansons, de Cleineut Marot, 284
Chapel of branches, burnt, 180
Chapell, Wm., 39
Chapels of Chinese, 257
Chaplets of beads, worn by Chinese priests, 257
Charibbcau cabbages, 44
Charity of Chinese, 243 ; of Hotten- tots, 293
Charron, Bois, 329
Charles I, Ivi; Charles II, 51 ; Charles V, Emperor, Ixxxi
Charts of, Diego Kibero. 30S ; Diego Ruys, 1 ; Grand Port, 161 ; Masca- reneA.rchipelago.309 ; MathurinBay, 48 ; Ri'union, 319 ; Rodriguez, xx
Charybdis upon Scylla, Ixsxii
Chasse-maree, 119
Cheer, good, without bread, at Ro- dri'jiie, Ixxxvi, 105
Cheik, Ibu Molana, an Arabian in- vader of Java, 267
Cheloniau order, 373 ; ancient race, 374, 375
Cheribon, magnificent tomb at, 268
Chess, game of, 104
Chests, in the bark, 113
Chicoree, Cichoriwm, 56, 57
Chief Justice of Bourbon, 3
Chiefs, hereditary, or kings of South Africa, 294
Chiefs : The chiefs of the people are jxiid for endeavouring to make them happy. They are oftentimes occa- sions of the sins and misfortunes of the people, 244, 245
ChicndaU, a herb, 333
Child of Geneva, 191
Children, Hottentot, instruction of, desinible, 298
" Chillon, rrisoner of," by Byron, 170
Cliiuiene, la belle, 121
China, pictures from, 241
China gold fish, 205
China pork, 231
Chinese in Java, 225, 236, 211 ; com- l)any at Batavia occupies a suburb, ib. ; capitation impost on, 241
Chineses, have burying-places and pagodes at Batavia, 225, 227 ; they make a great figure there, 241 ; there are above ten thousand of them, ib. ; they pay a crown a month to the company, 242 ; have a chief who sits in the council, and has a vote in case of the condemning of any of that nation, ib. ; their character, ibid. ; are very politick, ib. ; their maimers and customs, tlieir ijrinciples about charity, ai-e conformable to those of our Saviour, 243 ; an extract of one of their l)()()ks, intitled " The Golden Book", ib. ; their tables, 252 ; their man- ner of dressing, 251 ; their trade, ib. ; their marriages, 252 ; their divertisements, 253 ; make no scruple of sodomy, ib. ; their bu- rials, 256 ; absurd questions they ask those that are about to die,
255 ; carry presents to their tombs,
256 ; their pagodes much like Ro- man Catholick churches, as well as the ornaments of their priests, 257 ; their worship, 258 ; their bead rolls,
257 ; they worship but one God,
258 ; cha.stise their subaltern dei- ties when they don't do their duty,
259 ; Chineses that are not settled at Bataria, can't stay there but six months, 251 ; why they wear a tuft of hair,.. 251 ; the opinion of the Chinese philosopher con- cerning the duty of great men and of those that govern'd the people, 224
Choisy, Abbe de, xxx, Ixxvii, Ixxviii 223
Chopsticks of the Chinese, 251
Christian converts, male and female, in Java, 268
Christian inhabitants at the Cape, 296 _
Christianity, in what it consists, 242, 243 ; is unhappily divided, although all agree in fundamental points, 268
Christians, successors to the Israel- ites, 129
Chronological History of Plants, by Dr. Pickering, 264
Chronology of events, 1
Chuang Tze and Sao, Chinese sages, 243
Church, Malay converts in, 268 ; French, at Drakenstein, 283 ; pas- tor of, ibid, ; Walloon, at Leydeu 148
DD
394
INDEX.
Churches, French, xxii
Cicero, Pref., Ixxviii ; gardens of, 275
Cid, the, 121
Cinnamon, 201
Cintra, Pedro de, 23
Circumcision, 289
Circumference of Mauritius, mcasui-ed
by Lamotius, 151 Cirne, 314 ct scq. ; vide Cerne, Ivi Cirques, 42, 195
Citron-trees, 151 ; citrocn-boomen, 1 97 Citrons, hurtful in Isle Maurice, 175;
of Isle Maurice, 197 Citrons, Cape, 275 ; Mauritius, 151,
175, 197 ; St. Helena, 299 Citronilles, 175
Clapping of hands by Hottentots, 289 Clark, J. W., M.A., on the Solitaire,
Introduction, Hi, 356 Clas, a surgeon, 150, 152 Clcrodendron lanciniatum, 69 Cliffs of St. Helena, 298 Climate, at Batavia, 227 ; at Bourbon,
39 ; at Cape, 276, 286 ; Mauritius,
215; Rodriguez, 58; St. Helena, 299 Clove, spice, 201 Clover-grass, 56 Clytemnestra, 38 "Coaches and Horses", a misprint for
" Clothes and Houses," 296, 297 Cobbler, horse mackerel, 322 Cobler, Dutch, with slave and um-
brello, in Java, 241 Cochin, 310 Cochon marrou, 208 Cockle-shells, worn by Hottentots,291 Cocks, cock-fighting, the people's di- version at Java, 232 Coco Island, 6Q, 334 Cocos, or cocoes, 65 et scq., 199, 229 Cocos nucifera, nuts of, thrown on
coast by the sea, 65 ct scq., 199 Code of the Isle of France, 339 ^ Codine, M. Jules, of the Societe de
Geograjjhie, on the Mascarene Is.,
X, 41, 308 ctscq., 317 Coffee, 56, 229 ; as dear at Batavia
as in Holland, 229 Coghlan, Lieut., chart of Grand Port
by, vii, ICl Coin de Mire, island near Mauritius,
214 Cold, unknown at Batavia, 227 Coligny, wounded at Moncontour, 283 Collaert, viii, 361, 363 Collection of rooney at Batavia for
P'rench refugees in Cajie colony,
285 " Collectiones Peregrinationum in In- dian! Uricntalem," 371
Collet rouge, or flying fox, 45
Colonic, Point de la, Mauritius, 148
Colonies, Dutch, jn.stice, administra- tion of, in, 181, 182 ; described by Valcutyn, 275
Colony, propos'd for the Isle Eden, or Mascavcjiia ; 2. Projection for that colony ; 3. Of the French re- fugees at the Cape, 277
Coluphanc Mauritiana, a large tree of Mauritius, 152
Columha rodcricana, 82, 345
Columbvis, weed-sea discovered by, 302
Columella, the " siser" of, 288
Column and inscription left at Isle Rodrigo, 135
Column, found in Numidia, 134
Columns of Hercules, 135 ; of Ephorus, 309
Colville, Sir Charles, Governor of Mauritius, xlviii
Combats, of male and female Soli- taries, lii, 79
Comedies, or Farces, and shows of the C'hincscs, 253
Commanders, Dutch, 36
Commandeur, Pieter de Goj^er, 148 ; Hubert Hugo, 151
Commentaries of Caesar, commen- ded by Cicero, for the simplicity of their stile, Ixxviii ; criticiz'd upon, 279 ; unicorn mention'd in, ib.
Commentary on the Testament, a large, 99
Commerce in cattle, forbidden to new- comers at the Cape, 293
Commerson, the father of Mascarene genera, 202
Common Hall (Hotel), 52
Comorin, Caj)e, 310
Comj^aguie des ludes Orientales, xix, xxxviii, 339
Company (the Dutch) of the Fast Indies, xvii, xxiii, 181, 182, 216, 217, absolute, in the Island of Java, 237; the Gitiercd of that Company and his lady make a great figure at Batavia, 239 ; the Company keeps the sol- diers under, for preservation of the liberty of their colonies, 241 ; keeps up commerce with the Hottentots, 293
Compass, the, invention of, 108 ; sub- stitute for, ihid., 142
Complements, 133
Compression of feet of Chinese child- ren, 253
Comptes rendus des seances de I'Aca- ddmie des Sciences, 320 et scq.
Comte {Pirc Ic) quoted, 259
INDEX.
395
Comte cV Anjcnson, the, xl Concubines, Javan and negro women
as, 253 Coude, a so-called, 267 Condom, Bishop of, Bossuet, 258 Confections, at Genoa, 278 Confidant, the reader, 128 Confinement of Italian ladies, 124 Conflagrations of woods in Rodriguez,
:-574 Confucius, stil'd the wise King of
Letters, 243 Congregation, of French refugees, at
Zierickzee, 2.^3
of Malaj's at Batavia, 225
Conington, Professor, translation of
Virgil by, 136 Consanguinity, friends by, custom of,
in Africa, 291 Conscience, freedom of, denied to
Huguenots in France, 1 ; allowed
to Roman Catholics by the Dutch,
225 Constantia, a ]ileasure-house of the
Governour at the Ca)>e, 276 Consul, American, 148, 174, 179 ;
British, at Reunion, 174 Consumption, a lingering, 171 Contentious women, 124 Continent of Africa, discovered by
Diaz, 298 Continent persons, 124 Controversies, 101 Convict establishment for Batavia, at
Mauritius, xxi, 147 Comvlvulus Batatas, 207 Conway, H.M.S., xlix Coots, 44 ; Geaut compared with Coot,
362 Copemau, 194
Copper Island, Rhytiua on, 383 " Coiire," a French ]>rivateer or corsair,
Dutch term for, 7 Copyist, unskilful, 131 Coq de bois, 211 Coq d'Inde, 358 Coracopsis raza, 210 Coral, 43 ; point, 326 ; reefs, 47, 109,
114, 119 ; bits of, worn by Hotten- tots, 291 Corbeau, xliv Cordage, 111
Codonnicr, horse mackerel, 322 Cordova, 132 Corlieux, curlew, 329 Cormorant, 329 Corn, at Batavia, 228 ; at Bourbcm,
44 ; Cape, 277 ; Maiirice, 207 ;
Rodriguez, 57 ; St. Helena, 299 Corn, bought by the State, 278, 2S2
Corn, 33; carrj-'d from Holland to Isle
Rodrigo, does not thrive there, 57 Corneille, Le grand, "Le Cid," by, 121 Corneille'.s " Dictiouuaire des Arts et
des Sciences," 74 Cornish, Admiral, xlv Corps de Guard, 224 Correspondence of Pastor Simond,
extant at the Cape, 283 CorresiJondeuce of the He de France,
320 Corsair, or " copre"', 7 Corselets, iron, of the Macassars, 264 Corypha mahracuUfcra, 52 Cossigny, M. de, 211 Costentin, in Normandy, 18 {sec Coten-
tin) Costume, summer, of Hottentots,
288 ; winter ditto, ih. Cotentin, in Normandy, 18 {see
Costentin) Cotes, Professor Roger, Ixxxi Cotton, in Rodriguez, 327 Cotton, 44 ; mill, 204 Cotton, of the Latanier, 65 ; of
Plantaiics, 120 (.see Ca|)Oc) Coudrier, 333 Council of justice, at Batavia, Cape,
etc., xxi, 182, 183 Council of naval officers, 167 Council of Trent, 131 Country of delight, Edeu or Masca-
regne, 41 County of Hereford, Ixxi Coup d'e'tat, at Bourbon, effected by
the Curd of St. Paul, 3 Courlis, 329
Courtras, the battle-cry of the Hu- guenots at, 283 Coutinho, Don Fernando, Marshal,
312 c< scq. Cove, Bestel, Mauritius, 148 Covetousness the root of all evil, 190 Cow (A Sea), 28 Cows, Kentish and Middlesex, 9 ; at
Mauritius, 208 ; at St Helena, 300 Coi/anq, a measure of rice, 189 Criib island, 88, 326 Crabs (land), 91 ; sea crabs, 93, 323 :
carry away a purse, ib. ; land and
sea-ciabs at Isle Maurice, 213, 372 Crater-cirques iu Reunion, 42, 195 Crayfish, 213
Creole patolc, or snake gourd, 175 Creoles, 69
Crest of parrot, fiontal, 371 Cric, or crit, a poisou'd woniard us'd
by the Javans, 264 ; those of Ma-
cassra* and the Island of Celebes,
263
396
INDEX.
Cries of Hottentots, 29f)
Criminal affairs in Dutch colonies,
182 et sc(j. Crocodile's head, serpent with a, 174 Crocodiles, common iu tbe Isle of
Java, 233 ; what is said of them,
ilj. ; a reward given by the Com-
pany to those that kill them, ib. ;
the flesh is good to eat, ih. ; fables
related of thcui, ib. Croker's edition of Boullaye-Le-
Gouz, 68 Crombie, Mr., lii
Cross and thorns of tribulation, 135 Crow, Indian, represented in De Bry's
engiaving, 371 Crowns of chiefs, or kings, in S. Africa.
295 Crowns, or ecus, Dutch money, equiva- lent of, 154, 282,294 ; ^jremium in,
for lion-killing, 281 Crozettes, Islands, 74 ; Crozet I.,
349 Cruelty to French prisonei'S, 161 Cucumbers, in Eden, 44 Cucurbita potcria, 175 Cunha, Tristan da, 314 ; see Tristan
d'Acuuha, 21, 26 Cuuuiughame, Mr., xlix Cups, shells used as, 179 Cure of malady by nature, 161, 162 Cure of St. Paul, Bourbon, Pere
Hj^acinthe, 3 Curiosity, pernicious in matters of
Religion, 100 ; prurient, 292 Curlew, 8, 351, 372 Currency, Dutch and Indian, 287 Current, rapid, 139, 168 ; Equatorial,
377 Custard, ajiple, 200 Custom : Custom is a tyrant, 133 ;
Custom becomes laws, 2^5 Cuvier, M., xlix Cycle of sun spots, 215 Cyclones, 36, lii Cyclopccdia, Rees', 65 Cyproea, sp., 179
D.
Dactylopterus, 9
Daendeis, Ceneral, 221
Dal'-ymjJe's " Oriental Repositorj-,"
xl, xlv Damhoi'der, Joost de, on Dutch
criminal jurisprudence, 158 Dampier, voyages hy, 112 Dances, of the Hottentots, 289, 296 ;
.super.stitious dances of the Neyrocs
at the Cape, 289, 297
Danger of collision between ships of
Dutch fleet, 302 Danish ships at the Cape, 31 Dapi)er's History of Africa, xxxiii, 273,
289 ct seq. Darmigeaux, M., xxxiii Darting fish, w-ith a pole, 173 Darts ( poison'd), 264 Daruty, M., 376 Darwin, 66, 9] ; theory of, 105 Date tree, 200 Dates, 61 ; of plantane, 64 Daubertin, 45
Daughters of Chinamen, invisible, 253 Dauphin, Fort, 317 " Dauphine, Relation de I'lsle," by
Dubois, Ixi, 45, 256 Dauphind, Reverend P. Simoud of,
282 David, Psalms of, 12 ; in French
metre, 36, 283 Davis, Sir John, his work on China,
244 Davis, voyage of, to East Indies, 309 Dawkins, Colonel, xlviii, 346 Days and nights equal, at Batavia, 227 De Bry, illustrations from " India
Orieutalis'", 371, 374, 381 ; map
given by, 309 Deacons, Board of, at Batavia, 285 Dead Hottentots, fingers of friends
buried with, 291 Dearness of provisions at Batavia,
231, 232 Death, a messenger of good news to
tbe faithful, 101 ; necessity of
death, 1(;2 Death of Chinese, questions asked at,
255 ; punishment of, 253 Deccan, 68 Dedication of Dutch Edition, Ivi ; of
English Edition, Ixii Deer, blood of. sucked by tigers, 281 ;
flesh of, in rutting season, at
Mauritius, 177 ; at the Cape, 278 ;
sent to Rodriguez, 151 ; iu Java,
233. Deer-skins, 180
" Deianara Herculi," Ovidii, 171 Deists and atheists, 297 Deia. city of, 192 Delirious, Isaac Bover, 116 Delon, Dellon or Dillon, 39 Deluge of salt water, raised by \viud,
in hurricane, 95 Demons, ador'd by the Chiueses, 259 Denis, St., 36
Denmark, King of. Cabinet of, 10 Dei)arture, from Cape, 34, 298, from
Rodriguez, xxxvii, 139
INDEX.
397
Dependencies of Mauritius, Pridbara on the, 144
Deputies', 148
Derby Museum, 366
Desart Rock, at Mauritius, 159
Desarts of Rudrigo, 146
Desire, Artus, pubbsber, 284
Desiroe, I'isle, 325
Desires, insatiable, of ambitious and covetuus men, 249
Desjardins, M., xlviii
Deuteronomy, Book of, quoted, 243
Device of Pope Adrian IV, 5 ; of the adventurer, Frigat, ib. ; moral de- vices, 116
Devil's Mountain, 30, 272 ; point, 163
Devotees at Loretto, 131 ct sc/.
Devotions, Chinese, 257 ct scq. ; Romanist, 132
Dews, great, at Rodriguez, 58 ; at St. Helena, 299
Dial, pocket, 108 ; in lieu of compass, 142
Diamond, Bastion, 223 ; Diamond Island, 324
Diarium, of Montfaucon, Ixxx
Diary, Hedges', ix, 153
Diaulus, xxix
Diaz (Barthelemi), discovers the Cape of Good Hope, 30, 298
I lice, remarkable passion for, 182
Dickie, Mr., lii
Dictiounaire des Arts et des Sciences, by T. Corneille, 74
Dictitmary, Brewer's, 69
Dictionary of English Etymology, 93, 120
Dictionary, Geographical, of Bruzen de la Martiniere, xxvi
Dictyospcrma albam, 62, 200
Didunculus, 353
Didus ineptus, the Dodo, 352
Die, game with a, 176
Diego Garcia, island of, 309 ct scq.
Diego-Ruys, island, xxxvii, 4, 41, 47, 50, 110, 315, 321 ; its situa- tion, extent, etc., 50. See Rodi-igo, xxxviii
Diepe Rivier, 146
Dieppe, xxxviii
Diet, bad, in Mauritius, 161
Dieu-doune, skit on Diodati, 65, 158
Dikes in Holland, and at Dunkirk, 226
Dilemma, of life and death, 144
Diuoruis, of New Zealand, the, 370
Diodati (liodolfo), Governour of Isle Maurice, Ivii, 65, 148 ; loves Am- bergreece, 154 ; a person civil and rude according to his interest, 149, 156 ; a great robber, 155 ; acts
treacherously, 158 ; pillages the ad- venturers, 159 ; argues impertin- ently, 164 ; devilishly malicious, 169 ; has a heart of Iharoah, 171 ; isaBusyris, 171 ; a tyrant, 127, 188; a Nejro would have burnt him, 181 ; is an endless persecutor, 191 ; stole the value of 2,000 crowns, 219
Diodati, Roelaf, 127, 145, 148 ct scq.; child of Geneva 191, 193 ; escape from paws of, 215
Diodorus Siculus, a fabulous his- torian, 269
Diogo, or Domigo, 315
Dioscorides, 110, 199
Diospyros melanida, 197 ; tessdaria, r6.,*33l
Directors-General, in Holland, 192
Directors of the East India Company, 2, 33
Directory, of the Indian Ocean, see Findlay, p. 17 ct scq., 33, 111, etc.
Disappearance of ancient fauna in Rodriguez, 320
Dishes, made from palm bark, 64
Dismahiess of night, 140
Disputes, of words, common and dangerous, 131
Disputes and false Divines, 100
Distemjjer, or dysentery, 161, 162
Din, Mascarenhas, Governor of, 308
Divine, a, of divines, 117
Division (unjust), of the goods of this world, 189
Division of time, not made by natives in S. Africa, 295
Docerne, i.e.. Do Cirne, name of Mauritius. 371
Doctor, more a, than the doctors, 117
Dodo, xii, 350, 353, 356, 360, 367 ; and its kindred, introduction, xlix, 361, 374
Dog, (if a spirit, 260
Doggs (sea), 372
Dogs, 11 ; do not dare pursue a lion, 281 ; hunt little tigers, ib. ; sub- ject to falling sickness, 209 ; catch geants, 210 ; make war on rats, 90 ; follow a stag, 96
" Doigt, lire du," 123
Doles, distributed to ships' crews at peace of Ryswick, 272
Dolphin, 17, 22
Domigo Friz, or Fernandes, 315 ; ancient name of Rodriguez, ib.
Don Galopes, or Don Galope, a name of Rodriguez, Ivi, 312 ct seq.
Dorado's tish, 16, 17
Dordrecht, 148
Doret, Capt., xlvii
598
IXDEX.
