The Nevada journal., 1858-12-03
4 Visit to the Tombs Of Paul and

II ItStC ~ t"e IO"tOe " 0~b UH''
Virginia. A Romantic Story Spoiled.
The Baltimore Ameritam publishes a let
ter from correspondent on board the
U. S. steam figate Powhatan, dated
March 2S, 1883, from which we take the
annexed interesting extract:
We arrived Yesterday at Port Louis,
Island of Maurituis, and this morning,
after really good sermon from our chap
lain, Rev. Mr.. Woods, l started for
shore, and in company with some friends
took a carriage for the tombs of Paul
and Virginia. We passed through rath-
er molly part of the town, inhabited
principally by Hindoos and Chinese,
the latter being the store keepers, whose
establishments were all open notwith-
standing it was Sunday. On leaving
the town, we entered on a beautiful
drive, over fine road, and proceeded
for several miles very pleasantly. A
bout six miles from town we passed an
old Catholic church. and from its an
tique appearance were induced to alight
and went in, but the services were over,
though we amused ourselves by examin-
ing its interior. There are seYercl fine
paintings and abundance of gold in and
about the altar, but the rest of the church
was anything but fine.
After leaving the church we proceed
ed to the cemetery, where we were both
pleased and interested. Almost without
exception the tombs were ornamented
with beautiful flower vases, with some
characteristic device, and in many of
the vases were boquets of fresh fragrnt
flowers. We were struck with the at
tention paid to the resting place of the
departed-how different from many of
our own, where wessce them neglected
and going to decay. This, in all it's as
poets, looks like what it is intended,
sacred spot
After examining many of the tombs,
vaults, &C., we got into the carriage and
proceeded further on until we came to a
gate, which consisted of two posts with
a pole across, where we alighted. The
first thing that met our view was small
sign, upon which was written the words,
at is expressly forbidden to see the
tombs of Paul and Virginia" This how
ever, did not stop us. We crossed the
pole and went to house some distance
off, where we inquired for the place,
where the tombs were situated, and were
very discourteously told that they were
behind the house. We started for the
place, guided by one of the servants.
sent probably to watch us. We passed
along narrow canal-like stream of
water for about one hundred yards,
when we came to one of the tombs, (PauD
a small brick monument, about four feet
high, plastered over. Near this, the
canal turned in the shape of a horse shoe.
and on the oppo.ite size was Virginia's
tomb, in all respects similar to the other.
They are obout forty feet apart. The
| spot is romantic and beautiful one, and
could one believe the story and look up
on this spot he must have truly hard
heart not to be deeply affected by it.
We remained about half an hour at and
about the tombs, and although closely
watched, one of the party succeeded in
getting piece of mortar off and pocket
| ed it.
The archives of the government here
tell a different story from the tale written
of Paul and Virginia. 1t amounts to
this, that young Frenchman and his
sweetheart eloped and got on board a
vessel bound to this place before they
could get married Upon arriving at
the island a terrible storm arose and the
vessel was wrecked. Paul could have
saved lirginia if she had been willing
to remove her clothing, but this she re-
fused to do, and as he would not leave
her, both were drowned When last
seen on the vessel they were both clasp
ed in each others arms, and when their
bodies were found they were in the same
! position on the beach, more than half
covered with sand. Such is the story
on record, and l think by far the most
likely one.