New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-01-05

We found few singing birds IN crossing the
mountains II is said that sll the birds Of the is
and are good 10 be eaten. There are guinea hens,
turkeys. and all kinds Of domestic fowls, great
variety and abundance Of game, and, during the
rainy season immense numbers Of waterfowl and
other travellers land on the coast. There are many
rlonkeys in some parts Of the island, but We did
net meet any. As We approached the lower parts
OF the island saw groves and groves OF the bac.
qpe. These trees are planted for their leaves, OF
which the sugar-bags are made; they grow
strangely. When one or two feet from the ground,
they put out shoots which descend, rapidly taking
root, and soon are as large the principal stalk,
thus supporting il on all sides, to enable it 10 besr
the weight of its large leayes, which its primitive
slender stalk would be unable To do. The seeds,
which are about an inch and half long, of pen
tagonal shape, grow in ball as large as the head
of child year old.
As we approached Grand Port, the air grew
warm and close, like New-York in the dog-days,
and, notwithstanding the enchanting scenery, and
the su cunt of agreeable information We had re-
ceived from our Kind and intelligent companion,
we were very ready to leave the carriage for the
hospitable mansion Of Mrs. c.
The lonely heir OF this vast estate, n beautiful
boy of three years. came running to meet US, his
dinpled hands filed with roses which ne offered us
with the most winning manner possible Every
thing on this plantation was admirably arranged.
The sucrere is very large, employing about 3O0
Indians. The old immigrants are paid twelve
shillings a month, and the new ones about nine.
They live principally on rice, quantity necessary
for the week being furnished them every Sunday
morning. They do not labor on this day, except in
urgent cases. and then they are dismissed at IL
o'clock.
We saw ranges of comfortable little huts on one
part of the estate One of these decorated with
banners was considered sacred, and was devoted
Ia the remains Of the GOand that had been used
in the procession in that part Of the Island.
Formerly they used to destroy entirely the
framework, but now they are becoming imore
economical as they understand the pleasure of
amassng mOney-and keep the fame of one temple
or gound to serve for other years expending what
superfuous money they have upon the decorations.
The little Jules would not rest until the old Priest
had gwen us1 piece of the coored ising- glass,
and some Of the gold flowers that still remained.
The women followed us about, evidently enjoy
ing our admiration of what We saw. One old woman
with about hundred dollars about her neck IN all
kinds of coin, attached TO n large silver wire IKE
an Ox's bow, sent young woman to her hut tor
her ornaments She returned with armlets three
inches wide, of beautifully wrought silver, with
earrings, and nose jewels of emerads
They often carry or wear their fortunes on their
necks and arms. 1t is very rare that one
Indian robs another of his ornaments. Even the
poorest among them have very rich ones, and the
EXTREMIST misery will hardly induce them to part
with them. When they die they are bestowed as
a sacred legacy upon some member other family,
and difficult as it may sometimes be to comply
with this wish, it is never disregarded.
There is delightfully."- cool house on this estate,
formerly occupied by the proprietor. II Is 80
shaded by broad leaved trees that not ray OF
sun can enter it. 1t was much cooler in the island
in ancient times than now and the houses, although
smaller were of course more comfortable. Since
they have destroyed so many forests and lived so
much less in the open air than formerly, they suffer
much more from sickness, and any malignant dis
eases extends much more rapidly among them.
Near Grand Port is a singular mountain called,
from its resemblance to sleeping lion, " LIE Leon
Coucbe." Grand Port has all the air OF an old
town that has once been place of Importance. 1t
is very beautifully situated, open to the sea, with
the beautiful Isle de la Passe near it, where were
the barracks and forts of the French, and where
they with their small force so bravely repulsed the
English, destroying six large ships. The English
have now regiment, or part OF regiment, OF
soldiers at Grand Port. It is said that there is
larger military force on this island than on any
place of its size belonging to Great Britain. But
il is impossible to make English people of the
enthusiastic, excitable, Mauritians. In vain the
boys at the Royal College are obliged to learn their
lessons in English; in vain are the best scholars
sent to England and Scotland to perfect their edu.
cation, free of expense; in vain are regiments in
vain are laws. The English have broken one Of
the principal articles in the captulation of the Isle
Of France. That in their courts the should be
E" be permitted to speak FTencn.n Obging them
to have their causes conducted in English, is an uu
pardonable sin and all the good laws, or all the
arrangements that ms be made for their advantage
in pecunary po.nt of view, cannot blot it out
The Maurltiars still look upon France ss their
mother corntry, and the earnest longing to De once
more Reunited TO ID, is strong Swiss hOmeslck-
ness, r. y.