Dort, 148, 192
Doves, 44, 336, 352, 372
Double, a coin, 234
Douglas, Professor R. K. , xiii
Drafts, a game, 104
Dragou, killed by St. George, 174
Dragonnades, 1. 135, 136
Dragons, watery, 16; Dragous d'eau,
46 ; Dragon-boat festival, 234 Dragooning, 133 Dragoons, 133, 135 Draguestain, a colony of the Dutch
and French Protestants, about ten
leagues from the Cape, 277 Drakensteiu, burgher at, killed by
leopard, 281 Draught, a, of a pillar, 135 Dream, eflects of a, 128 Dress, of Chinese in Java, 251 ; of
Javaus, 261 ; of Hottentots, 288,
292 Dressing box, powder for, 133 Dreyfus, Maurice, publisher, xsxvi Drie Gebroeders, the islets, depicted
by Valeutyn, 162, 164 Drift, trade, in Indian Ocean, 1 41 Droitc, La, the biggest ship of Du
Quesue's squadron, 4 Drosts, or sheriifs, for arresting crimi- nals, 182, 183 Drought of soil, at St. Helena, 299 Druggist, Testard a, 6, 154 Drugs (Apothecaries), 55 ; poison,
231 ; administered by Javau
women, 265 Drums of Java, 266 Drunk, too much araque, 303 Dryden, John, 47, 112 Drymoeca rodcricann, 84, 337, 346 Dubertino, J. B., Lieutenant, 275 Dubois, " Voyage a Madagascar," 358,
369 Dubois, "Relation del'Isle Dauphinc."
Ivi, 45, 256 Due, Doge, Prince, 237 Ducks, 44 ; sent to Rodriguez, 151 ;
in Mauritius, 209 ; .in Java, 231 ;
wild, 370 Ductur, naucratcs, the pilot-fish, 97 Dugong, Halicore, viii, xiv, 74 ; sup- plementary note on, by E. Delmar
Morgan, 379 ct scq. Dugs, nasty, of Hottentot women,
292 Duif, the ship (fluit), 151 Duke of Alva, 136 Duke of Edinburgh, at Tristan
d'Acunha, 26 Duke of Kent, Ixxi et seq. Duke of Luxembourg, 164
Dungeons, 176; or cachets, 133
Dungesby Head, northernmost point of Scotland, ;i04
Dunkirk, dikes of timber at, 226
Du tjue.;ne Guiton, 2
Du Quesue, Henri Marquis of, x, xvii, 2, 3, 33, 39, 41, 54, 105, 368 ; Abraham, ib.
Dust to dust, 117
Dutch camp at Noort Wester Haven, 149
Dutch colonies, 147, 148 ; convict establishment at Mauritius, xxi
Dutch in Mauritius, 372
Dutch, commanders, directions to, 36
Dutch criminal jurisprudence, 158
Dutch cruelty to prisoners, 161
Dutch, East India Company, 2 ; con- stitution of, 216, 217, 237 et srq. ; administration of, ix, ib. ; captains of, 167 ; power granted by, 216 ; premises of, burnt, at Mauritius, 181
Dutch families at Black River, 147 ; in Maurice Island, 85
Dutch, hatred of, for the French, 164
Dutch fleet leaves Batavia, 270 'jt scq.
Dutch-men, names of, on tree, 110
Dutch pence, 229
Dutch pigeon, 211
Dutch, Lautore taken by the, 161
Dutch language spoken by Hottentots, 295
Dutch seat of Government in Mau- ritius, 147
Dutch ships, 2, 4, 5, 31 ; squadron, 8, 273
Dutch, the, St. Helena captured bj"^, and taken from, 298
Dutch edition, title to, xxiii; dedica- tion of, Ivi
Duty of kings, 244 ; are high officers and occonomists of the pnblick treasure, ih.
Duty on cattle at the Cii]ie, 280
Dysentery, or flux of blood, 101, 220
E.
Earl of Harold, Ixxi
Ear- Rings of the Hottentots, 288
East India Compnny, Dutch, 2, 33,
37 ; captains of, 167 ; French, 3 East Indies, 2. Sec Indies, ix Easter Day, St. Helena sighted on,
298 Eastern Ocean, map of, by Bellin,
309 Euu-dc vie, or aqua vitro, 166
INDEX.
399
Ebene blanc, et noir, 197, 331
Ebony-Trees in Isle Maurice, 181, 1911, 372; in Eden, 43; in Rod- riguez, 59, 331
Ecclesiasticus, 122
Echevin, of Dordi-echt, Sebastien Fraucken, 148
Erhincis rcmora ; E. naucratcs, 96, 97, 144
Ecus, crowns or rix-dollars, Dutch currency, 154, 282, 294
Eddy, dangerous, or rndroit, 139
Eden (Isle of), 2. 33, 41, 81, 123 ; description of that island, etc., 41 ct seq. ; it is a pleasant country, ib.
Eden, xviii; M(5moires on Island of, by Du Quesne, 2, 41 ; a little. 61
Edibles, not wanting to Hottentots, 293
Edict of Nantes, revocation of, jireface, xvii, 1, 277
Edinburgh, Duke of, 26
Edinburgh, museum at, 345
" Edinburgh Review," the, 283
Editor's jireface, xiii
Edwards, Alph. Milne, 81 ct scq.; 324, 337 ct scq. Sec Iklilne- Edwards, xi
Eel, devoured raw by Sieur La Case, 189 ; or lamprey, 173
Eels, of prodigious size, in Eden, 43; in Rodriyo, 59, 60 ; sea, 76 ; in Mauritius, 372
Eggs of divers sorts of birds a great relief to the adventurers on their rock of exile, 176 ; a fricassee of hatch'd cgi/s excellent, 178
Eggs of land-turtle, 71, 376 ; of sea- turtle, 73 ; of sea-fowl, 83. 177
Egypt, Busiris, King of, 171 ; Oanaanite nations in. 135
Egyptian tombs, Areca nuts found in, 264
Einsiedler, die, xliv, 360
Ela-odendron oricntah, 53, 203, 331
Elephants at the Cape, 278 ; one killed beyond Cape Flats, 281
Elks at the Cape, 278
Elliott, Mr. Scott, on the T tree, xiii, 201 ct seq.
Elme'.s, St., fire, 37
Embellishment, noisome, of Hotten- tots. 288
Embellisseur de crc^ance, 132
Emblems of Jacob Cats, 116
Embossings, fabulous, of rhinoceros' hide, 279
Emeralds, none to be found in all the East Indies, 269
Eme'raud, verd d', Turtles' water
colour of, 72 Emigration, encouragement of, 284 ;
prohibition against, 1 Eminence, fort on, at St. Helena,
299 Emperor of Japan, 237 ; of Java, ib. Emperor of Russia, 134 Encouragement of French emigration
in Holland, 284 " Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages,"
132 ; " E. Britannica," 356 Endormi, Y, 322 Enfoncement de Francois Leguat,
Introduction, xiii, 102 England, 1 ; a fine and good
country, Pref., ixxxviii ; present
state of, 51 ; women in, 124 " England's Colonial Empire," by
Pridham, xxiv, 67, 144, 149 England's forest, 3, Ivi English Atlas, by Ogilby, account of
Africa in, 289 et scq. English, they love cock-fight'ng,
232 English edition, title to, Ixi "English Intercourse with Siam,"
153 ; English crabs, 92 English, two ships arrive at Mau- ritius, 183; English trade inferior
to the Dutch, ib. English factors cruelly treated by
Dutch, 161 English ships, 6 ; at Table Bay, 31,
297 ; St. Helena belongs to the,
298 Enkhuisen, chamber of, 192 Enlargement, an, from confinement,
165 En-rogel, stone of Zoheleth by, 190 Ensign, an, in Batavia, not allowed
an umbrella, 241 Ensign Schryver's expedition against
Hottentots, 295 Ephorus, columns of, 309 " Epistolaj Heroidum," Ovidii, 171 Epitaph on Isaac Boyer, 116 ct scq. Epoch of disappearance of fauna from
Rodriguez, 320 et seq. Equatorial current, 301 Equerets, 326, 329 Equipage of great people in the
island of Jara, 239 Error (a vulgar) corrected, 25, 269 Errors of the Roman Catholics, 100 Erythrajan periplus. the, 264 Erythromachus, hostile to red, name
given to Gelinotes, 81, 333, 335,
343 Escalier, 1', 203
400
IMJi:.A.
Escurial, jaw of whale preserved in
the, 24 Essential points of Christianity, 268 Essex, the whaler, charged by a sperm
whale, 25 Estrapade, or bloc, 158 Etymology, English, Diet, of, 120 Eudes, M., xlviii £uycnla cotinifolia, 331 Euphorbiace(e, 201 Europeans in Java, 241 Europe, restorers of liberty in, 129 ;
fish of, 76 ; driven out of, 54 ;
corn of, 57 Evauder, King, 136 Evangelical doctrine, 100 Eve, the cause of many evils, 121 ;
was not created to remain a virgin,
125 Events, chronology of, 1 Ex-Benedictine monk, Ixsv Execution of negro slave, 182 Exhort itious, pious, to companions,
Leguat's, 162 Exile, rock of, 164 Exocoetus, flying fish, 9 Expedition against the Hottentots,
Dutch, 295 Exposition de la foi Catholique,
Bossuet's, 258 Extermination of marine mammalia,
73 Eyland Mauritius, Kaart van het,
146 Eyri5s, M. J. B. Benoit, xxiv, Ixxv,
Ixxxviii
F.
Face de Judas, 332
Factor, or copeman, 194
Factors, British, beaten at Lantore,
161 Fair, wide-awake, 301 Falbala, en, 292 Falling-sickness, 209 Falmouth Bay, Tristan d'Acunha I,
26 Fan, great; used by Chinese, 251 Fancy, without example Fan palm, 63 Faquors, 68
Fat of lion, a splendid curative, 231 Father de Comte, 259 Fathers of their country; the duty
of such as pretend to be so, 244 Fauna, ancient, of Mascarene islands,
80 ; disappearance of, 320 et seci- Fautes b, corriger, 148 Feast of Lanterns, at Batavia, by
Chinese, 254
Feet, how those of the Chinese
women are rendered small, 253 Fellowship, good, among Hottentots,
296 Female slaves, flogged, 181 ; hanged,
1«2 " Femmes savautes, les," 46 Fer, bois de, 331 Fernandes, abbreviated to Friz, 315;
Alvaro, 314 Ferrets, birds, 176. See Equerets,
326, 329 Festival of Dragon boats, in honour
of Wat- Yuen, 254 Feuille morte, uu bout, 292 Feurs, on the R. Loire, 49 Fever, fit of, 175 ; epidemic in Mauri- tius, 175 Fibre-palm, rabanues of, 188 Flcus relijiosa, 69 ; rubra, var., 331 Fig, fruit of kastas like a, 69 ; fig
trees, 43 Filao tree, or casuarina, 172 Filioque, in the creed, 131 Fillemot teats, 292 Finch, 355 Findlay's Indian Ocean Directory, 34,
66; 111, 113 et seq., 140, 271, 324 Fingers, joints of, cut by Hottentots,
291 Fire, at I-^le Maurice, 180, 181 Fire, St. Elme's, 37 Fii-es, great, as signals, 120, 185, 189;
as cause of destruction at Rod- riguez, 357 Fireliii, the Sieur, Commissioner at
Bourbon, 3 Fire-'works, artificial, 254 Fish, darted by Hottentots, 293 Fish, with horns, 279 Fish (flying) of divers kinds, 9 ;
number of fish in Eden, i, 43 Fish, at Batavia, 231 ; Bourbon, 43 ;
Mauritius, 205 ; Rodriguez, 64,
331 ; St. Helena, 300 Fishery, sea-turtle, xl Fishes, study of, Giinther's, 97 Fishing, nets for, 160 ; and lines, 55,
173, 209, 371 Fi.?kin, 211
Flac, what it is, 149, 205 Flacour (Monsieur de) planted the
French standard in the Isle of
MaxcMregne, and gave it the name
of the Isle of Bourbon, 41, 317 Flacourt, M. de, Ivi, 28, 41, 303;
pillar of, 317 Flak, Flacq, or Flac, 149, 196, 205 Flamans, or flambeaux (blazing)
birds, why so called, 114
INDEX.
401
Flamingo, 361, 363
Flanders cloth, sails made of, 155
Flanjourin, a liquor made from sugar,
198 Flat Cape, the S.W. extremitj- of Sumatra. 271 ; Flat Island, 327, 376 Flats, Cape, elephant killed beyond,
281 Flavio Gioia, the inventor of the
compass, 108 Fleet, Dutch, 217, 219, 270 et scq.;
302 ct scq. Flemish provinces, persecution in
the, 136 Fleurus, victory at, 164 Flies which turn to living worms, 4.'). 89, 372 ; the food of camelions, 280 Float of chests, 168 Float of poles and weeds, constructed
by Testard. 184, 186 Floating bridge of weeds and hogs- heads, made by Beuelle and La Haye, 163 Floggings of slaves, dreadful, 181, 182 "Flora of Mauritius, Rodriguez and Seychelles," by J. G. Baker, 62, 67 Florins, and Dutch currency, 294 Flower, odoriferous at Rodri/jo, 87 Flushing, arrival at, xxi, xxxiv, Ixvii,
304 Flute, Peter Thomas plays the, 52 Flux of Blood, 161 ; a common
malady at Batavia, 220 Flying-Fish, 9, 160 Flying foxes in Edeu, 45 ; iu Rod- riguez, 85, 346; in Mauritius, 211, 371 Foetidia Mauritiana, 69, 331 Fogs, great, off coast of Ireland, 303 Fools, 11 ; birds, 44, 72, 83, 176 ; or Fous, 178, or Fols, 298, 319. 324, 319, 326, 328 For§ats de la Foi, in the galleys, 283 Force-put, a, or " faire-le faut," 150 Forerunner, shiji, 271 ; of furious
winds, 272 ; of misfortunes, 149 Forest, England's, 3 Forest (A), consisting of one tree, etc., 67 ; a very thick and dan- gerous one, 203 Forest, in Mauritius, 150, 203 ; at
the Cape, 276 Foret tr^s ejiaisse, 203 Forez, hills of, 49 Forge, built by de la Haye, 52 Fort, Banks", in St. Helena, at foot of
a rock, 299 Fort Dauphin, 317
Fort, in Table Bay, pentagonal, 274 Fort Fredeiik Heudrik, vii, 65, 148,
161, 164, 180, 181, 195, 196 Fort St. George, Madras, 153 Fort, the, tyrannize over the weak,
11 Forteventura, Island of, one of the
Canaries, 8, 9 Fossil Birds, Art. in " Encyclopaedia
Britaunica", 356 Fossil Horns, mentioned by Max
Misson. 279 Fou, or Fouquet, birds, 11, 178, 324
ct scq. Fondia Bruantc, sparrows with red
breasts, 45 •.flavicans,m Rodriguez,
84, 346 ; Madagascariciuis, weaver
birds, in Eden, 45, 210 : rodcricana,
336 Foug^re, Le Sieur Le Guat de la,
xvii Foulque (coot), 369 Fountains, fine, in the Isle of Eden,
42, 43 Fouquets, He aux, 159, 178, 324, 347,
351 Fouquier I., ibid. Fournier {P. Gecrge), a learned
Hydrographer, quoted, 24, 108 Fous I, 159 Fowl, 44 Foxes, whether it be true they eat
men, 12 France, 1, 18, glorious, formidable,
desolate, 129 ; religion in, 1 France. He de, 41, 161, 317, 339 France, Institute of, memoir read at,
293 ; melons in, 56 Francken, Sebastien, of Dordrecht
148 Frankfort, xxiii Franks, the, 69 Fransche, Hoek, Huguenot colony at
the Cape, 277 Frederic Henry, a colony of some Dutch families in Isle Maurice, 1 48 Frederik Hendrik, Fort, 65, 148, 164,
180 Freemen, titles of, lost, 127 Fregats, birds, 13, 72, 298, 299 Frqiibqius, 335 Freirio, Ruy, 313 ; Frederic, 313 c<
scq. ; Roderic, ib. French, hatred of Dutch for the, 164 ;
in Batavia, 236 French books, Latin in, not loved by
Leguat, 137, plain Fieneh, Ixxxi French Church at the Ca])c, 232 French Churches, Synod of, in Euroiie. 283
EE
402
INDEX.
French East Indian Company, 3, 33,
339 French Huguenot emigi-ation, ix French ])risoners, cruelty to, 161 French Protestants, colony of, at
Cape, 276 ; settlers become rich,
2S6 French Refugees, prayer-book of, 125 ;
Kobinson, xxiii French squadron, sailing of, i ; at
Mascaregue I., 33 ; standard, 41,
317 .French version, " Fautes h corriger,"
in, 148 ; pages in, 137 ; title of,
xxii French version of the Bible, 123,
125 French way of conversion by dragoon- ing, 133 Frenchmen, malady called by, Le
Perse, 161 Freschot, Casimir, xxviii, xxxi, xxxiii,
Ixxix, Ixxxv Fricassee (A), of hatch'd eggs,
excellent, 178 Frieslaud, 192 Frigat (A), call'd the Swallow, sent
to the East Indies, by the Marquis
du Quesne, 5 ; orders given it, 7 ;
its flag, 8 ; its departure from
Amsterdam, 9 Frigate-birds, 11, 44, 72, 83, 298, 299,
325, 346, 352 Frigate Island, 88, 325 Friperie, Ixxviii Frise, 38
Friseland, cows of, 9, 192 Friz, abbreviated from Fernandes,
315 ; Domigo, an island, 315 Frogs and Toads (none) now in Isle
Maurice or Jlodrigo, 214 Frontispiece of original version, Ixix Fruits, of the Cape of Good Hope,
275, 287 ; of Eden, 44 ; Java, 228 ;
Isle Maurice, 206, 207 ; Rodriguez,
56, 65 ; St. Helena. 299 Fucus vatans, or gulf-weed, 302 Fulica Newtoui, 362, 369 et seq. Fundamental points of Christianity,
26-^ FuntjidfC, corals, 110 Furbelos, certain skins like, 292 Furneaux, Baie de I'ile, 146 Fury, extravagant and cruel, of the
Javans, 262 Fuzees, 55
Q. Gabillon, Fr(5d(5ric Augustc, xxv, Ixxv, Ixxxviii
Gaboon, 384
Galapagos I.slands, 373
Gale, a small, 139
Galega, a ship ; an island, 314 et seq.
Gallantry among the Hottentots, 296
Galleys, the, 176
Gallia Lugdunensis, 127
aallinula, 362, 363 ; alha, 366 ;
Lc'juatia yii/antea, 368 Gaily, poor, 139 Galope, or Galopcs, a name of
Rodriguez, 312 et soq. Galterius, Ixxxi
Gambling, exces.sive, of Chinese, 242 Game, a, with cake and a die, 176 Game, at the Cape, 280 ; at ICdcn, 44,
45 ; at Java, 280 ; at ^lauritiu.s,
210.; atRodrigo, 81; at St. Helena,
300 Gannet, or booby, 82, 347 Ganseu Spruj^t, 146 Garden, of the Company, in Lsle
Maurice, 150 ; at the Capeoi Good
Hope, 275, 287 ; fine gardens at
Butavia, 225 Gardeners, houses of, at Batavia, 225 Gardens, at Black River, 147 ; in
Rodriguez, 52 Garlick, 230 Garnsey, xxii Garonne, R., 18 Garrison, of the fort, 195 Gascon, an honest, Boyer, 116 Gastonia cutispowjia, 333 Goants, 359 et se^., 370 ; translated
peacocks, 44, 45 ; translated giants,
viii, 210 Gebroeders, Drie, the islets, depicted
by Valentyn, 162, 1G4 Gecko Newtonio, 86 Geese, 44 ; wild, 209, 370, 372 Gelastes Hartlauhii, 328 Gelinotes, or wood-hens, 81, 334 c^scg.,
342, 370 Gemini, constellation of, 38 Gems of Chinese Literature, by H.
Giles, 244 General Abercrombie, xlvii (idncral de Caen, 147 General, of the Company makes a
great figure at J3atavia, 238 ; his
ladj''s equipage, 239 Genesis, book of, quoted, 124 Geneva, 148; Genevan theologist,
ib. ; child of, 191 Geneve, Crdole, liii Genevieve, Ste., Library of, at Paris,
345 Genoa, gloves at, 278 ; practice in
wine trade at, 278 ; mission at, il>.
