Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/101

Book I. mountains separated by narrow vallies. These mountains continue rising one above another from the sea coast to the middle of the island; so that in whatever view it is seen at a distance, it appears one convex surface rising out of the sea. The French took possession of it in the year 1665, and finding the soil rich, cultivated it with great assiduity; it now produces wheat, and most of the garden vegetables of Europe, as well as those of India, with many fruits peculiar to both climates: the mango, China orange, and peach, grow in great plenty, and in great perfection. But the principal object of their agriculture, and what has rendered the island of importance in their commerce, is the cultivation of the coffee-tree, of which they brought the plants from Beit-id Fakih in Arabia; and these have thriven so well, that the island now produces 2,000 tons of coffee every year. The cultivation of this tree, as well as most other services of toil, are performed by Caffre slaves brought from Africa and Madagascar. The French have a breed of horses, which, though small, are esteemed for their hardiness; and they have reared beeves, goats, sheep, and hogs, in sufficient quantities to supply the wants of the inhabitants, although not in such plenty as to furnish provision for their shipping; but this neglect seems to have arisen from the facility 'and cheapness where with these and other provisions may be procured from the western side of Madagascar, where they have settlements. Several families from France established themselves here soon after the French took possession of it, and from them are descended the present inhabitants, who are now multiplied to the number of 4,000, of which 1,000 are men capable of bearing arms: these have not degenerated from their ancestors, but on the contrary are a race so remarkable for stature and proportion, as well as for health and strength, that they equal, if not exceed in these qualities, the most athletic of the European nations. They are the only colony of Europeans established within the tropics which have preserved these advantages.

The inconveniencies arising from the want of a port at Bourbon, induced the French to take possession of Mauritius. This island extends about 45 miles in length from north to south, and about 30 from west to east. In the north-eastern quarter is a plain extending