IXDEX.
403
Genti], M. Le, voyage of, 161, 205 Geniiflpxious, of Chinese priests. 257 ;
of Master of Cliiuese House, 261 Geographical Dictionary, xxvi Geographical Society, Royal. 70 Geograjihie, Socio'te de, x, 308 Geography of Livio Sanutu, 311 " Geological Magazine and Quart.
Journal of Geological Soc," xiv, 379 Gerbert, Archbishop, 132 Gergesites, 134 Gerkiu cucumber, 230 Germain, Michel, companion of Mab-
illou, Ixxix, l.'cxxi German edition, xxiii German quarrel, Ixxix, Ixxxi Germans, 236 Germon, sort of fish, 18 " Gestis Odonis." de. 133 Ghost, Holy, proceeding.s of, 131 Giants or Geants, big birds mounted
on stilts, 44, 210 ; see appendix D Gil Bias, romance of Le Sago, 178 Gilders, Duti^h coins, two paid as
tiger mouey^, 281 Giles. H , on Chinese Literature, 244 Gill, Dr. D., Astronomer Royal at the
Cape, his wife's book on Ascension.
300 Gilly-flowers, 56 Gilolo, or Gillolo, Island of, 236
lizard of, ib. Gioia, Flavio, inventor of the compass,
108 Giraffe and lion, 280 Girandoles of flowers, 201 Gizzards of solitaires, stone found in,
78 Glasgow, remains of solitaire in
Museum at, 352, 376 Glass bells, 95 Glass, burning, 105, 187 Gloves at Genoa, 278 " Glossary," Nares', 93 Goa, 68 Goats, on Sal Island, 11 ; in Eden,
44 ; at St. Helena, 300 ; sent to
Rodriguez, 151 ; in Mauritius, 207,
208 Goatskin, vessels of, 166 Gobert, Salomon. 110 God, beaten by Chinese, 260 God, indolent, of the Deist is no God,
297 God, one worshipped by the Chinese,
258 ; by the negroes, 296 God, will be worshi^j'd with humility
and sim]ilieit}^ of heart. 101 Godeau, Moiisignor de, 22 Goderich, Viscount, Ixxi
Gold, unknown to natives at Cape, 293
Golden Book, or Sentences of Hoangti- Xao, 243
Goldfinches, 336
Goldfish, 10, 16, 205
Gold hilt of Javan eric, 265
Gold-smith, John de la Haye, 152 ; a Dutch, ih.
Golonasy, village of, destroyed by Dutch. 236
Gombrani Island, 327
Gomrn of the Maldivians, or amber- gris, 153
Gon.lolas at Venice, 119, 254
Good Hope (Cape of), 30, 273 ; why so call'd, 30, 298 ; when di.scover'd and by whom, ih. ; the bay greatly expos'd to winds, 30, 273 ; its fort, 274; the companj^'s gardens, 275 ; the governour's pleasure - house, 276 ; fertility of the soil, 277 ; ani- mals at the Cape, 278 ; the French Minister of the Cape at work upon translating the Psalms anew into verse, 283
Goodness of women, worse than men's malice, 123 ; a false thing, 124
Gordon, Sir Arthur, governor of Mauritius, 70
Gormaz, Couut Lozano de, 121
Gory, M., xlviii
Gospel, the, quoted, 243
Gospel of at. Mark, or the autient MS. that bears that name at Venice, was not written in Latin, but Greek. (" It will be made out to Father Moutfaucon that the reasons he brings for proving that MS. to be Latin are not worth a farthing.") Pref. Ixxxi
Gossijplmn harhadcnsc, cotton, 327
Gottingen, xxxiii
Goubert, Alonso, xxxviii
Gouda, city of, 192
Gourami, 2' '5
Gourds, various, 175
Gouvernail I., 326
Governor, Dutch, at the Cape, 32, 151, 275 ; General, in Java, 238 ; in Mauritius, 151 ; marriage of, 169
Governors of nations are not heirs to the people, 13U; ought not to Buck their blood nor gnaw their bones, ih. ; are only to procure peace and i)rosperity to the people whereof they are members, 244
Goyer, Pieter de, Commaudeur at Mauritius, 148, Ivi
Grahi, wheat or milJet, 57
404
INDEX.
" Grains," French term for squalls, ITi Graiiimagaziues, administrators of,
190 Granaries, public, at Genoa, 278 Grand Basin, crater lake of, 146, 206,
207, 367 Grand Canary, Island of, 8 Grand Port, or Warwick Haven, 147,
159, 1C2, 193, 2 i-J, 206 Grande Riviere, 204 ; ditto, Sud-Est,
206 Grands Gosiers, 21 Grant, Baron, History of Mauritius,
by, XXXV, 70, 109, 172, 177, 179,
198, 214.373
map of Mauritius, by, 172
Grapes, 29, 33, 44, 206, 228
Grass, clover, 56
Grasse, Bishopric of, 22
Graves of French and English soldiers
on He de la Passe, 159 Gray, Archdeacon, on China, 253, 254 Gray, Mr., note by, on ambergris, 153 Gray, G. R., art. on Porphyrio, 366 Great Craws (pelicans), 21 ; great
gullets, ib. Great men, lives of, histories cf, in
Chinese theatres, 254 Great Mogul, Province of, 228 Great Port, 197
Great Throats, sort of birds, 21 Greek and Latin poets, 36 Greek, of Montfaucon, Pref. Ixxxi ;
accents, antiquity of, 80 Greek and Roman churches, 131 Green mountain, at Ascension, 300,
301 Green Point, Table Bay, 29, 273 Greenwich, Palace of, salute to Queen
Mary, 32 Gresse, 38
Grevenbrock, an officer of the garri- son in the citadel of Batavia com- mended for his Generosity to the
Author, 224 Grey, Henry de, Duke cf Kent, Ixxi Grigriqua tribes, expedition against,
295 Grissards, 28
Groete Limoen Booms Rivier, 97 Gros Bois, 203 Grot in the rock, 186 Grube, M., Hi Gryll as Capensis, 211 Guard-house of stone at Fort Frederik
Henry, 180 Guardafui, Cape, 310 ct scq. Guava, 201 Guelderland, 192 Gueltarda S][)eciosa, 221
Gnichenon, Samuel, xvii
Guiguer (Jacques), 6, 55, 150, 152
Guild hall, 224
Guinea fowl, wild, 300, 346, 351, 352
Guiton, Du Quesne, surnamed, 2
Gulden, Dutch and Indian currency, 287
Gulf-stream, the, 301 et scq.
Gidf-weed, sargassum, 302
Gullets, great, 21 ; sec Great Throats
Gulliver, Mr., on corals, li, 110 ; on Crustacea, 91
Gulls, 326
Gum (A) unknown, causes great mis- fortunes, 87, 152 et scq., 190
Gum of the bois d' olive, 53
Gumilla, Father Joseph, 382
Gun, a great, fired day and night, 303
Gunny bags, for sugar, 1 88
Giinther, Professor A., xiii, lii, 70, 81, 82, 97, 373 ct scq.
" Gust," relish or taste, 95
Gusts, or temijests, 16, 27
Guts, serve for necklaces and brace- lets to the Hottentot ladies, 289, 291
Guyot, la Bible de, 108 ; the poet, ih.
Guzman, d'Alfarache, the famous, 178
Gjjyis Candida, 329
H,
Haarlem, 192
Habitations, disposition of, in Rodri- guez, 50 ; plundered, 128
Habitus of the Geant, compared to that of Waterhen, 362
Hadrianus VI, Ivi, 5
Hague, the, archives of, 285 ; council of directors at, 192
Hair of Chinese, 251 ; of Hottentots, 288, 290
Hakim II, Caliph, 132
Hakluyt Society, ix, xiv
Hakluyt edition of Jordanus, 264 ; of Yarthema, 208 ; of Pyrard de Laval, 153
Hale, to, the ship, 112
Halicore Duf/ony, 74 et scq. ; taberua- culi, 75, 379 ; see Morgan
Halitherium, 379
Hall, great, at Batavia, 238 ; manu- factory, at Bern, 135
common (Hotel) at Rodriguez,
52
Haller, Baron de, xxiv, 52
Hamel, Dr., xliv, 360, 368
Hammers, 55
Hand, a, lost by a Maldivian who ai)proiDriates ambergris, 153
INDEX.
405
Happiness, Liberty fatal to slaves',
297 Harbour of Mauritius, the principal.
162 Hardouin, Pere, 309 Harn, chamber of, 192 HarjJngons, 46
Harping iron, or harpoon, GO Harris's Voyages, Beaulieu, 161 ; Ta-
vernier, 269 ; Dr. Northleigh, 226 Harrokl, Earl of. and Duke of Kent,
Ixxi ; Willoughby, 166 Harry's Journal, 371 Harvest, judged by fall of rain, at
Batavia, 227 Harvest, productive, at the Cape, 277 Hatchets, 55 Hatred of the Dutch for the French,
164 Hats, made of leaves, a new sort of
manufacture, 54, 64, 180 Haven, uoort wester or north-west, 146, 14S, 183 ; zuyd ooster or south- east, 147, 148, 162 Haven, Warwick, or Grand Port, 147 Haye {Jean dc la), 6, 52, 107, 135,
152 ; his death, 220 Haye, M. de la. Viceroy of the French
Indies, xviii, 3, Ivi Hay- Hill, Captain, Consul at Re- union, 174 Head, the Lion's, Mauritius, 162, 163 Health, altered by ill-usage and bad
diet, 161 ci scq. Hearts of oak, 118 " Heaven and Earth", the Chinese
classic, 244 Hedges' Diary, ix, 153 Helena and Clytemnestra, 38 Helena (the Island of St.), belongs to the Ewjlish, 298 ; its descri^itiou and situation, 299 Ilclianthus tuber osus, 207 Helm, sailor at the, drunk, 303 Helmsley, " Vegetation of Diego Gar- cia," by, 67 Hemelvaard's Eyland, or Ascension,
1 xviii Heudrik, Frederick, Fort, 148, 180 Henri IV, 49 Heui'i Du Quesne, 2 Henry, Marquess of Kent, Ixxi Heraldic insignia on tree in Mauritius,
371 Heraldic arms of Marquess of Kent,
Ixxiii Herbs, at Rodriguez, 70 ; at Cape,
276 Herbs, pounded and given to sick, 294
Hercules, slays Busiris. 171 ; pillars of, 135
Hereford, county of, Ixxi
Heretical ideas, 101
Hermite, Bernard 1', 213
Hermitage island, 327
Herodotus, 68
" Heroidum, Epistolaj," Ovidii, 171
Herons, night, or bitterns, 44, 210, 343
Hervagius, the Aovus Orbis of, 24
Hesperides, gardens of, 257
Hessels, Mr., 359
Hessequa tribes, in S. Africa, 294
JJeurcux, crew of the, 213
Hides, ox, 180
Hieroglyphic, an, 258
Hierozoicon of Bochart, 25
Higgins, Mr. E., drawings of Rodri- guez, viii, 46, 50, 350
Highnesses, 133
Higledy-pigledy intercourse in Hot- tentot huts, 291
Hindustan, absence of lizards in, 86
Hippopotamus, 28, 381
Uirondelle, the, or Bicallow, Captain Valleau's ship, xviii, 151
" Histoire d'un Voyage Litt^raire," xx.xii
" Histoire Naturelle et Morale des ludes," by Acosta, 286 ; " des lies Antilles," by de Rochefort. 1 7, 69, 90, 199, 292
" Histoire des Savants," xxxii
" Histoire Litteraire des Voyages," xxxiii
" Histoire de I'Acaddmie," xli
" History of Africa," by Dapper ; 273, 289
, by Ogilby, 289
" History of Mauritius," by Baron Grant, xxxv, 70, 109, 172, 177, 179, 198, 214, 373
" History of South Africa,"' by Theal, 169, 181
Hitlaud, or Schetland. Ixiii
Hoang, a liver in China, 249
Hoangti-Xao of the LXXII Dis- ciples of C'oiifueius, 243
Hogs, 44 ; sent from Mauritius to Rodriguez, 151 ; wild, 207, 231
Hogsheads of wine at Cape vineyards, 277 ; of water on the rock, 163
Holcroft's translation of Procopius, 135
Hole in the rock, or cave, 170
Holland, arrival in, 1, 302, 304 ; Diodati's migration to, 148, 217, 219
Holland, a free and happy country,
400
INDEX.
1 ; a republick bless'd by Heaven, 128 ; a wise and powerful republick, 250
Holland, letters sent to, 55; memorial forwarded to, KiS ; admini.stratiou of E. I. Co. in, 192 ; seeds brought from, 56
Holland liturgy, Malay translation of, 225 ; orders given in, 33
Holland neatness, at Cajje Towna, 275
Holland, New, 65
Hollanders, a frank and obliging peoi'le, 250, 2S7 ; Batch families settled at Isle Maurice, 371 ; at Cape, 277, 293
Hollands, aqua-vita), 166
Holy Ghost, proceeding of the, 131
Holy house, at Loretto, 131
H oly- water of the Chinese, 257
Homagium diabolo, 132
Homer, 132
Hoods, serpent's, 234
Hoofd Militaire, Olof Berg, at Cape Town, 275
Hooker, Sir J., 61
Hoopoe, 93, 319
Houan, coasts of, in China, 245
Horace, "ad Virgilium", xxix, 118
Horizon, 144
Horn, fishes' fossil, 279 ; rhinoceros', 279 ; unicorn's, ih.
Horn, city of North -Holland, 220
Horse (A) very fine in the Island of Salt, 12 ; a wild horse, 281 ; horses that have the tallijig- sickness, 209
" Horses and Coaches,", misprint for " Houses and Clothes", 296, 297
Horses, wild, at Mauritius, 209 ; at St. Helena, 300
Hospital of Chinese, in Batavia, 225
H6tol-de-Ville, 52
Hottentots, natives of the Cape of Guud Hope, 285; etymology of that name, ib. ; they are made to work for small matters, 286 ; they are very ugly and lazy, 287 ; their manners and customs, 288 ; their figures, ib.; their manner of dres- sing, ih. ; their religion, 289 ; cir- cumcision, ih.; what must he done to make them woi'k to purpose, 29 1; their habitations, 291; they punish adultery, theft and murder severely, ib., 295 ; have a great deal of humanity for one another, 296; their address at darting their Zajuye, 293; the trade which the Coitipany maintains with them, ib. ;
they are skilled in simples, and make use of them successfully in curing of wounds, 294 : they have hereditary chiefs, ib.; these chiefs only exercise their offices in time of war, and that too not always, ib ; they have divers customs lor the conservation of their kind and the Republick, 295 ; they have no knowledge either of reading or writing, nor make any division of time, ib.; tlieir merry-makings and dances, 296 ; the manner of the young people's making love, their union, ib.
Hottentot women, 292 ; curious treatment of male children as soon as they are born, by, 289 ; why they give them sea-water to drink, and put tobacco in their mouths, ib. ; they are generally more homely than tlieir husbands, 291 ; wear raw guts about their necks and legs, ib. ; their head-dresses, ib. ; their character and figure, 292 ; be- lieve themselves the finest women in the Universe, ib. ; their con- stitution and manner of dressing, ib.
House, Holy, at Loretto, 131
Houses or hutts of Isle Rodrigo, 50, - 65 ; houses of the Javans, 261
Howe, Lord, Island of, 366
Howlings of Hottentots, 295
Hroswitha, 132
Hudibras, 158
Huesca, wine at, 166
Hugo, Hubert, Commandeur of Mau- ritius, Ivi, 151
Huguenot prayer-book, 125
Huguenots, 1, 135, 136 ; list of, at the Hague, 285
Humanity of Chinese, 243 ; of Hot- tentots, 292
Humboldt, on gulf-weed, 302
Hunger is the best sauce, 178
Hunters in Mauritius, 155, 184
Hunting at the Cape, 276 ; in Mau- ritius, 146 ; by the Hottentots, 286
Hunting, Hottentot children ren- dered nimble for, 289
Huntsmen of Governor, at Mau- ritius, 155, 184
Hurricane, furious, at Mauritius, 170; in Rodriguez, 94, 95
Hurricanes, an Indian wind (word), 36, 46 ; rare in Isle Maurice, 214 ; some pretend that they come only on the 9th February, 169, 170, 214
INDEX.
407
Hurricane time, floods in, 46, 51, 94, 95; season of, 160, 169, 170
Husbandry, furnished to refugees at Cape, 285
Husbandry-tools, taken from adven- turers, 159
Husbands, jealousy of Chinese, 253
Huts, vile, of the Hottentots, 291
Hutt, vile, on rock of exile, 160; overturned by hurricane, 170
Hutts, maisonettes, 52 ; of Dutch in Mauritius, 371
Hyaciuthe, Pore, Ivi. 3
Hydre, 1', the constellation, xliv
Hydrographer, xi
Hydrography, of George Fournier, 24, 108
Hymn, a thanksgiving, 304
J/ynnis, Carangue, 322
Ilijophorhe Indira, 200 ; amaricaulis, ib. : Verschdffcltii, species of fan palm, 62 c< sen.
Hypothesis of submergence of Mas- carene islands, 377
"Ibis, the," plate of Palaomis Exsid, from, 359, 366
Icones avium, CoUaerts', 363 ; Icoues genuina) of De Bry, 375
Idolaters, Eastern, 67 ; in China, 259
Idols with a hundred arms, -where- fore, 258 ; Chinese idols repri- manded, 259; chastiz'dand dragg'd in the dirt when they have not done their duty, 260
Ignis Fatuus, 34, 37
He, d'Ambre, 153 ; de France, xl ; Bonapai"te, 3 ; Desirde, 325 ; aux Diamants, 324 ; aux Fols et Fouqueta. 324, 326; aux Fouquets, 159, 324; de France, 161, 339; Frigates, 325: au Mat, 326; de la Passe, 159, 163 ; de la Perle, 3; Plate, 327 ; de Roche, 327 ; de Sable, 324; Vacoas, 159 ; aux Per- roquets, 337
Jlliger, classification of Sircnia, 3S3
Illustrations, list of, xi
Illyria, Belisarius born in, 134
Image of good or evil genius in Chinese houses, 257
Images not worshi[iped by negroes 297
Imhricaria maxima, 332
Impalement of a Macassar slave, 182
Imperial tea, 229
Indes Orientales, 357
ludex Expurgatorius, 131
India, 67, 93 ; English ships sent
yearly to, 183; Dutch wealth drawn
from 219 " India Orientalis", the, of De Bry,
312 ct sc(j., 371, 375 Indian, Archipelago, 66 ; fruit of, 197;
word "hurricane", 36 Indian ocean, 373 ; Fiudlay's Directory
of, 140, 199; sea-weeds of. 302;
mousoou in,-227 ; hurricane in, 94,
214 Indian Sea, 18; map of, by Bellin, 309 Indians, 68
Indice Annorial of Bresse, xvii Indies, Council of State of the, 216;
French squadron to the, 33 Indies, West, 197; island in the. 91 ;
palm-wine in the, 62; East, 14, 65 Indigo, in Bourbon, 44 Industries, French, seriously injured
b\' Huguenot emigration, 1; estab- lished at Berlin, 2 Inhabitants, few, at St. Helena, 300 Iniquity and pride of great men, 244
ct scq. Inophjillum, 221 Inscription left in the Island of
Rodriijo, 127 ct scq. Insects, bred out of corruption, 90 ;
in Java, 228 Insignia, heraldic, at Mauritius, 371 Insolence of soldiers in Java reduced
to humility, 241 Inspector of arms, for King of Eng- land, 148 Instinct of beasts, foresees storms, 95 Institute of France, memoir on tablicr
read at, 293 Institutes of Manu, 264 Instruction in religion to slaves, 297 Instrument's taken from de La Haj'e,
the goldsmith, 159 Interpreter, Paul Benelle the, or
hai-angueur, 141 Introduction, xvii Inundation of the Nile, 171 Invocations of Chinese priests, 257 Ipomcca fragrans, 327 Ireland, town in, 68 ; coast of, sea
swell near, 303 ; potatoes of, 207 Irish horses, 9 Irish, st)me ridiculous questions
which the Irish Catholics put to
their dead, 255, 256 Iron-wood, at Maiu-itius, 372 Irons of thirty pounds weight, 158,
165, 171 Iseland, or Iceland, 9 Island, Ascension, 300 ; of Bourbon,
41 ; of Crozet, 349 ; of Eden, 3,
408
INDEX.
41 ; Java, 281 ; Mauritius, 195 ;
Rei'miou, 42 ; of Salt, 11 ; of
Kerguelen, 349 ; of St. Paul. 349 ;
St. Helena, 298, 299 Islamls : Mascarene, first discovery of,
41, 308 ct seq. ; the Comoro, 309 ;
ancient fauna of, 341 ; Seychelles,
34.1 Isle (a floating), 23 Isle, or rock of banishment, 1.59 ; a
sad place, 160 ; two little islands
on each side of it, 172 Israel, no needy person in, 243 Italian ladies, confinement of, 124 Italian, translation of Bible into, 148 Italy, New Voyage to, xxix, Ixsxiii ;
Misson's allusions, xxxiii ; letters
from, 259 " Itiuerarium Curiosum", of Dr.
Stukeley, 51
J.
Jaccatra, ancient, in Java, 220, 222, 2.56 ; Chinese cemetery near, ib.
Jack fruit, 201
Jackabeir (fish), 372
Jackson, M. James, Librarian, Soc. de Geog. , x
Jacotet River, 146
Jagers, Spruyt de, 146
Jambosa, 201
James, St., Palace in London, 24
James (St.), Park, belonging to the palace of that name at London, 102
James Town, in St. Helena, 298
James' Valley, 299
Jamrosa, 201
Japan, Diodati, Governor in, 151
Japanese Archipelago, ambergris found in, 153
Japar, the most potent prince iu the island of Java, 237
Japara, 237 ; King of, ib.
Jardiu d'acclimatisation, 376
Jargon, ridiculous, of old version of Psalms, 283
Java (the Isle of), 65, 221 ; see Batavki, 216 ; animals of that island, etc., 2.S2 et scq. ; the Com- pany is absolute there, 237 ; the gi-eatest part of the kings there are under their protection, i6. ; temples in, 257
Javans chuse rather to depend on the Company than their Kings, 237 ; their customs, 261 ; are Mahome- tans, 262 ; go half naked, ib. ; are sober, ib. ; men of wit, ib. ; cheats, ib. ; wear poison'd poniardS, ib. ; render themselves furious by drink-
ing a certain drink, ib. ; their great men's equipages, 265 ; their mar- riages, 268 ; are of the sect of Tomais, ib. ; do not eat their old peoiile, 269
Javan Women are naturally very amorous, 265 ; and revenge them- selves cruelly on those whose fidelity they suspect, ib. ; they are very jolly and neat, ib. ; what is reproachable in them, 266 ; their manner of dressing, 267 ; they cannot marry Christians without embracing the Christian Keligion, ib. et scq.
Jaw of whale in St. James's Palace alluded to by Misson, 24
Jean de Nova, islet called, 315
Jebusites, 134
Jeman-Xilin, a philosopher, censures ambition and injustice in wicked rich men, laments disorders in the world, 249
Jenner, Mr., magistrate at Rocb-iguez, li, 338, 353
Jeremy the prophet, quoted, 76
Jersey, xxiii
Jerusalem artichokes, 207
Jessamine, Spanish, 87
Jesuits, Voyage de Siam, by the, 31, 259; Venerable Society of the,136
Jet, black bitumen, or amber, 87
Jewels of the Hottentots, 289, 291
Jews, 76 ; marry young, 79 ; in Europe, 242
John III, John IV, 41
John II, King of Portugal, 30
Jonas swallow'd by the whale, 24
Jong, Maximilian de, Ivi, 148
Jonson, Ben, " Neptune's Triumph", by, 87
Jordan, Chas. Etienne, xxxii
Jordanus, Hakluyt Society's edition of, by Colonel Yule, 264
Joshua, the Great Robber, 134
"Journal de Voyage de Siam," by A.hh& de Choisy, Ixxvii
" Journal fur Ornithologie," 359
" Journal of Voyage to New South Wales," White's, 366
Journal of Trevoux, xxx
Journal or Diary of Montfaucon, a book stufl'd with errors, trifles, fulsome rejietitions and injurious expressions, which he ought above all have foreborne, Prcf., Ixxix, Ixxx
Joy, too excessive, tempered, 189
Judas, Face de, a tree, 332
Juices, jn-essed from herbs, given to sick, 294
INDEX'.
409
Justice (common) is notliing but dis- cord, rapine and iuiqiiitj', 130 Justinian, Belisarius, general of, 131 Juvenal, Iviii
Kaap der Goedc Hoope, Valentyu's
description of, 151 Kaart van het P'jOand Mauritius, by
Van Braam, 14(3 Kabay, a gown of Javan women, 267 Kamschatka, Le Grand Laraeutin de,
383 Karens, of Burmah, use of poisoned
arrows by, 264 Karoo, the great, in S. Africa, 293 Kasta, a singular sort of tree, 67
Ct Sf(/.
Katties Rivier, 206
Keating, Mr., 65
Keating, Lieut. -Colonel, xlvi
Keeling Islands, 66, 91
Keernan, Heer ISTatelief van, 197
Kelly, Capt. of H.M.S. Vonwny, xli.x
Kelp, 349
Kenipenfelt, Admiral, 70, 374
Kent, 17, 82
Kent, Marquis of, dedication to, Ixxi ;
Duke of, ib. ct scq, Kentish cows, 9 Kerguelen, Island, 349 Keu-Han, a poor Chinese thief, 245
tt SCff.
Kevangli, a rich mountain inhabited by 300 families united under the noble robber, Xoa-tl-cao, 248
Kew Gardens, 103, 201
Kiati tree, poisonous sap of, 262
King of Denmark, 10 ; of England, William III, 129, 148 ; of the Maldives, 153
Kingdom of Moles, 265
Kings are sometimes afraid like other men, 51 ; this wotyI has some- times the same signification with those of Duke, Doge, or Prince, 237 ; they are not sovereigns of the people to govern them at pleasure, 244 ; are made of the same clay as other men, ib.
King's Arms, erected in Rodriguez, xxxviii
King-s of China, tyrants, 244
Kings, or chiefs, in South Africa, 294
KirganeUn vircjinca, 333
Kitchin-Utensils, taken from adven- turers, 159
Kiumfa, a wicked and covetous prince, 249
Klapper-boom, or filao tree, 172
Knip, a strong liquor at Batavia, 228 Knobel, M., xliv Koen, Jan Pieterszoon, 220 Kotzebue's first voyage, Chamisso in, 66
La Boulaye le Gouz, 68
La Bourdonnais, Governor of I'lle de
France, 149, 339 Labourdonna S'a , 332 La Case, the Sieurde, 6, 52, 13.5. 156, 162 ; his malady increases, 188 ; his escape, 189 ; recapture of, ib., 218, 220 Ladder, dangerous stairs like a, in St.
Helena, 299 Ladder, slaves bound naked to a, 181 Laeda, twins of, 38 La Haye, the Sieur, 6, 52, 135 ; irons
put on the legs of, 188 Lais incdites, par M. Michel, 39 La Manche, 18
Lamantin, broiled flesh of, 141 Lamantin de Kamschatka, Lamantin
du Nord, 383 Lan\barde's, " Perambulation of
Kent," Ivi, 32 Lamentations, Book of, 76 Lamentin's, a sort of fish, 74 et seq., 108, 129, 209, 323. Vide supple- mentary note by Delmar Morgan, 378 Lamo, city of, 314 Lamotius, Isaac Johannes, Governor
of Mauritius, Ivii, 151, 153, 204 Lamotius Rivier, 146 Lamprey, or eel, of 60 pounds, 173,
322 Lamps, fed by the fat of tortoises, 105 Land assigned to French refugees at
Cape, 285 Land-birds, 36 Land, breeze, 226 ; winds, 196 ; gale,
226 Land crabs, 88, 213 Landmarks, 144 Land melons, 273 Landskips, at the Cape, wonderful
fine, 286 Land turtles, 43, 70 ct scq., 209, 331,
374 Languages (common) at Batavia, 236 ; French language famous and universal, 129 ; Zrt^tn tongue serves to cover a great many things of small worth in some treatises of the moderns, Pre/., 137, 2(;9 Lnnthorns, 120
Lantoro, sack of, by the Dvitch, 101 F F
410
INDF.X.
Lao-Tzfi, doctrine of, by H. Giles,
244 Lapins, lie rles, 188 La Perruke, or table cloth )>heno-
menon on Table Mountain, 31 Larboard, or left side of ship. 274 Larding Pins (gallant), 268 Lascar Bay, 325 Latanin, 52, 02, 63 et seq., 200 Latanier, Toile de, 188 Lataniers, sort of trees, 52, 59, 61,
63, 120, 332 Latham, Gallinida aJhn of, 366 Latin autliors deprecated by Leguat,
Ixxx, 36, 137, 269 Latitude, ignorance of, 303, 304 Laughter of Hottentots, side-splitting,
296 Laval, Pyrard de. Voyage of, 153 Lave water out, to, i.e., hale a boat, 112 La'w (the radical) among men, 245 ;
the law of Nature, is the only one
the Negroes at the Cape observe,
295, 297 Lawrence, Rev. John, Ixxi Laws, Divine and Humane, 81 ; pre- cautions against disorders, ih. ;
laws are not efficaciously favourable
to the poor, 246 ; laws of the
Hottentots, 295 Laws, from customs, ih. Leaf-hatts, 180
League of Augsbourg, 164, 272 Leaves, plantane, 52, 62 et seq., 188 ;
chapel made of, 180 Le Bourg, Ivi Le Clerc, M., xxv Le Gentil, M.. Voyage of, 161 Legge, Professor, on Chinese philo- sophers, xiii, 243 Legger, or Legre, a Dutch measure
of wine, 278 Leguat, Fran9ois, the author, 6 ; his
inscription, 127, 321, 330, 337 et
seq. ; 354 et seq. Lcguatia Gif/antea, 368, 370 Leguat's Manati, 379, Solitaire,
Front. Le Guat, Pierre, xvii Le Guat de P^oug^re, xxxv; arms of, ib. Leipsic, xxiii
Leniou valley, St. Helena, 298 Lemons, 197 Le Monnicr, xli, xliv Lenoir, M., report to Council of
French East India Company by,
339 Leopards, at the Cape, 278 ; horse
spotted like, 281 ; kills a burgher,
281
Le Sage, author of "Gil Bias", 178 Lesueur, and Peron, MM., African
travellers, 298 Letters, sent to Holland, not de- livered, 55 Levaillant, and Barrow, MM., on the
"tablier", 293 Leverian Museum, 366 Leviathan, of Milton, 23 ; of Cada-
musto, 25 Leybourn, 51 Leyden, Walloon church at, 148 ; city
of, 192 Libertas, sine Liceniid, a device of
the Colony, and of Pope Adrian
VI, 6 Libertins, free slaves become, 297 Liberty, Sweetness of, 1 ; of conscience
to Roman Catholics at Batavia, 225 ;
of Hottentots, unabridged, 290 ;
a fatal happiness to negroes, 297 Libra, the constellation, xliv Librarian of Arsenal in Paris, x, xxxv Librarian of Soc. de Geogr., Paris, x Library, London, xiv, 145 ; of Arsenal,
Paris, 2 Lice and fleas, 85 Light, insupportable to the Chacre-
latcs ; they turn night into day,
270 Lighthouse, on He aux Fouquet.s, 159 Lignon, the famous, 49 Lime-buruers, 29, 274 Limestone, 274 Limon, Mount, 120 Limons, 39, 44 Limon-trees, grove of, 197 Line (The), baptism or a ceremony
observ'd in cutting it, 19 Line, gusts near the, 15 Line, repassing the, 301 Lines, fishing, 55 Linnean Soc. Journal, 67 Lion, of monstrous size, carries off an
ox, 280 ; fat of, a curative, 281 ;
flesh of, good eating, ib. ; shot
through heart, by Olof Berg, 281 Lions, at the Cape, 278, 280 ; a re- ward given by the Company to those
that kill them, 281 Lion's Head, a mountain, 30, 102,
163 Liplaps, 240
Liquor, a river of Forez, 49 Licpior, delicious, of the palm, 62 "Lire du doigt", 123 Lisboa, Jean de, 317 Lisbon, 30, 312
List of illustrations and maps, viii " Literary Anecdotes," Ixxi
INDEX.
411
Litter, covered, for cairiage of Japan
princes, 265 Littleton, Mr., 376 Littrd, 39
Liturgy, the Holland, 225 Liverpool, Derby Museum at, 366 Livingstone, David, on the Lion, 280 ;
Travels of, in S. Africa, ib. " Livre des Poisson.s," 97 Lizard (a curious) of Oilolo, 236 Lizards of Isle Rodriyo, 70, 86 ; of
Isle Maurice, 211, 214 Loaches, fish, in England, 24 Loadstone, solar quadrant of, 108 Lobster, 213 Lock of hair, hanging down behind
Chinamen, 252 Locusts, 211 Lodge, the Governor's house, at
Mauritius, 149 Lodovico Vertomanni, 268 Loire, K., 18, 49
London, French churches iu, xxii London, 1, 24, 51, 91 ; cattle about,
280 ; library, xiv, 145 Lone one, the, or Einsiedler, .xliv Longevity of land tortoises, 373 Long-tails, i.e., boatswain or tropic
birds, see Paillc-en-qucue, 11 Longue, Isle, 214 Lopez, Diego, discovers Rodriguez,
see Siqueira, 312 et scq. Lophopsittaeus, parrot, 210, 371 Lord Chamberlain, Ixxi Lord Howe, Isle, 366 Lord Lieutenant, Ixsi Loretto, Holy Hou.se at, 131 Loris, Psittacus rodericanus, allied to
the, 346 Lot, a pinnacle of greystoue iu St.
Helena, 298 Louis, Port, 144, 183 Louis XIII, xvii Louis XIV, 1, 41, 164, 272 Louis Vertomanni, 268 Louvres, 133
Loyola, Ignatius de, the Great, 136 Love-bird, 855
Low Countries, the war iu the, 104 Lubiu, 205
Lucullus, gardens of, 275 Ludovico di Varthema, Hakluyt
Society's edition of, 268 Lugdunum Batavorum, 17 Luillier, Sieur, 183, 217 Lul, a singular sort of tree, 67, 68 Lump of ambergris, 152 Luther, Martin, 5 Luxembourg, Duke of, 1G4 Lyciwm tcnue, 327
Lyon, xvii
Lyon's Mountain, Cape of Good Hope
30 Lyons, 6 ; Gulf of, 10
M.
Mabillon, Jean, Ixxix
Macassar, 182 ; impalement of a
slave, 182 ; ferocity of iuhabitauta,
237, 264 Mackerel, a fish to be met with only
in certain jilaces, 18 Markiesficld frigate, the, 284 Macratons, 46 Madagascar, 34, 36, 41, 82, 110, 141,
195, 296, 297, 312 et scq., 344, 345,
357 Madness of Hottentot women, 292 Madraporidoe, corals, 110 Madras, Fort St. George, 153 Madurese, or Boutouners, 237 Mafiee, 313
Magas tree, poisonous sap of, 262 Magazine burnt, 180 ; of the Com- pany, Batavia, 226 Magdalene, Is., 110 Magick characters, 264 Magistrates, intermeddling, not iu
Batavia, 22 '> Magnati, Mr., 108 Magnetis usum, 108 Mahe'bourg, iu Mauritius, 359, 367,
376 Mahometan of Algier.s, 191 Mahometans, of the Sect of Tommi,
2(38; Javan, 262 Mai, Iledu, 14 Maillard, 45, 201 Maimbourg, 259 Maiutenon, Madame de, 1 Main-Mast, lost by Vice-A.lmiral, 303 Main-top-mast, or grand mat de huue,
303 Malabar, 68
" Malade Imaginaire, Le," 46 Malady, sort of, Le perse, 161 Malayan Archipelago, 200 ; poison
tree in, 264 ; lizards in, 236 Malay, language, 236 ; colonists, 237 Malaj's, houses of, in Java, 262 ;
ferocity of, 263 Malayses, Protestant proselites, that
have a church at Bafavia, 224 Maldives, Pyrard de Laval in the,
153 ; sighted by Davis, 309 Maldiviaus, the <jomin of the, 153 Males, new-born of Hottentots, mu- tilation of, 289 Malheui'eux, Cape, xlvii
412
INDEX.
" Mammalia, Keceut and Extinct," by Mr. Scott, 74 ; marine, extermina- tion of, ih. Man, sent back to the school of beasts, SO ; man was made for woman, and woman for man, 121 ; men alone and women alone are but part of themselves and imperfect, 125 Man, or Manue, Manna, celebrated
ii>(u\ of Israel in the desert, 285 Manati, see Lamcntin, 74, 379, 380,
3S:j Man die. La, 18 Mandarin orange, 197 Mauevillette, M.de, thehydrographer,
66 Mango, 200, 230; without a stone, 230 Mangos, a fruit of the Isle of Java
of divers kinds, 230 Mangosteen, 201 Mangrove, le paletuvier, 69 ''Maniere de celebrerle Mariage", 125 Man-of-war bird, or frigate bird, 83,
299 ; roost, ib. Manu, Institutes of, 264 Manuscripts, those whereof cata- logues are to be seen in the Uiarium Itulicum of P. de Alontfaucon, are but of small consideration, Prcf., Ixxsi Mapou Bay, 173 Mapou tree, 201, 202, 325 Mappa mundi, 310 Maps, list of, ix Maps of the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries, 309 et scq. Marcel, M. Gabriel, x, 18 Mardykears, or Papangars, 236 Mare aux Songes, 367, 369 Mare aux Vacoas, 367 Marechal, the Duke of Luxembourg,
164 " Mariage, mauifere de celebrer," 125 Marianne I., xxxiv, xxxix, 159, 325 Marine library, xxxiii '• Maiine Mammalia, Extermination
of," Newton on, 74 Marine office, xxxix Mariners, Portuguese, 234 Marinette, or Boussole, 108 Markham, Clements R., President
Hakluyt Soc, xiv Maroon negroes, 203 Marot and de B6ze, version of Psalms by, 12, 283 et seq. ; Clement, ac- cused of atheism, 284 Marquis du Quesne, xvii, 2 Marriage, at Java, 267, 268 ; of Chinese, 2^2 ; at the Cupc, 296 ; of solitaires, 80
Marriage, a divine institution, 125 Mars, the expedition, at Ascension,
300 " Marseillaise", of the Camisards, the
283 Marshall, Capt., 1 Marsh- birds, gigantic, of the Masca-
rene Is., 359 ct scq. Marsh-birds, red flamingos, 15, 365,
368 Martin, the [Acriclotheres tristis), 211 Martinez, Pico, 11 Martiniere, Bruzen de la. Geographical
Dictionary by, xxvi Martin- Vas's Isles, 4, 15, 21 Mary, Queen, at Greenwich, 32 Mascaregna, desciii)tion of that
Island, 2, 4, 33, 39, 41, 45 et seq., 55,
156 Mascaregne, xviii Mascarene genera, 201, 324 Mascarene, Islands, discovery of, 3,
41, 308 ; frogs or toads in, 214 ;
tortoise, 71 ; waters, 73 Mascarene, Islands, ancient fauna of
the. Appendix C, 341 ; Appendix
D., 359 Mascarenhas, Don Pedro, 41, 308 ;
Las, xviii, Ivi Mascarille, 46 Maskelyne, Prof., lii Mass of steep rocks at St. Helena,
300 Mast Island, 326 Mat, grand, de hune, main top-mast,
303 Mathurin Bay, 324 Mathurin Port, in Rodriguez, xxxviii,
10, 102, 113 et seq. ; Mathurin
Sanson, a famous pilot, 10 Mats, vacoa, for packing sugar, 188 Matthew, St., quoted, 139 Matting of rofia palm, or rabannes,
188 Mattresses, 186 Maurice, 33, 34, 36, 41, 215 ; the
island of that name is above 160
leagues from Isle Rodriyo, 106 ;
description of Isle Maurice, 195 ;
few tortoises at, 184 Maurice, Prince of Nassau, 195 Mauritius, Pref. xxi, 34, 41, 60, 65,
67, 70, 81, 141, 144, 148, 337 et seq. ;
Governor, of, 127 " Mauritius and its Dependencies", by
C. Pridham, 144 Mauvettes, 328 Meal, of rice, 175 Measurements of gigantic tortoises,
376
INDEX.
413
Meat and drink, short allowance of,
160 Meaux, Bishop of, 258, 259 Mediterranean, a pilot of the, 10 Medlar, 200
Mela, Pomponius, 255, 269 MdanosiKrmeos, olive-coloured sea
weeds, 302 Meldrum, Dr., meteorologist, in
Mauritius, 94, 214 Melinda, 234 ; King of, 314 Melliss, monograph on St. Helena, by,
298 et seq. Melons, excellent, 44, 56, 129 ; of two kinds, 44, 56 et seq., 105, 108 ; at the Cape, 278 Melville and Strickland, on the Soli- taire, xii, 1, 341, 352, 371 " Memoire sur un Psittacus," 85, 346 " Memoires de TAcadtmie," xli Memoirs, on China, by the Jesuit priest Le Comte, 259 ; on ancient fauna of Alascareue Is., 341 Memoir on osteology of the solitaire.
352 Memoires, Misson's, 24 Memorial, forwarded to Holland, 165 ;
left in island, 52 Menagerie at the Museum of Natural
History, Paris, 342 Men, are commoulj' the corrupters of women, 123 ; inhuman men, worse than brute beasts, 171 ; all men have an equal right to the goods of Nature, 245 ; all are equal, 244 Men-of-war, Dutch, chase by squad- ron of, 8 Mencius, the contemporary of
Chuang-Tsze, 244 Menezes, Henri de, 310 Mercator, map of, 312 ct seq. Mermaids, or Sirens, 380 Merritield, Miss, paper on Gulf-weed,
by, 302 Merry-makings of Hottentots, 296 Messias, the coming of the, 1 29 Messieurs les Beaux-Esprits, 191 Me'taphrasts, 46 Metz, Paul Benelle a townsman of,
xxxiii, 6 Mice, 212
Michel, M., " Lais inedits" par, 39 Middleburg, 192, 283 Middlesex cows, 9 Miers, M., Hi Mignonne, La, xli, 340 Milan, Unicorns' Horns in cabinet at,
279 Militairo Hoi.fl, Willem Padt, 32 MilleporUlca, corals, 110
Millet seed, 44, 57 ; sent to Rodri- guez, 152 Mills, for sawing boards, 205 Milman's "Latin Christianity," 132 Milne-Edwards, A., on Mascarene
fauna, xi, 81, 82 ct seq., 320 et sen.,
341, 369, 370 Milton, " Paradise Lost," by, 23, 68 ;
" Paradise Regained," 87 Mine and Thine, two unhappy
words, SO Mines of Gold ; none to be found
in the Isle of Java whatever,
Vartomanni says, 269 Mingles, number of, in a Lcgre of
wine, 278, 282 Minister, French Protestant, at the
Cape, 282 Minister of Marine, 339 Misel Island, 326 Misers, 46 Missou, Henri de Valbourg, Memoirs
on England, xxii Missou, Maximilien, Prcfnrc, xxii,
xxxiii, Ixxx, 5, 24, 51, 108, 124 ;
Memoirs of, 254, 256 ; Letters of,
130, 166, 259 Missy, M., xxxiii Mithridatca, 202 Mitten, M., lii Moas, New Zealand, 359 Mogul, the Great, 228 Moka, Moka, a Cry of the People
of Macassar, 264 Molana, an Ai-abian Chiek, 267 Molenvliet, 222 Moles, the kingdom of, 265 Moli^re, quoted, 46, 115, 162 Molluscs, variety of, in Indian Ocean,
179 Moucontour, Coligny wounded at,
283 Monej^, adventurers', seized, 159 Money of the Cape, 282 Monimia rotundifvUa, 201, 202 Monk, rascally, 130 Monkeys, 372
Monoceros, a name common to divers sorts of animals that have but one horn, 279 Monopoly, Government, at Mauritius, 206 ; at Batavia, 239 ; at the Cape, 278 Monsoons, 60, 66 ; N.W., 227 Monsters, title of, given to Popes,
130 Montac, a large worm, 212 Montague, des Cre'oles, 303 ; Loiiguo,
196 Moutanus, Ixxix
414
INDEX.
Moutfaucon, Dum. Bernard de, xxxi, Ixxix
Monticola eremita, xlv. See Solitary Thrush
Montpellier, University of, Rondelet at the, 98
Mon Tresor, in Mauritius, 376
Monument (A) left by the Hollan- ders iu Isle Bodri'jo, 52, 110 ; by the Adventurers, 127; bj'^ the same upon their Ilock of Banish- ment, 190
Moon (The) worshipp'd by the Ne- groes at the Cape, 289, 297
iMoor-hens. 209
Moors (The) at Batavia, 236, 270
Morality, Principles of, inculcated by Chinese Philosophers, 246 ct scq.
Morgan, E. Delmar, xiv, Ixxi; 25, 51, 55, 56, 59, 60, 61, 62, 65. 66, 67,68, 69, 70, 74, 78, 81, 82, 85, 86, 90, 91, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 101, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 115, 120, 134, 140, 143, 150 ; Supplementary Note on the Dugong, 379 ct seq.
Morgan, Sylvanus, his '' SjAere of Gentry," 51
Morne Brabant, the, S.W. Cape of Mauritius, 144
Moses, laws of, concerning Charity, 243
Mould of Iron, into which the female children of the Chinese have their feet put as soon as they are born to hinder their growing large, 253
Mount Limon, in Rodriguez, 120
Mountain, Green, at Ascension, 300, 301
Mountain, of the Devil, 30, 31, 272 ; of white Stone, in St. Helena, 298
Mountains, Bamboo, 147 ; Tamarin and Savanne, 146
Mourners {Chinese) at Funeral Ceremonies, 255
Mozambique, seipent stones from, 234 : Portuguese navigators at, 309 et scq., 314
Muddiuess of the sea beyond Cerne, 3U2
Mu[/il, 322
Mules, 209
Muller Eugene, Librarian of the Arsenal, Paris, xxxv, 2, 6, 22, 45, 49, 74, 115, 123, 145
Mullet, 10, 205, 322
Multitude (The), a wild Beast, Ixxv
Mum, or Beer from Brunswick, 228
Muuden, Sir Kichard, St. Helena recaptured by, 298
Munia oryzirora, rice-birds, 210 Murie, Dr. J., Memoir on Sirenia, 383 Murray, Mr. John, on Coral Reefs,
109 Mil, •ray a exotica, 332 Murther, punished by death, 295 ;
with a slow fire, 171 Mus Alexandrinus, 347 Musa paradisiaca, 199 MusKum Italicum, Ixxix Muscat Vines, at the Cape, 276 Muscles, eaten by Hottentots, 290 Mu.seum, British, 371, 376 Museum, of Anatomy and Zoology at
Cambridge, Frontispiece, Pref.,
Introduction, 357 Derby, at Liverpool, 366 ;
National, of the Netherlands, 359 ;
Leverian, 366 Muskets, 55; Hottentots killed by, 295 Musketoes, 372 Musick of the Chinese perfect
Discord, 252 Mustard, 56
Mutinous, Hottentots not, 296 Mutton, extremely dear at Batavia,
231 Myoporum Mciuritianum. 327 Mysticctcs, true whales, 22
N. Nails, 55 Namur (John), a soldier of the
Garrison of Isle Maurice, 157 "Nan-Hua," the, a Chiue.se classic, 214 Nantes, edict of, and revocation of, 1 Najioleon, 376 Napoleon and the British sailor, 164,
185 ; fall of, 221 Nares' " Glossary," 93 Nassur Sultan, wreck of the, 1 Nasty tree, the, 69 National Museum of the Netherlands,
359 Nations which inhabit iJatoria, 236;
different at the Cape, 295 Natte de toile de Latauier, 188 Natural History, of the Antilles, 17,
69 ; of Bible, 76 ; of Ceylon, 75 Natural History Museum, South
Kensington, 97, 381 Naturalists, commonly so-called, 24 "Naturalist's Voyage," Darwin's, 109 Nature effects a miraculous euro, 162 " Nature,"' the journal, 39, 74, 109 Naucrates ductor, 97 " Navigatio Vartomanni," 24 Navigation, successful, for seven
months, 302
INDEX.
415
Nazare, Isle de, 358 Nazaret, oiseau de, 358 Nazarvogel, xliv, 360 Necessity does all, 106; a spur for work, 290 ; assisted by Hottentots, 293 Neck, Jacob van, 210 Necropsittacus rod<ricanus,ZZZ, 336 Needles, Cape, or Cape Agulhas, 34 Neerwindeu, victory at, 164 Neff, Bois de, 332 Negligence of purveyors, 160 Negro, 10 ; slaves set fire to the fort,
181 ; price of, 282 Negro Slave (A), being about to be executed, desires to have one cast at dice before he dies, 182 ; Liberty fatal to, 297 Negro Women have good features at Btitavia, according to the notion we have of beauty, 270 ; their complexion is subject to none of the inconveniences the white are, 270 Negroes at Bata^^a are fine men, 269; of Madagascar, Ceylon and the Oape, 282, 296; their customs, ihid. They say they worship but one God, yet they pay adoration to the sun and moon, 297 Neighbours to the Cape, Hottentots,
295 Neptune, son of, 171 Nerac, Jacques de La Case, a towns- man of, 6 Nests of pigeons in Rodriguez, 82 Netherlands, .... Huguenots from
the, 277, 283 Netherlands, National Museum of
the, 358 Nets, for fishing, 55, 160, 173, 209 Neural arch of vertebra in tortoise,
perforated, 376 New Caledonia, 370 New Horn, 220 " New Voyage to Italy," A, by Max
Misson, 5, 51, 108 New Zealand, 342, 359, 370 Newton, Professor A., Preface, xii, li, 74 ; notes by, 178 ; on fauna of Rodriguez, 319 et seq., 336, 337 et seq., 352, 371 Newton, Sir E., Preface, xii, li ; notes by, 45, 90 ; on fauna of Rodriguez, Appendix, 319 et seq., 336, 337 ct seq., 352, 369 Nichols, Ixxi
Nieuland, Adriaan, Ivi, 148 Night herons, 81, 210 Nightingale Island, Tristan d'Acunha group, 26
Nights and days equal at Batavia,
227 Nile, inundation of , 171 Ninox madagnscaricnsis, 344 Nobility, ihid^ Noble, Chas. F., xl Nobles, False Nobles, 1 30 Nocturnal lizard, 86 Noddy-terns, or Noddies, 29S, 301 Noire, Riviere, Piton de la, 146 Noort Wester Haven, 149 Norfolk Island, Oalliniila of, 366 Normandy, coast of, mackarel on the,
18 Noronha, Garcia de, 309 North Holland, 220 North, Sir Thomas, translation of
Plutarch by, 1 45 Northleigh, Dr. John, description by,
226 North-west Port, afterwards Port
Louis, 149, 188, 195, 196 Xotornis, 366, 370 "Nouveau Voyage eu Italic," xxxi,
xxxiii
"Nouvelle Relation de la VilleVenise," xxxii
"Nouvelles de la R^publique des Lettres," Introduction, xxvi, 59
Novice in Convent, 176
" Novus Orbis," the, by Hervagius, 24
Nuchal vertebra of tortoise, 376
A^umcnivs arquatns, 351 ; phcconus, 329
Numidia mitrata, 346
Numidia, stone pillars in, 134
Nutmeg, 200
Nuts, of the Bois d'Olive, 53, 337
Nuxia verticillata, 333
Nux, M. de la, 161
Nux vomica, 264
NyctaglnaceeP, 329
Nyciicorax, tneyaceplialus, a night- heron of Rodriguez, 81
0.
Oak, beam of, found at Rodriguez, 107, 150 ; hearts of, 118 ; King Charles', 51
Oaks, at Cape Town, 276
Oars, 139
Oats, 44
Observatory at St. Denis, Re'uuion, 36
Ocean, Indian, shells of, ] 79
Ocean, South Atlantic, 298
Ocomsiao, a rich plain, the prey of a noble lord, 249
Orydromus, 342
416
INDF,X.
Odontoceti, or toothed whales, 22 Oilour, delicious, of island, 39 Ogilby's account of Africa, after
Dapper, 289 et seq. Oil of turtle, 43, 120 Oiseau du pnj's, 3r)0 Oiseaux de Nazaret, 358 Oja, city of, 314
Oldenlaud, Dr., the botanist, superin- tendent of gardens at Cape Town,
275 Oldcnlandia Sicberi, 327 Old Rock, the, Sermons on, 99 Olearius, 9 Olive Tree, 200 ; leaves of seaweed
resembling, 302 Olof Berg, Lieutenant, at Cape Town,
275, 281 Onderkoopman, 148, 151, 181 Onrust, description of Island of, by
Thorn, 227 Onrut, a small island, two leagues
iroia Batavia, where the Company
builds ships, 227 Onydioprion anasthfPtus, 326, 329 Oostcdand, wreck of the shijj, 273 Opium, taken by Javans and other
islanders to render them fearless,
264 Opperhoofd, 148, 151, 181 Oracle, question decided by an, 126 Oranges in Eden, 39, 43 ; Mauritius,
175, 197 ; at Cape of Good Hope,
275 ; at St. Helena, 299 Orange-trees, sent from Mauritius to
Rodriguez, 152 Orchards, outside Batavia, 225 OrchidacecP, 87 Orient, L', xl
Oriental Emerald, so called, 269 Oriental Greek and Roman Churches,
131 " Oriental Repository," Dalrymple's,
xl " Oriental Series," Triibner's, 153 Oriental slaves, 182 " Origin of Coral Reefs and Islands,"
by J. Murray, 109 Orinoco River, 382, 384 Ornaments of natives at the Cape, 289 " Ornithologie, Journal fur," 359 Ornithology of Willoughl)y, 15, 166 Ortelius, map of, 309 Orthodox, Deists, less than wicked
spirits, 297; fool, 130 Oeorius, his account of the discovery
of Madagascar, 313 ct seq. Ouphromcnus olfax, 205 Osseous remains of Rodriguez tor- toises, 376
Osteology of the Solitaire, Jlemoir on the, 352
Ostrich, African, Gigantic birds equalling the, 359
Oswell's account of lions, 280
Otaries of Bass's Straits, 74, 340
Otho the Great, 132
Otho's, musty (Othons), 132
Otis tarda, 354
Ounces, sixteen to the pound, 282
Ouragan, or hurricane, an Indian word, 36
Ourlet rouge, 81
Outhoorn, Willem van, 216, 238
Ovidius Naso, 171; lib. Tristium, Ile- roidum, Deianara, Metamorj)liosen, ibid.
Owls, 82; make war upon rats, 90, 336, 344
Owners, blindness of, 140
Ox, an, strangled and carried off by a lion, 280
Oxbirds, 327
Oxen of three sorts at the Cape of Good Hope, 278, 280
Oxen, captured and restored by Dutch, 295
Oxford, xlix
Oxford, shipwreck of the, 1
Ox-hides, 180
Oysters at Rodriguez, 76; at Mauri- tius, 372
Ozell, his translation of " Max Mis- son's Memoirs," xxii, xxxv; Intro- duction, 24, 256
Pacific 0(?ean, 373
Padt, Willem, Captain, 32; expedi- tion of, 294 Page's, M. de, "Voyages autour du
Monde," by, 292 et seq. Pagni (John), 6; his death, 47 Pagodes, at Batavia, 225, 257; of the
eastern idolators, 67 Paille-en-queue, 11, 82, 329, 347 Pails, pitched with gum, 153 Painesuyt, Seigneur de, xvii Paint of the Hottentots, 288 Palace of St. James's, in Loudon, 24,
102 Paltcographia Grtcca, Ixxx Palceornis exsul, 84, 85, 336, 337, 338 Palanquins, lined with capoc, 65 Paletuvier (the mangrove), 69 Paling Rivier, 146 Palm fibre, 188
Palm, Latanier, 61, 63, 120; cabbage, 77
INDEX.
417
Palui.a, Island of, 8
J'alniiste inurron, 62, 332
Palms, Isle of, 213
Palm-trees, in Eden, 43; in Maurice,
200 ; in Rodru/uez, 52, 59, 61, 86,
332 et seq. ; Bctd, 264 Palm-wine, 62, 105, 129 Pamplemousse, 197, 372; Botanical
gardens of, 376 Pan, the god, 68 Pandanus, xiv, 103 et scq.; 332, 350
screw-pine on Vaqnoas I., 172
Panormita, verse of, 108 Papangars, or Mardj'kears, 236 Papaj-e-tree, 201, 292 Paradise, an earthly, 49 "Paradise Lost," quoted, 23; "Re- gained," 87 Paradise, terrestial, Bourbon I., 41 Parallel lines of piles, at Batavia,
226 Parasols, 64 Parat, M. de, xxxviii Paretuvier, a particular tree, 68,
69 Paris, Museum at, 345, 352; Mena- gerie at Museum of Natural History
in, 342 Paris pint, the, 278; Treaty of, 42 Parish, Captain, account of Batavia
by, 223 Park of land-turtle, 70, 374 Parnakan Chinese, 237 Parnassus, Plains of, Ixxii Parroquet, green, xli, 53, 210, 337 Parrots, great numbers of them at
Isle Rodrigo, 53, 84, 105; the flesh
of the young ones is good to eat,
85 Parrots, in Eden, 44; in Rodriguez,
53, 84; brought to Mauritius, 105,
338, 341, 345; in Mauritius, 210,
336, 372 Piirthcnope spinosissima, 213 Partridges, red, grey and white at
the Cape, 280; in Eden, 44; at St.
Helena, 300 Pasca fflamingos, 372 Passe Demie, 324 Passe, Isle de la, 159, 163, 178, 179,
209 Passe Platte, 324, 327 Passes, or channels, breaks in the
reefs, breaches, 112, 113 ci scq. Pastor, of French Church at the
Cape, 283; of Walloon Church at
Leydcu, 148 Patates, or yams, 152, 207 Paternosters, muttering, 132 Patole, or snake-gourd, 175
Patricius Vartomanni, Ixvii, 269; Re- lation of, 24
Patrick (St.) has banished venomous creatures from Ireland, 214
" Paid et Virginie," by Bernardin de St. Pien-e, 147
Paul, St., Island of, 349
Paul, Saint, quoted, 61, 122, 124, 190
Paulist Christians, xliii
Pavilion, Arbre, 103
Payang, or sambrcel. sunshade, 240
Peace of Ryswick, xxi, 271
Peace without fraud, 295
Peach, 200
Peacocks, wrongly translated from Giants, 44 ; great birds on stilts, 45
Pear, 200
Pea7-l, the, Castleton's ship, Ivi; bas- tion of citadel at Batavia, 223
Pease in Eden, 44
in St. Helena, 299
Pedant, mad, 133; Pedants, 36
Pedro de Cintra, 23
Peerage of England, Nichols', Ixxxi
Pclidna ciiiclus, 330
Pellew, Sir Edward, 227
Pelzeln, Dr. von, 366
Pemphis acidula, 327
Penal colony, 181
Penalties, severe, for buying amber- gris, 153
Penalty of illicit trade at" the Cape, 294
Penderell, John, 51
Penelope, La, 340
Penguin or Robben Island', 29
Pen-knife, blood-letting w-ith a 170
Pcntapus dux. 322
People that love images, 257; have no ideas, 259
Pepper- tree, xiv, 65
" Perambulation of Kent," Lam- bard's, 32
Pere Hardouin, 309
Pere Hyacinth, 3
Pereira, Ruy, or Diogo Fernand'es, 314, 315
Periijlus, the Erythriran, 264; of Scylax, 302
Perle, He de la, Ivi, 3
Perou, 74; and Lesueur, MM., African travellers, 293
Perroquetts, Ixi, 53. 210,- 337
Perruche, 337, 350
Perse (Le), a flux of blood, 161, 231
" Perse, Voj'age en," by Tavernier, 68
Persecution, of France, 259; of Hu- guenots, 1
G (1
418
INDEX.
Perseverance, the Dutch ship, 162 ct
seq. Persia, banyan in, 67; coach horses
from, 239 Persian wine, 228; voyages, 68 Persians, the, 68
Pertz, chronicle recovered by, 132 Peru, 269 ; why so called, 285
Account of, by Acoata, 286
Perugino, Ixxx
Peter Thomas, 51, 55, 135, 156
Petition or memorial sent to Holland,
165 Petrel, black, 178; petrels, 347 Petrology of Rodriguez, lii Petticoat, unnecessary, of Hottentot
women, 292 Pezophaps minor, 352 ; Solitarius,
viii, 1, 342, 353 Phaeton, several species of, 83, 84,
329, 347 Pharaon, Crenr de, 171 Pheasants at the Cape, 2^0 ; at St.
Helena, 300 Phehuma, 86
Philippe II, King of Spain, 136 Philippe Diodate, 148 Philippine Islands, 269 ; the Solitary
Thrush of the, xliv, xlv Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay,
366 Philosopher and his Wife, Chinese
storj', liy Sir John Davis, 244 Philosophers, according to the common signification of the word, are prov'd foolish fellows and talkers to no purpose, 37 Philosopher's Stone, 132 Philosophical Trans. Roy. Soc, Intro,, lii, 53, 67, 70, 81 ct x>a»sim Philosophie d'Aprenti-Moine, 176 Philtres, Love potions given by the
women of Java, 265 Phlebotomists, or vein-cutters, 115 Phocce, 340 Phoenician Tongue, inscription in the,
134 Phyllanthus Casticus, 333 " Physical History of Man," by Dr.
Pickering, 288 Physicians are in perpetual contra- diction among themselves, from whence we may conclude they rather act by chance than by knowledge, 115 ; their tragi-comi- cal consultations, ibid. ; quarrel and tiglit, cannot decide their differences without drawing cuts, ihid. ; Physicians that are not skil- ful, 133 ; those of Europe look'd
upon as pernicious to the country by the islanders of Java, 231, 232
Physick (common) a pure cheat, and more destructive than service- able to mankind, 115
Physiognomy, of the Chinese, 241 ; ^ of the Hottentots, 238, 291
Phyz's of Hottentot women, 291
Pianqui I., 326
Picardy, 6, 154
Pickeriug, Dr. Charles, " Chrono- logical History of Plants," by, 264, 288
Pico Martinez, in Sal Island, 11
Pictures, in Chinese Temples, 257 ; of Chinese, 241
Pidgeons of Isle Rodrigo are smaller and tamer than ours, 82
Pierrot, one of the adventurers, 6, 55 ; Island, 88, 326
Pig, 347
Pigeon, Dutch, 211 ; Hollandais, 345
Pigeons, 44, 82, 231, 344 ct seq.
Pigot, Governor, xl
Pike, Colonel N., "Sub-tropical Rambles," by, 66, 148, 179, 203
Pikes, fish with sharp teeth, 174
Piles, parallel lines of, at Batavia, 226
Pillar, draught of, 135 ; ingraved, 134; of M. de Flacourt, 41,317
Pilot, 51; Pilots, 302; Sub-Pilot, 3(i3
Pilot- Fish, 97
Pinang, kernel of the areca-nut, 230
Pine apples, 104, 197
Pingre, the astronomer at Rodri- guez. Introduction, xi, 337, 338
Pinnacle, called Lot, in St. Helena, 298
Pins, pandani, 332
Pint, the Paris, equivalent to the English quart, 278
Pintades, 28, 300
Pintado's of divers sorts, at Batavia, 231
Pipe (an Ambulator), 296
Piper betel, 264
" Piscibus Marinis, de," Rondelet's, 98
Pisang, 197 ; see Pinang, 239
Pisonia, 201
Pitch, 152, 180
Piton, de la Riviere Noire, 146
Pitt, Thomas, at Madras, 153 Pitts, or pools, on the reef at Mauri- tius, Fish in, 173 et seq. Placaat, severe, against illicit trade at the Cape, 294
INDEX.
419
Plaine des Caffres, 201,210
Plaise, 372
Plancius, Petrus, map of, 312
Plank, found at Rodriguez, 107 150
Plantane, or Latanier, 52 et seq., fil
et seq., 147, 172, 200 ; cotton of,
120 Plantane-leaves, Huts of, 99 ; mats
of, 188; roofs of, 147 ; hats of,
172 Plantane-trees, 43 ; on island, 176 ;
in Mauritius, 200 ; Rodriguez, 52,
59, 61, 86 Plantation House at St. Helena,
376 Plantations in Mauritius destroyed
by hurricane, 170 Planters at the Cape are French
refugees, 285 ; at Black River,
147 Plants and trees of the Isle of Eden,
43. Two curious plants, 231.
Medical Plants at the Cape, 294 Plants at Batavia, 229 ; Bourbon,
43 ; Cape, 275 ; Mauritius, 147 ;
Rodriguez, 57 ; St. Helena, 299 Plants of the Indies at Black River,
147 Plaque, frontal and rostral, 369 J'liKjucniinier inclanidc, 197 I'lataJca oj<ija. Spoonbill, 15 Plates of fialm bark, 64 Pliny the Natnroligt, a fabulous
Author, 24, 67, 97, 199 Plovers or purrs, 85 Plunkett, Mr., 1 Plutarch's account of Themistocles,
145 Pluto's Birds whose flesh stinks, 84,
178 Poccia, pozza, 101 Pods or schools of whales, 22 Poetaster, 132
Poincy and de Rochefort, 17, 90 Point, the Devil's, 163 ; Point Diable,
209 Pointe d'Esny, 367 Pointe du Palmier, 325 Pointe du Sal, 330 Pointe de la Pouce, 324 Points (laces) at Genoa, 278 Poirier, Captain Stephen, Governor
of St. Helena, 298 Poison in Java, 262 ; kcc Poi/SDn. Poisoned weapons, 264 Poisonous fish, 174 Poivre, M., 200 Pole, artick, 68 Pole Star, 38 Poles, 180
Poliojisitta cana, parrot, 210
Pollu.x, Castor and, St. Pollux, 35, 38
Polygamy of the Cafres, 291
Pomegranates, at St. Helena, 299
Pomfflets, 372
Pomjies d'eau, water-spouts, 16
Pomponius Mela, 255, 269
Pondicherry, 199, xliii
Ponies, island-bred, at St. Helena,
300 Pont volant. 128 Ponyard, poyson'd, or Cric, 264 Poop, Trade- wind blown in our, 140 Pope, Adeodatus, 158 ; Adrian VI,
5, Hadrianus, ihid. ; Innocent XI,
133 ; Vitaliauus, 158 ; Sylvester II,
132 Popes, diatribe against the, 130, 131 Porcelain, trade in, by Chinese, 251 Porcolaines, species of Cy2^i'(ea, 179 Porcupines, at the Vaj^, 278 ; quills
of, in lion's .=<kin, 281 Porj)hyrio 3Iad/i;/a.iraricnsis, 210 Porpoises have hot blood ; carry
their young like whales, Lamentius,
etc., 8, 10, 22 Port Bourbon, 105 Port-en-Bessin, 18 Port, Grand, Warwick Haven or, 147;
see Grand Port Port Louis, xl, 144, 146, 149, 183,
195, 345, 375 Port Mathurin, xxxviii, 10, 102, 113,
119 Port North-west, or Port Louis,
Noort Wester Haven, 149 Port Santa Maria, 1 1 Port, South-east ; sec Grand Port Port Souillac, 145 Portrait (A) of the noble Binonfa,
247 ; of the nolile Ti-Hokai, 248 Portugal, King of, John II, 30, 298 ;
John III, IV. 41 Portuguese, archives, 309 ; discoveries
in the Indian Ocean, ibid., 41, 44 Portuguese, 15, U8 ; transport fruit
and cattle to St. Helena, 299 Portugueses (Protestant) have two
churches at Batavia, 224, 250 Portuguses, Maurice discovered by
the, 195 ; in Batavia, 236 Portulnca oleracca, " Pourpier", or
purslane, 56, 70, 95 Poste, Riviere du, 146 l^ostulant, or novice in convent, 176 Potatoes, sent to Rodriguez from
Mauritius, 152 ; good for nothing,
189 Potatos, abundance of, at Batavia,
207, 230 ; iu Eden, 44
420
INDEX.
Pottage-pot, soot from, faces of Hot- tentots daubed with, 290 Poule Sultane, 210 Poulet d'lude, 35S Poult, to, an old hawking term, 174 Poultry, at Black Kiver, 147 ; sent to
Rodriguez, 151 Pound of sixteen ounces, 282 Pourpier, 70
Powder for cartridge, for dressing- box, 133 Power (Arbitrary) good lessons
against all such power, 244, 245 Poj'son (see Poison) tried on rats, 40 ; in presents ou Chinese tombs, 257 Poysoned daggers in Java, 262 "Practycke in Crimiuele saecken
gehemaeckt", 158 Prayer-Book, 187 Prayers, Machinal, 257 Pr;eluilium, unpleasant, 20 Preachers (modern) of the Gospel will needs explain mysteiies, 101 ; they ought not to do so, 132 Preaching at Mauritius, 371 " Precieuses Ridicules, les", by Moli^re,
46 Predikaut, Petrus Simonszoon, at
Drakenstein, 283 ; Friars, 136 Preface, Author's, Ixxv ; Editor's,
xiii Prefaces, Their benefit ; see Pre/.,
Ixxxviii Prejudice, popular, 133 Premium for killing lions and tigers
at the Cape, 281 " Present State of England", 51 Presents, often beneficial, how small
soever, 172, 173 Preservative, magic, in Macassar, 265 Presidial Chamber, 11)2 Pretence of Vice-Admiral at the
Cape, 272 Priacanthus, 322
Price of provisions, fixed by Govern- ment, 189 ; at the Cape, 282 Pridham, C, on Mauritius, 67, 144, 149; " England's Colonial Empire", by, xxiv Priests (Chinese), 257 et seq. Princes in Java, 265 Prior, Flacq described by, 150 Prisoners, adventurers made, 156 Prisoners, cruelty to French, 161 Privateer, French, 7 Privilege, of Chinese, 242 ; of civi- lians in Java, 241 ; of Javans, wearing the Cric, 265 Procellaria atcrrinut, Plutos, 178, 347
Processions (Chinese), 252, 255, 258 Procopius, quoted, 134, 135 Produce of the earth, without labour,
at the Cape, 277 Projet de Republique k 1' He d'Eden,
by Sauzier, xviii, xxviii, xxxvi Promulgation of Edict of Nantes,
original, 1 Pronis takes possession of Bourbon,
hi Proposition to gain time, 126 Protestants (French) have a Church
at the Cape, 283 Protestants, French, follow their
pastors into exile, xxii, 1 Proverb, French, 121 Proverbs, a word ill apply'd to the
sentences of Solomon, 244 ; quoted,
122 Providence, Divine, Preface, liv, 1, 49,
145, 156. 304 Province of Bresse, 1, 127 ; Introduc- tion, xvii Provinces, the United, 195 Provisions, price of, 189 ; at the
Cape, 282 ; boiled, full of worms,
141 ; scanty supi)ly of, 160 Pruderice, a cr(iole, liii Prussia, 1 Psalms of David, an admirable book,
36, 52 ; newly translated into
French verse at the Cape, 283 ct
seq. Psalms, version of, by Marot and
Beza, 12, 36, 283 et seq. Psittaciens, 345 Psittacus, species of, 85, 371 ; P.
rodericanus, 338, 345 Pterodroma aterrima, black Petrel,
178, 324, 328, 347 Pteropus Edwardsii, flying fox, 45, 85,
337 ; P. ruhricolUs, 347 Public Worship of Roman Catholics
disallowed at Batavia, 225 ; at
Rodriguez, xliii Puente, Martinez de la, 309 Puets, 44
Puffinns chlororynchus, 178 Pugnacity of Solitaire, li, 79 Pullets, 231 ; Pullett's egg, serpent
stone bigger than a, 234 Pvilo Panjang, in Bantam Baj\ 271 Pulse, £it the Cape, 276, 278 ; at
St. Helena, 299 Pumpkins, 44 Punishments, of slaves, 181 ; of
Ranishmeut, 278 ; of whipping, ih. Purchas' Pilgrims, Ixxix Purgon, 46 Purs or Purrs, plovers, 8, 85
INDEX.
421
Purse, story of a purse stol'u by the
crabs or rats, '.^'2, 93 Purslaiu seed, 56, 70, 95 Purslane, the only European herb
found by the adventurers at
Rodrigo, 70, 95 Purveyors, negligence of, 160, 175,
180, 183, 188 Puttooren, 210 Puvigne, M. de, Commandant at
Rodriguez, xliii Pyrard de Laval, Voyage of, 153
Q.
Quadrant, solar, of loadstone, 108
Quails, water, 208
Quales, 44
Quaresma Pero, 310
Quart, the English, equals the Paris
pint, 278 Quatre vingt Brisans, or eighty break- ers, name of a reef, xlix, 140 Queen Anne, Ixxi Queen Marie of England, 32 ; Queen
Victoria, the wreck of the, xlix Queensland, Australia, 384 Querets, 176 ; sec equerets and ferrets,
329 Quesne {Ilcnry, Marquis of), his design to form a colony of French refugees, Pre/-, 2 et seq. Questions, put to the Chinese dead,
255 ; put to the Irish dead, ib. Quills of porcupine in lion's skin at
Ca[)e Town, 281 Quilles au baton, or ninepins, a game,
lOi Quilts (matelas) of Capoe, 65 Quimper, Monk of, Pere Hyacintlie, 3 Quintus Curtius, 68 ; Quincurse, ib. Quirisia laciniata, 332 Quolibcts, the reign of, 121
R.
Rabannes, of Rofia palm, 188 Rabbi Benjamin, a bad author, Pref.
Ixxix Rabbit Island, or Robben Eilant, 274 Rabos Forgados, 371 Radishes at St. Helena, 299 Rafales, high winds, 27 RatHc, a ghastly game at, 182 Raft, or float, of chests, 168 Ragouts of the Hottentots, 288 Jiaia, 322 Rail, wincfless, 342 ; Goaut comjtared
with, 362 Rain, salt, in hurricane, 37 ; seldom
occurs in Bourbon, 58
Rains frequent at Bataria, between
the months of November and
April, 225, 227 ; in Eden, 58 Rallidcp, a form of Gelinotes, 81, 335 Ralluit, Gallinula Lcyuatia, compared
with, 362 " Rambles, Subtropical", see Pike Rambouillet, Hotel, 22 Jiapid, H.M.S., 350 Rates of the Apostolical Chamber, Rats, a great number of tliein at
Bodrigo, 70, 89, 90. 126, 346 ; at
Mauritius, 212 ; at ^t. JIdcna, 300 Rattan, split, for flogging slaves, 181 Rattle-snake, 174 Ravin sara, 201 Rays, 322 Raz de-marce, 113 Reader, French Protestant, at the
Cape, 282 Reading and writing useless to
Hottentots, 295 ; taught to Negro
slaves, 297 " Recherches sur la fauue des iles
Mascareignes," 81 Red Sea, Dugong in the, 76, 384 Reef.s, origin of Coral, 109 ; chains
or reefs of rocks, ib. Rees' Cycloptedia. 65 Eeflcxions sur V Euchariste, by Henri
Duquesne, 2 Refreshments, at Cape, 33 ; at Mau- ritius, 146 ; at St. Helena, 300
ct seq. Refugees. French, earnest to teach
Negro slaves, 297 ; jilanters at the
Cape, 285 ; Huguenots settled iu
S. Africa, 284, 285 Reins of Hottentots, thong of
leather about the, 288 "Relation de I'lle Rodrigue", 320 et
seq. " Relation " de M. Delon, 39 Relations of Voyaijcs ; of what
materials they ought to be com-
posd, they that write them ought
to know themselves, I'rrf. Ixxvi "Relations Veritables et Curieuses de
de risle de Madagascar et du
Bresil", 358 Religion, instruction iu, given to
Negro slaves, 297 Religion (vulgar) full of fruitless
and rash things, 101 ; in France, 2 ;
Chinese, 257 ; of Iloltcntuts, 289 ;
of Javans, 268 Remarks, historical and critical,
made in a voyage from I(<dii to
Holland in 1704, xxviii; a book full
of Falsities, Pref. Ixxxv
422
INDEX.
" Remarques Historiques," par Fres-
chot, xxviii, Ixxix Remedies, simi^le, of natives, 294 Rcmora Echincis, the sucking-fiish, 97 Renewing of the Moon, feast and
dance of Negroes at, 297 Rent, none imposed on refugees at
the Cape, 284 Reprisal, 133 ; for vessel and sails, 156 Republick blest by heaven, Holland
a, 138 Republick of Letters, xxx ; its in- habitants imitate the brokers, Pref. Republick in Rodriguez, 52 Republics, little sorts of in S. Africa,
295 Requins, fish ; the vulgar opinion of
this tish criticiz'd upon, 97, 322 Reserves, the, 203
Resinous gum of the Colophane, 152 Restoration of Solitaire, li ; of Geaut,
359 Reunion, Island of, xviii, 3, 34, 36, 42
et seq., 82, 178, 195, 210, 349, 368,
373; Consul at, 174; discovery of,
308 et scq. Revelation, 268
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1 Revolution at Bourbon, 3 Rhc, Isle of, 5 Rhinoceros, in the Isle of Java, 232 ;
at the Cape, 279 ; is the only
unicorn, ib. ; fables told of it, ib. ;
its shape like an elephant's, ih. ;
has but one horn, ib. ; the hair of
its tail is black, harsh and large,
lb. Rhinochetus, 370 Rhodes, commander of, 310 Rhone, the river, xvii, 127 Rhytma, of Behriug's Island, viii,
xiv, 74, 381 : skull of, 382 Ribero, Diego, famous pilot, 308
et seq. Rice, common, and the bread of
Java, 228 Rice, at Bourbon, 44 ; Batavia, 228 ;
the Cape, Mauritius, Rodriguez, St.
Helena, 299 ; sent to Rodriguez,
152 Rice, supplied by sea-ofRcers, 166. 175 Rice birds, 210 Richelieu, Cardinal, xvii, 22 River birds, 369 River, Black, 146, 174 River entrances in Mauritus, six
enumerated, 146 River, great, at Batavia, Javanese
campongs on, 261 ; little, in Rodri- guez, 50
Rivers so filled with fish that one can't swim over them without touching, 43, 59, 60
Rivier, Anauasse, Dieppe, Paling, and Swarte, 146, 148
Riviere Chaux, 147
Riviere, des Anguilles, du Post, 146; Tabac, 203; Profonde, 206; Noire, 367
Riviere Noire, Piton de la, 146
Rivulets in Rodriguez, 59
Rixdollars, Dutch money, equiva- lent of, 154; four paid as wild- beast tax, 281
Road, old Dutch, from Port Louis to Flacq, 149
Roads for shipping, at St. Helena, 299
Roan, or Rouen. 6
Robben (Isle), its situation, 29, 272 et seq. ; improperly nam'd by the French, 274 ; Origin of its name, ib.
Roche, Michael de la, xxxii
Rochefort, criticis'd upon, 15, 16, 17, 68, 89; " History of Antilles," by, 199, 292
Rochelle, 18
Rochon, the Abb ' Alexis, on position of Ste. Brande, 66
Rock of Exile, 159, 165, 172 ; of Zochelot, 190
Rocks and Shoals passed safely, 139
Rocks, chains of, 109; and reefs, ib.
Rocky Island, 327
Rod of reeds for flogging slaves, 181
Rodolfe, Roelof, or Rudolj^he Diodati, 148
Rodrigo the Cid, 121
Rodrigo (Isle), 4; its situation and extent, 48, 50 ; a plan of the ad- venturers' habitation, ib.; tempe- rateness of the air, 57; description of that island, ib., etc. ; though there was neither bread nor wine, yet we made good cheer there, 105; memoirs at, 190; eight kings of, 129
Rodriguez, xix, xxxvii; discovery of, 47, 308; tortoises at, 184, 378; ex- tinct fauna of, 320 et seq.; ge'ant in, 210; rats and mice in, 212 ; reefs of, 109; Relation de, 320 et seq.
Roe-buck, at the Cape, 278; in full course, 290
Roman Cathcjlics; Clergy, 257; Errors of, 100; Liberty of conscience to, 225; public worship by, disallowed at Batavia, 225
Rome, 54, 124
Ronde Island, 214
INDEX.
423
Rondeletius, or Rondelet, 16, 17, 97, 98
Roots eaten by Hottentots, 289
Ropes, 64
Rorquals, 22
Rost, Dr. R.. xiii
Rotterdam, 17, 158, 192
Rouget, Rougette, 322
Rouillard, M., a magistrate of Mau- ritius, xxxix, 320
Round Island, 84, 200
Rousseau, J. J , 49
Roussettes, 347
Rowley, Captain, xlvi, xlvii
Royal Academy of Sciences of Am- sterdam, 359
Royal Oak, 51
Royal Society, li
Royal Society, Philosf)pliical Trans- actions of, xiii, ct paxtsiiii
Ruby bastion, the, 223
Rumphius, the botanist, on poison- tree, 264
Rupert's Valley, in St. Helena, 298, 299
Riippell, habitat of Halicorc taherna- culi, according to, 76
Russia, Emperor of, 134
Rye, on the Kentish shore, 18
Ryswick, Peace of, xxi; news of, 271
Ryswick, suburb of Batavia, 222
Sa, Payo de, 311 c< srq.
Sabercanes, one sort of the Javan arms, or blow-tubes, 262, 264
Sabre worn by Macassars, 264
Sack, and Loaches in England, 24; yellowish wine like, 166
Sack of Lantore by the Dutch, 161
Sage King of Letters, sec Confucivis
Sages iu China, 244
Sago-tree, the, 236
Sail, mat used as a, 188
" Sailing Directions" ; sec Findlay
Sailors, convalescent, as iervauts, 156
Sails, rendered useless, 139; of ad- venturers' vessel given away, 155
St. Alexis, xxxviii
St. Autoine, M. de, xlv {see p. 133)
St. AppoUouia, Ivi, 3, 310 ct scq.
Saint Benoit, Ixxix
Saint Brande, 65, 66
St. Denis, 3; Observatory of, 36, 41
St. Elme, St. Helme, or Saint Telme, fire of, phenomenon, 34, 35
St. George, Fort, at Madras, 153; and the Dragon, 174
St. Helena Bay, 34; Island of, 272, 298 et seq., 3? 6
St. James's Palace, 24; Park, 102
St. Lawrence, Island of, or Mada- gascar, 311 c< scq.
St. Marie, or Santa Maria, Island of, 315 ct scq. ; Maria Rotunda, Ixxx
St. Mark, MS., Ixxxi
St. Maur, Congregation of, Ixxix
St. Maurice, Island of, 304
St. Nicholas' Point, in Java, 271
St. Paul, 3, 38, 41, 190; Island of, 349; Church of, xliii
St. Paul's, Bourbon, xlvi
St Pierre, Bernardin de, " Paul and "Virginia," by, 147, 196, 200, 209
St. Quentin, in Picardj', 6, 154
St. Thomas, Island of, at Mozam- bique, 311
Sal Island, 11
Salaiy of French pastor at the Cape, 283
Salt, 87; desci-iption of the Island that l)ear8 that name, 11
Salt edibles, on the rock, 173
Salt-Hind, 175
Salt of Isle Rodrigo, 87
Salt-flesh, corrupted, as food for prisoners, 160
Saltpetre, 206
Salutation of a bullet at Greenwich, 32
Salutation, of the Chinese, 251
Salute, at the Cape of Good Hope, 32; in honour of treaty of Ryswick, 272
Sambawaui-ese, 237
Sambreel, or payang, a sunshade, 240
Sauaturiuni, at Ascension, 300
Sandpiper, 85
Sands, shipwreck on, 150
Sandy Island, 324
Sanson Mathurin, the pilot, 10
Sansonnet, Indian, 211
Sans Soucy, Captain, 51
Santa Maria des Virtudes, 314 et scq.
Santarem, Atlas of, 308 ct scq.
Sanuto, Livio, Geography of, 311
Saoue, River, xvii. 127
Saphire bastion, the. 216, 234
SapotacccP, 332
Sardis, Themistocles at, 145
Sargasso Sea, the, 301 etscq.
Sarr/assum, or gulf-weed 302
Satyrs, anti-Christian, 131
Saucepan, or skillet, 187
Saucers, 64
Saumatre, the River, 60
Saurians, 349
Sauzier, M. Th., Preface, xviii, xxviii, xxxvi, 2, 40
Savage Irish, 255
Savanna River, Mauritius, 146
424
INDEX.
Savanne Mountain, 146 Savoy, 127
Savoyard frontier, xvii Saws, 55
Scales, or Quilles, nine-pins, 104 Schah, Empire du, 68 Schetland, one of the Islands, be- lieved to be the ancient Thule, 7 Schism, created by dispute on a word,
131 Schlegel, Professor Herman, 9, 15; on
the Geant, 359 ct seq.; Appendix,
344, 370 et seq. Schools, or pods, of whales, 22 Schreber, 202 Schryver, Ensign, his expedition,
295 Sclater, Dr. P. L., editor of "Ibis"',
366 _ Scorpions, not dangerous, in Isle
Rodrigo ; none found in Eden, 39,
40, 95 Scotland, northernmost point of, 304;
Union of Parliaments in. Ixxii Scott, A. W., on Mammalia, 74 Scott Elliot, xiii, 202 Scottish Estates, Ixxii Scourging of slaves, 181 Screw-pines, prevalence of, in Rod- riguez, 103, 332. See Pandanus. Scurvy, 33
Scutia Commcrsonii, 332 cylax, Periplus of, 302 Scylla, Charybdis upon, Ixxxii Sea-animals, 209 Sea-birds, 82, 176 Sea-bream, 17
Sea-cow, 28, 210; Steller's, 383 Sea-crabs, 93, 213 Sea-dogs, or seals, 274 Sea-eels, 76
Sea-froth, knip distilled from, 228 Sea gale, or sea-breeze, at Batavia,
226 Sea-grass, 302 Sea-larks, 330
Sea-marks at Rodriguez, 139 Sea-officers, 1 75
Sea-sick adventurers in boat, 141 Sea, Sargasso, 301, 302 Sea-serpent, eel, or lamprey of 601bs.,
173, 322 Sea-swallow, or flying-fish, 10, 16 Sea-tortoise, or turtle, 43, 72, 179,
209, 323 Sea-water made fresh by condensing,
301 ; .salt from, 87 Sea- weeds, 302; float of, 163 Sea-winds, 273; in torrid zone, 227 Sea-wolfs, at Tristan Island, 27
Seal Island, or Robben Island, 273 et seq.
Sebusiens, 127
Secretaire du Due de Savoye, xvii
Sect of Tommi Mahometans in Java, 268
Segusiani, 127
Seigneur de la Fougere, xvii; de Pai- nesuj't, xvii
Seligny, M. de, cotton mill of, 204
Selys-Longchamp, M. de, 343
Senegal, Voyage au, 110
Sentences, proj^er name of Proverbs, 244
Sentier, Bois, 332
Sentinelle, 329
Sepoys, xlvi
Sepulchres, place of, for Chinese, 256
Serin, 352
Sermons on the Old Rock, 99
Serpent, description of a sea-serpent, whose flesh was venomous, 173; no serj^euts in Isle Maurice, 214; Hood-serpents in the Lsle of Java, 234; a serpent 50 foot long, 234
Serpent, stone of the, 190, 234
Scrranits, 322
Serrao, fleet of Joao, 311
Settala Maufredi, cabinet of, in Milan, 279
Settlement, removal of Dutch, in Mauritius, 147
Sctubal, the ship, 315
Seventeen, the Assembly of. Directo- rate of the Dutch Company, 192, 283
Sexes do not intermix abroad, at the Cape, 293
Seychelles Islands, the, 67, 110, 309, 345, 356, 376
Shaddocks in Mauritius, 175, 197
Shagreen, Dugs wrinkled like, 292
Shakespeare, 81
Shallop, from Chaloupe, 156
Sharks, 96, 166, 174, 209, 322
Sharpe, Mr., lii
Sheaa-waters. 347, 351
Sheep, at the Cape, 278 ; at St. Helena, 300
Sheep-skin covers shoulders of Hot- tentots, 288
Sheers, 55
Shell-fish, 209
Shells, very fine at the Isle of Salt, 14 ; others very fine in Eden, 14, 43, 136, 179 ; in Mauritius. 179 ; worn in hair of Hottentots, 289
Shells of tortoises, enormous, 373 et !teq.
INDE.V.
425
Shelves, or ledges of rock, reefs,
translated from " Brisans", 47; ex-
]iression used by John Dryden, 47 ;
by Southey, 139, 145
Shi[)'s crew, letters read to, 150
Slii|>s of iJutcli Company built at
Onrut, 227 Ship-wreck on sands of Rodrigo, 150 Shoals, the Aniirante, 309 Shoar, a flat, 301 Shoes of skin, ISO " Shooe piuch'd, where the", proverb,
121 Showers, small, at St. Helena, 299 Shufeldt, Mr., viii, xi, 358 " Siam, Journal du Voyage de," by Choi^.y, Ixxvii, 33, 153; "English Inteiciiurse with', 153 Siamese countries, poison-tree in, 264 Sick brought ashoar at the Cape, 294 Sidiroxylon, 332
Sigheni, gold-mines of, in China, 249 Signal, 185 ; to tack, disobeyed, 302
ct seq. Silver, unknown to natives at Cape,
293 Silversmith, 52, see Haye Siuon van der Stel. Governor, 32, 275 Simond, Reverend rierre,of Dauphiue,
282, 283 Sinionetta Anastasius, Ixxx Simples, knowledge of, by Hottentots,
294 Simplicity of Hottentots, 296 Sinte Helena, Ixviii Siqueira, Gouzalo de. 311 ; Diego
Lopez de, 312 et seq. Sirenia, 75, 379 ei seq. Sirens or Mermaids, 380 ^'imn Sisarum. 288 Skates, fish, 209
Skeleton of Solitaire, restoration of, 1 SkitFof skins sewed together, ISO Skillet, or saucepan, 187 ISkilling, eight to the crown, Dutch money, 282 ; equivalent to six sous, ib. Skiuks, 86 Skins, deer, 180 Skins, of lions in fort at Cape Town,
281 ; like Furbelo's, 292 Skirrets, Siuvi Sisarui/i, 288 ; root of,
represented, 290 Skulls, of Manatee and Dugong, xiv,
381; of Rhytina, xiv, 382 Slack'd lime, with areca and betel, 230 Slater, Mr. H. H., li, 85, 110, 338, 357 Slave of Othos, 133 Slaverv, 133 ; Chinese tail a badge of, 252
Slaves, treatment of in colonies. 181; from coast of Guinea 270 ; price of, at the Cape, 282 ; not dear at the Cape, 285 ; go naked, 296 ; freed, become Libertius, 297 Slippers of the ladies of Jam, a
mark of distinction, 267 Sloane, Dr., xxiv Smaragd, Ixvii Smient, Dirk Janozoon, Governor of
Mauritius, Ivi Smith, Jlr., lii Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
xi Smollett's " Universal History", Mo- dern Part, 224, 230, 272 Snails, eaten by Hottentots. 290 Snakes, absence of, in Bourbon, 43 ;
in Mauritius, 214 Snake-gourd, 175 Suewberg, mountains of, 293 Snipe, sea-fowl in colour and taste
like, 177 Snuff-box, 51
Suai>, price of, at the Cape, 282 Soares, Ruj', 310 et srq. Societe de Geographi^, x Socotoia, Island of, 315 Sofala, 311
Soil of Isle Maurice almost every- where reddish, 196 Solar quadiaut of loadstone, 108 Soldiers as servants, 156 Soldiers, Dutch, in Java, bridled by the Company, 241 ; at the Cape, 295 Solinus, a fabulous author, 24, 255,
269 Solitaire, the. xii. xx, 44, 333 et seq.,
337,341 ct seq., 352 et seq. Solitaries, 64, 129
Solitary (the), a particular sort of bird, 77, 88 ; has a stone in its throat, 79 ; never lays but one egg, 79, 88 ; ceremony of its marriage, 79 Solitary Thrush, of the Philippines,
xiv Solomon, Book of, 2 13 ; Proverbs of,
quoted, 122 Song of Thanksgiving, 191, 204, 304 Songs of Hottentots, 296 Sonnerat, M., his "Voyage aux Indes''
263, 293, 345 Soot and gr( ase, Hottentots besmeared
with, 288, 290 Sooty terns, 352 Sourat, 68
Sous, the French money, 278 ; six sous equivalent to a skilliug, 282 II H
426
INDEX.
South-east Tort, 107, 209
Southej', Ilobert, his Thalala, 139,
145 Spain, coast of, 24 ; wine from, 228 Spaniards, give name of Peru to part
of America, 2S5 Spanish wine, 166, 228 Sparrows, 344 Sparrow Island, 326 Sparrow-owl, 344 Sperm-whale, 22, 23 "S[(here of Gentry", by Sylvauus
Morgan, 51 Sj)ice-trees, 201
Spielwyk, Fort, at Bantam, Ivii, 271 Spirits, wicked, their idea of a Divine
Being, 297 Spitaltields, 1 Spoonbill, 15 Spring tides at Port Mathurin, 113,
126 Spring-water, plentiful at the Cape,
286 Spurway, Mr., account of Lautore by,
161 Squadron, French, at Mascaregne,
33 Squalls, or grains, 15 Stadt-House, 52 Staij, 96
Stahlin, M., xxxiii Standards, in Chinese processions,
258 Standard of France erected, 41 States-General of Holland, xvii, 2,
182, 192 Stations, or touchings, 146 Statues in Chinese Temples, 258 Stavorinus. John Splinter, Admiral,
quoted, 182, 216, 222, 227, 271 Steinkerk, victory at, 164 Steller, the German naturalist, sea- cows observed by, 383 Stellenbosch, at the Cape, French
refugees near, 277 ; Burgher at,
torn by a lion, 281 Stenotaphrum mthlatum, 327 Sterna anefgtheta, 176 StUlingia, 201 Stink wood, 69, 70 ; stinking wood,
mapou, 201 Stocks, or Stombs, 158, 165, 171 Stombs, what they are, 158, 165,
171 Stone-houses, hardly secure, iu hur- ricane, 170 Stone, in Solitaire, xx, xxi ; of the
serpent, 190, 234 Storm, off the Cape, 34 et scq. ; at Alauritius, 169 ; at Cape, 273 ctscq.
Stork, the Geant compared to a, 361
Storms, Cape of, 30 ; off the Cajie, 273
Strabo, 255
Sti-ait of Sunda, or Suudt, 271
Strange, Mr., 342
Strasburg, IVIisson at, 135
Stratagem for taking lions and tigers,
281 Straussartiger Vogel, 368 Strawtail, bird, 84. Sec Paille-en-
queue Stri'psihis intci-pres, 351 Strickland, Dr., President of Ash-
moleau Society, Introdncti<in, 45 ;
Appendix, 341, 352 ct scq., 371 Strvjkles, 344
Strix {Athene) murivora, 90, 344 Stront-boom, a stinking tree, 201
ct scq. Structure, an admirable. See trees,
and origin of coral reefs, 109 Struthious birds, Geant compared
with, 360 et seq. Strychnos tieute, of Java, 264 Stryrhnos vontac, in Mauritius, 175 Stukeley, Dr., his "Itiuerarium
Curiosum", 51 Sub-pilot blamed, 303 Subaltern Deities iu China, 259 Subjection, token of, among Hotten- tots, 291 ; among the Maldivians,
153 Subjects, natural, of Tai-tar sovereign,
252 Submarine volcanoes, 109 " Subtropical Rambles", by Pike, 66,
148 Suburb, universal, of Batavia, 225 Succet or Remoia, pretended Pilot to
the Shark, 96 Succorj' (chicory), 56, 95 Sugar-canes, in Isle Maurice, 197 ;
in Eden, 44 Sula cufcnsis, 327 Sula piscator, 82, 328, 347, 351 Sumatra, 227, 271, 313 Summer di-ess of Hottentots, 290 Summer perpetual, at Batavia, 227 Sun-dial, with compass, 108 Sun, veneration for the, 297 Sunda, or Suudt, strait of, 271 Sundt, the, a streight, ib. ; change of
currents in, ib. Superstition of Chinese, 257 Suraagf, a Dutch vessel that came to
deliver the adventurers, ] 92 Surat, Jean Diodate dies at, 148 Surgeon, Clas, 150 Surges, prodigious, 273 Suriana maritima, 327
INDEX.
427
Suney. 105
Swallow, the name of the adven- turers' frigate, Ixxv, 5, 13, 34, 47 ; see Frigate
Swallows in Rodriguez, 85 ; at the Canaries, 11
Swarte Rivier, de, or Black River, 146, 148
Sweet-meats, 221
Swimmers, good, Beuelle and La Haye, 164
Sword-tish, 209
Si/vibulce Sirtnologicce, Brandt's mouo- * graph, 383
Synison's translation of Luillier's Voyage, 183, 284
T.
T-tree, the, 201
Table Bav, 29, 273, 275, 283, 297
Table-cloth, the 31
Table linen, taken from adventurers,
159 Tnble Mountain, 30, 272, 280 Tablier, curious, of Hottentot women,
292, 293 Tachard, P^re Guy, 28, 29, 31, 97.
279 Taehtjpetcs, aquila, 83 ; minor, 325 Tacky dromus scxliueatus, 236 Tack about, manoeuvre of Dutch
fleet, 302 et scq. Tag, the, a sea-bird, 84 Tail, worn by Chinese, a badge of
subjection. 252 Taillefer. a French Protestant living
at the Cape, 277, 287 Talbot, Capt., 371 Tiunarin mountains, 146 Tamarind tree, 201 TamJiouvina. 202 " Taming of the Shrew," 81 Tanks, drip, at Ascension, 301 ; on
the aux Fouquets, 159 Taoist philosopher, 244 Tapers, in Chinese temples, 257 Tares, degenerate seed, 57 Tarter, noble, in China, 249 Tartars, imjiosition of law by, 252 ;
invaders, 253 Tatamaka, 203 Tavernier (The Sieur), Ixviii, 68, 234 ;
a good jeweller, but a poor author,
made six voj'ages to the Eaat- Indies,
68, 269 ; his property of Aubonnr,
2 ; declares emeralds not to be
Oriental, 269 Tavern-keepers at Genoa, 27S Tax, for lion and tiger money, 281
Tea, common and imperial, 229 Tea, houses of Chinese at Batavia, 2,
29 ; trade in, 251 ; ordinary drink
of Javaus, 262 Teal, 372
Telfair, Mr., xlviii, xlix Telme, Saint, 35
Tempest, dreadful, at Mauritius, 170 Temjiests, gusts, or grains, 15 Temples ought not to be turn'd into
dens of thieves, 131 ; Chinese. 257 Tenneut, Sir Emmerson, "Natural
Historj- of Ceylon,"' by. 75, 86 Tent or Pavilion Tree, 104 Tent, linen, at Chinese funeral, 25.'> Tcrebnithaccce, Colophane Mauritiana,
one of the, 152 Terminalia Catappa, 201 ; T. Bcnjoin,
329 Termites, white ants, 225 Ternate, 236 Terns, 88 ; noddy-terns, 298, 299,
301 ; sooty, 352 Terrestrial avifauna of Rodriguez,
355 Testament, a commentary on the, 99 Testard (lohn), 6, 26, 52, 135, 154,
156, 162, 171 tt sc(/. ; ventures to
Sea on a float, and was never heard
of after, 184 ct seq. ; his letters,
187 Tcstudo, elcphantina, 70 ; imhricata,
179 Texel Road, xix, 6, 31 T/iitlaba, Southey's, quoted, 139, 145 Tlieal, " History of South Africa," by,
169, 181, 276, 280, 294 Thcatins, Ixxxviii Theatres, Chinese, 253 Thee, the best not worth al)ove 20
pence a pound at Batavia, 229 Theft punish'd severely by the
Hottentots, 295 Theinistocles at Sardis, 145 Tlnohroma cacao, 201 Thomas (Peter), 51 ct m/., l;{5. 156 Thong, leather, about the reins of
Hottentots, 288. .see Case Thorn, Major. " History of the Con- quest of Java," by, 221, 236, 241
ct scq., 262 rt scq. Thrasius, burnt by Busiris, 171 Thread of Palm fibre, 64 Thrushes, 44; Solitary, of the Philip- pines, xlv Thuillier, M., xl Thule (Isle), 7 Thunder, never heard in Isle
Ixodriijn, 58 ; rare in the region of
the trade- winds, 58
428
INDEX.
Thunderer, H.M.S., 144
Tibia, of owl, 90
Tiile, at Mauritius, 145
Tidore, 236
Ti-Fa, a Chinese noble, 247
Tigers, very large at Java, 232, 281 ; some at the Cape of Good Hope, 278 ; but they are very small, 281 ; reward given by the Com- pany to those that kill any of them, ih.
Tigisis, city of Numidia, 135
Ti-Hokai, a great extravagant Lord, 248
Timber, for carpenters in Eden, 43 ; trees of India, 67
Time ; no division made of it bj' the Hottentots,_ 295
Tingis, city in Numidia, 134
Titmouse, in Mauritius, 210
Tobacco, 44, 52 ; not to be bought at the Cape but by the Company, 282
Tobacco, planted in Mauritius, 147, 197; sent to Rodriguez, 152 ; and brandy, in token of peace, 295 ; and bread given to Hottentots for work, 286 ; given to Hottentot children, 289 ; exchanged for cattle, 293
Toile de Latanier, Vacoa matting, 188
Token of subjection, remarkable, 291
Tombs, of the Chineses, 257
Tommi, Mahommedan sect of, 268
Tools, furnished to refugees at the Cape, 285 ; at Rodriguez, 55
Tormentado, the Tempestuous Cape, 30
Torrent in Rodriguez, 94
Torrid Zone, Batavia in the, 227 ; water in the, 301
Tortoises, Extinct Gigantic, of the Mascarene Islands, Appendix E, 372 et seq.
Tortoises (Land), 70 ; there are throe kinds of tliem, ib. ; their fat is white, 71 : it never thickens, and it is better than our best butter in Europe, ib. ; their liver is excel- lently well tasted, ib. ; their bones have no marrow, ib. ; their eggs are round and very good to eat, 71 ; few in Maurice, 184 ; Appendix, 339 ; terrestrial, 339
Tortoises (Sea), 72 ; their fat is green, good to eat, purging, and will never coagulate, 73 ; some of them have weighed 500, ib. ; how to caich them, ib. ; when they lay
their eggs, ib. ; these eggs are not so good as those of Land Tortoises', ib. ; their livers are very unwhole- some and ill-tasted, /6.; their feeding ib. ; their blood is cold, ib. ; but very few of them at Isle Maurice, 179, 184
Tortoises, sea. plentiful at Ascension, 301
Tory opposition to Whig faction, Ixxii et seq
Tuuchings, or stations, 146
Toulouse, Ixxix
Tour, M. de la, on Antiaris Toxicaria, 264
Tourlouru, 94, 213
Tourncfortia arjcntca, 327
Touruou, Cardinal, 98
Tourtei-elles, turtle-doves, 300
Town (A) of 300 houses at the Cai)e, 275
Town-fops, 46
Trade clouds, at Ascension, 301
Trade drift, in Indian Ocean, rate of current, 141
Trade in cattle, at the Cajje, 280, 293
Trade in tea, at Batavia, 229
Trade-wind, 8, 19, 106, 111, 141, 298, 301 ; disturbances of regular, 141
Tramontana. Tramontane, 3^^, 39
Trans. Norfolk and Norvv. Nat. Soc, 45
Transit of A'^enus Expedition, to Rodriguez, Introduction, xiii. xli, 61, 70, 85, 327, 338
Transported to a rock,the adventurers, 159
Translation of "Relation de Rodrigue" 321
Translation of Leguat's work by Mis- son or Ozell, XXXV ; of Psalms, new, 283 f< seq.
Ti'ansportation, grafls, from Holland to the Cape, of French refugees, 284
Tra-tra, 328
Travados, or storms, 34
Travancore, 313
Traveller, curious, in S. Africa, 294
Travellers, in South Africa, bj^ Liv- ingstone, 280 ; whole course of author's, 304 ; of Rabbi Benjamin, Ixxsix
Treachery of Diodati, 158 ; of Valleau, 150, 151
Treasury, Venetian, 279
Treatment of slaves, 181
Treaty of Paris, 42
INDEX.
429
Trees and Plants of the Isle of Eden,
43 ; of the Banians, 67 ; of an
admirable structure, 102 ; of Isle
Maurice, 200 ct se(i. ; Venomous, of
the Island of Borneo, 262 Trees, fruit, of the Cape, 275 ; at
St. Helena, 299 Trees, xiv ; cedar, ebony, fig, plan-
tane, orange, lemon, etc., 44 ;
pepper, 65 ; rotten, 58 ; ebony,
59 ; olive, ib. ; palm, ib. ; torn
up by hurricane, 170 ; plantane,
176 Trevoux, Journal de, xxix, Ixxxi 2'richosantcs au'/uina, 175 Trictrac, game of backgammon, 104 Trigg of gun, arranged for a trap, 282 Tringa cinclu.i, 330 Trinidad, 21 Trissotins, 46 Tristan, an Ireland, 4. 27 ; Tristran
d'Anunha, 21, 26, 48; sea-elephants
of. 74 " Tristium", Liber, Ovidii. 171 Tristram, Canon, " Natural History
of the Bible", by, 76 Triton ruticulum, 179 "Triumph, Neptune's", by Ecu
Jonson, 87 Trompes d'eau, 16 Tropic bird, the, or Boatswain bird,
83. Sec Paille-en-queue Tropick of Capricorn, 21, 308 Triibner's " Oriental Series", 153 Trunks, sabarcanes, or blow-tubes,
262 Trunks of plantanes, 52 Tsar, Bieli, Belisarius, 134 Tubifora musica, 66 Tudela, Jonas of, Ixxix Turba Eruditorum, not well in-
form"d by P. Montfaucon, Pref.,
Ixxx, Ixxxv Turbans, or turban ts, 261 Turenne, Marshal. Ixxix, reunited to
Catholicism, 258 Turkeys. 77, 361; sent to Piodriguez
from Mauritius, 151 Turks, 9 Turn- broach, 55 Turnips, at Isle Rodrigo, 56 ; at St.
Helena 299 Turtle-doves at the Cape, 280 ; at St.
Helena, 300 Turtle-land, on Mascaregua Island, 43 ; on Rodriguez, 7' ; stc Tortoises Turtles, 99 ; fat of, 105 Turtle sea on Sal Island, 13 ; on Rodriguez, 72 ; on Mascaregne, 43, 179 ; see Tortoises
Turtiir picturatus, Dutch pigeon, 82,
344, 345 Tyranny, characters and censure of,
244 Tyrant, Diodati a, 171
U.
Udders, swinging, of Hottentot ■women, 292
Umbrello, allowed to a cobler, not to an ensign, 240, 241
Umbrellos, 64
Ungulates, 380
Unicorn (A), a Chimera, 279 ; horns of, ib.
Unicorn, true fourfooted, the rhi- noceros ; see Mouoceros, 279
Union of English and Scottish Par- liaments, Ixxii
Upas tree, of Java, 264
Urfe (Honore d"), author of '' Astrpca," quoted, 49
Usage, ill, and bad diet, 161 ; in- human, 165
Utrecht, xsiii, I.kI, 5 ; Dutch version published at, xxiii
V. Vacca, Flamiiiius, a poor author,
P)-ff.. Introduction, Ixxx Vache-Marine, of Pere Tachard,
figured, 28 ; of Steller, 3S3 Vacoa, 350 ; sec I'amhnus Vacoa, mats, leaves, 103, 188, 200 Vacoas I., 159 Vacquois or vacoa trees, 103, 200. See
Pundanus Valentia, on the coast of Spain, 24 Valentyn, Francois, the author, xi,
148, 151, 153, 162, 164. 198,
216, 220, 224, 267, 275 ; ^ a
clergyman, visits the Cape, 275,
360 Valleau, Master of a Frigat, xix. 5 ;
a glozing rascal, 40, 150, 151 ;
deceives the adventurers, 40, 48,
5.5, 150 Valleys, 58 Van Braam, Kaart of Mauritius liy,
146 Vandals, war with the, by Procopius,
134, 135 Van Campen, S. R., xi Van de Velde, Abraham Jlommer
148, 181 Van der Haagen, voyage of, 309 Van der Stel, Adrian, Ivi, 118 Van der Welde, lix
430
INDEX.
Vandorous, M., open boat voyage of,
liii Vaugassaj'e, Citrus van'jussaye, 175 Vanity of the world, Pref. Ixxxvi,
Ixxxvii Van Neck's voyage to Mauritius, 363,
367 Vapour from bodies of Hottentot
women, 292 Vaques, He des, 172 Vardeu's account of lions. 280 Variety, a mistranslation of Vauite,
Ixxx, Ixxxvi Varillas, 259 Varro, 288
Vartomanni Patricius, relation of, 24 Varthema, Ludovico di, Hakluyt
Society's edition of, 268 Vasco d'Acugna, isles de, 309 ; navi
gator, ib. et seq. Vasconcellos, Diogo Mendez de, 311 Vaiiboulon, M. de. Governor of
Bourbon, xix, 3 VauX; Viscount de, 70, 374. <SVe Grant Veal marrow, fat of sea-turtles like,
72 Vegetation of Diego Garcia, 67 Veils, natural, of Hottentot women,
292 Vellom, in a vial, draught of a pillar
on, 135 Velvets at Genoa, 278 Venalia, purchase of absolution, 13] Veneration of the Sun and Moon, 297 Venereal disease, 72 Venice, allusions to, 279 ; doges of,
xxix, 2.") 4. Sec Misson Venise, 38; "Nouvelles Relations de,"
xxviii Venison, at Mauritius, 177, 209 Vents Malgaches, disturbances of
regular trade-winds, 141 Venus, shells so named, 179 Venus, Transit of, expeditions to
Rodriguez for. Introduction, xli. 61,
85, 338, 345 Verd d'omeraude, see turtles, 72 Verdrain Cape, Cape de Verde, 256 Vermeulen, chart of Table Bay by, 31 Verreaux, 178 Verschafeltii, Latania, or Ilijophorhc,
52, 63 et seq. Verse, writing in verse sometimes
puts people upon Satj-r, Pref.
Ixxix Versions of Leguat's book, original
French, 137 ; Dutch, xxiii, Ixii,
Ixiii, 307 Vertebra, perforation of nuchal, of
tortoises, 376
Vertigo, after landing, 146 Vertoirann:, Lodovico, Ixvii, 268 Vertue alone makes true nobility,
130 Vertues (Royal), 244, 246 Vessel, account of a vessel cast away
near Isle Rodriqo, 150 Vessel, the, of the adventurers seized,
155 ; burnt, ib. Vessels to catch rain-water, 161 Vesuvius, crater of, visit to the, 127 Vial, inscribed vellom in. 135 Viands(Funeral) among the CMneses,
at Bataria, 256 ; viands not good
at Batavia Vicenza, collection of voyages b^', 23 Viceroi des Indes, xviii Victoria, Queen, wreck of the, xlix ;
pinnace, liii Victories at Fleurus, Steiukerk, and
Neerwiuden, 164 Victuals furnished to refugees at the
Cape, 285 ; cost nothing to Hotten- tots, 286 Vieille, 214 Vienna, specimen of white gallinula
at, 306 Vigean, a mountain in China, 249 Vignes en treilles, 228 Vigoureux, M., of St. Malo, 198 Vinuijo, 344
Vincent le Blanc, voyage of, 263 Vincent of Beauvais, 132 Vine arbours, 228 Vine-plants, sent from Mauritius to
Rodriguez, 152 Vines at the Cape, 276 ; at St. Helena,
299 ; at Mauritius, 206 Vines bear seven times in two
years at Batavia, 228 ; What at the
Cape, 276 ct seq. Violet robes of Chinese priests, 255 Virgil, ideas of, on a storm, 36 ; two
verses out of, 136 " Virginie, Paulet," by St. Pierre, 147 Virgo, constellation of, xliv Viscount de Vaux, Baron Grant, 70 Visits, trifling, 133 ; the visit of a
married Chinese to his mistress, 252 " Vit. Pontif. Ravennat," 132 Vitalianus, Pope, 158 Vitis mappia, 201 Vlissingen, Ixviii " Voiage des Hollandois", 15 Voiliers, bons, S3 Volant, le, 340
Volcano, 42, 127 ; submarine. 109 Vomica, nux, 264 Vomit of fire, 127 Von Pelzehi, Dr., 366
INDEX.
431
Vontac, Strycltnos r-ontac, 175 Voorzeilder, the, or forerunner, the
vanguard of a Dutch fleet, 271 Vosmoeri, Tcstudo, 377 Vows, for Isle Kodrign, 127 ct seq. " Voyage au Senegal", by Adanson,
IIU Voyage of M. Le Gentil, 161 ; Mr.
Beaulieu, ih. ; Delon, 39, 40 " Voyage of Leguat'", Dutch version of,
xxiii, Ixii ; English version of , 178 ;
French, xxii " Voyage of the Beagle", 66 " "^'oyage de Siam", 16, 28, 35 "Voyage, Litti'-iaire", 2^14 " Vf)vage, Phillip's, to Botany Bay",
366 " Voyage through Spain", Wil-
loughby's, 166 " Voyage to Italy", bj' Max. Missou,
xxix, 136. iSce Misson " Voyage to New South Wales",
White's, 366 " Voj'ages ti Madagascar", by Alexis
Rochon, 66 ; autour le Monde, 293 Voyages, Dampier's, 112 Voyages, collection of. by De Brj',
309 ; Harris, 161, 166, 269 " Voj'.ages et Observations dii Sieur
de la BouUaye-le-Oouz", 68 Voyages (Anonymous) to be sus- pected. Pre/. ; false voj'ages, ib. ;
character of a good voyage, Prif. ;
character of this, (7;. ; living testi- monies of what is advanced, ib.
W.
Waddinjsi'cen, wreck of shijD, 273
Wade, Sir Thos., xiii
Wagtails, 336
Walg-vogel, the, of Van Neck, 210 ;
or Walckvogel, 375 Walks of oak, at the Cape, 276 ;
wonderful fine, by canals in Batavia,
226 Walloon Church at Leyden, 148 Wane of the Moon, observance of,
289 Want relieved by Hottentots, 296 War of the League of Augsbourg, 164,
271, 272 Warbler, small, in Rodriguez, 355 Wars with the Hottentots, 295 Warwick Haven, or Grand Port,
147 Washington, U.S., Smithsonian Inst.,
xi Water, fresh, excellent in St. Helena,
299 : none at Ascension, 301
Water Hen, gigantic, 362 et scq., 369,
370 Waterhouse, Mr., lii Water, in Torrid Zone, ill-tasted, 301 ;
in Mauritius, 160 Water, sea, condensed, 301 Water-melons. 56 et seq., 108, 229 Water-quails, 209 Waves, 34, 35 ; like mountains, 94 ;
impetuous and terrible, 300 Wax-tapers in Chinese temples, 257 Weakness, strange, 174 Weather-beaten bark, 146 Weaver-bird, 45
Wedgwood's " Diet, of Eng. Etymo- logy." 93,120 Weed-sea, the, 302 Weeds, floating, 301 ; float of, 1 85, 1 SS Weeks, months or years, unknown to
natives, 295 Weepers, or Mourners, at Chinese
funerals, 255 Weight of gigantic tortoises, 376 Weimar, Mappa Mundi preserved at,
hi, 310 Weise, " The Discoveries of America,"
by A. J., 30 Weiss, " Biographie Universelle," Art.
bj^, xxiii Weltevreeden, 238 West Indies, .slavers to, put into
Table Bay, 297 Whalebone, 25 Whales, 22 ; a whale's jawbone
hung upon the wall of the palace at
St James', London, 24 ; another
jawbone kept at the Escurial. ih. ;
signification of the woni ]\'/ialc, 25 Whales, 380 ; black- back, 22 ; at
Mauritius, 209 ; spermaceti, 87 Wharton, Captain, viii Wheat, 44, 56 ; bread, 228 Wheat -corn turns to tares, 57 Wheel, Oriental slaves broken alive
on the. 182 Whiff' of tobacco, 296 W^hig, opposition to Tory, Ixxii Whipping, pimishment of, at Mauri- tius, 181 ; at the Cape, 278 Whip-staff-, 303 Whirlwinds, 15, 37, 170. 273 White Gallinula of Lord Howe's
Lsland, 366 White Prince, the Emperor of Russia,
134 White Sugar Candy, 229 White's "Journal of Voyage to N. S.
Wales", ^m Whittington (Richard), how he
made his fortune with a cat, 91
432
INDEX.
Wicked Rich People. The CJdnescs believe that wicked rich people turn to toads, and that the poor tread thera under foot, 247
Wide-awake Fair, at Ascension, 301
Wilcocke, S. H., traiLslation of Sta- vorinus' Voyages, 167, 182, ct scq., 267, 282
Wild asses, 12, 278 ; boars, 278 ; cats, 278 ; dogs, 278 ; goats, 12 ; horse, spotted, 281, 300
Wild Boars at the Cape, 278
Wild-fire, animals made of paper and, 254
Wilkinson's " Egypt", 264
William III, Ivi, J 29, 148, 272
William and Mary, King and Queen of England, 129 ; their eulogium, ib.
William of Malmesbury, 132
Willoughby quoted, 14, 15, 166
"\Mnd, favourable, 2>referied to finest woman, 139
Wind, violent gales of, 170
Winds (Trade), 19 ; regular winds at Mascaregne, 140 ; at Batavia, 226 ; furious, at the Cape of Good Hope, 272, 276 ; in Strait of Sundt, 271
Wine (Palm), wine not good at Isle Maurice, 206 ; wine of the Cape, 277 ; brought there of the Com- pany, 278, 282 ; why dear iu price, 278
AVine, Spanish, 166 ; yellowish white, ih. ; in Eden, 44
Wines, small, of Champagne, Cape wine like, 287
Wire bird, the, of St. Helena, 300
Witches, vanity of ugly, 292
Witnesses, Ixxxii ct seq.
Wives, discussion on, 121
Wives of Chinese invisible, 253
Wolf, the artist, drawings of birds by, 363
Wolves and Foxes unknown at Jam, 233
Woman, Chinese, who drowned her- self, Feast in memory of, 254
Woman is made for man, and man for woman, 125
Women, amiable objects, first seen at Black River, 147
Women {African) are very ugly at the Cape, 291 ; not true that the joint of their little finger is cut off when they remarry, 291 ; Are more noisome than their Husbands, ih. ; their figuie, 292 ; their character, ib.
Women (Mahometan) keep them- selves closely concealed, 253, 266
Women necessary, 123 ; are the most amiable half of the world, 123 ; their best i)art, 123 ; wiser than men, ih. ; theii- eulogium, 123 ; ordain'd to perpetuate the work of the Creation, 124
W^omen, proud, voluptuous, and lazy at Batavia, 240 ; formerly scarce there, ih. ; slaves in China, 253 ; Chinese women have very little feet, 253 ; Javan unfaithful to their husbands, 266
Wood scarce at the Ccq^e of Good Hope, 276 ; a large wood of young trees, ib.
Wood Island at Mauritius, 176
Woodcock, bird like a, 16; in Eden, 44
Woodcocks and Hens of Isle llo- drigo, 81 ; at the Cape, 280
Wood-hens, 370
Wood- pigeon, 44
Woodward, Dr. H., xiv ; on geogra- phical distribution of Sirenia, 379
Worcester, battle of, 51
Word, schism created by dispute on a, 131
Worship (divine) of the f'/tiiicscs, 257 ; of the Hottentots, 289
Worship, public, of Roman Catholics, disallowed at Batavia, 225
Wounds, ulcerated, healed by native simples at the Cape, 294
Wreck of American ship on Flat Is- land, Rodriguez, 327
Wreede, George Frederick, Governor of Mauritius, Ivi
Writing and reading useless to Hot- tentots, 29a
X.
Xantung, a tyrant of China, 245 Xao, a Chinese sage, 243 Xao-ti-cao, a rapacious Chinese noble- man, 248 Ximena, in the Cid, 121
Yam, species of, 152
Yao, a Chinese sage, 243
Years, months, or weeks, unknown to
natives, 295 Yellow-bird, 350 Yemam-Xilin, a Chinese philosophic
hermit, 249 Ye-vam, son of Xao ti-cao, 248
INDEX.
Your most Humble. That expres- sion for the most part signifies nothing, 266
Yule, Colonel, his Hakluyt edition of Jordanus, 264 ; Anglo-Indian Glossary, 69 ; "Hedges' Diary", ix, 153
Za.ga.je, an Indian poniard, 264 ; an African pike, 293
Zandplaat met een Klapper boom, 172
Zealand, 192
Zierickzee, in the Netherlands, con- gregation of, 283
Zochelot, the rock of exile, 190
Zoholoth. ib.
Zone, siiuthern, temperate, 21
Zone, torrid, 227, 301
Zoological Gardens, large tortoises in the, 375
Zoology of Rodriguez, Hi
Zoology, professor of, xii
Zoological Society's proceedings. Ap- pendices, B. C. D. E., passim
Zoysia puivjcns, 327
Zozo (oiseau) du pays, 350
Zuyd Ooster Haven, \AS, 162
Zwarte Rivier, 367
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