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80 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. IV. CHAP. IV. Visit to the Governor at Reduit.—Luxuriance of Tropical Vegetation.—Plants and Flowers from Europe and Asia. — Arrival of a Missionary from India.— Proposed Efforts for the religious Instruction of the Coolies. — Efforts on behalf of the Creole Population of Grande Riviere. — Photography in the Tropics. —Visit to Mr. Cheron at Plaines Wilhelms. — Fete of the Chil dren in the School. — Sugar Works on the Estate. — Place of Worship for the Malagasy. — Excursion to the Country. — Spice Plantations at Grande Donjon. — Preparations for the Feast of the New Year. — Permission given to bury the Skulls of English and Frenchmen fixed on Poles at Tamatave.— Visit to Beau Bassin and Wolmar. — Magnificent Species of Artocarpus.— Effects of frequent Hurricanes. — Heat of the Weather.—Preparation for a Hurricane. — Visit to the Royal Gardens at Pamplemouses. — Splendid Avenue of Palms. — Missionary Stations in the Country. — Missionary An niversary at Port Louis The Cemetery. — Fearful Ravages of the Cholera at Mauritius. — Departure for Madagascar. Ttie Governor of Mauritius, Sir J. M. Higginson, had, since my return, requested to be furnished with a statement of the more general results of our visit, and I went about this time to spend two or three days with him at Eeduit, his country residence on the borders of Plaines Wilhelms, and about seven miles from Port Louis. On arriving I received a very cordial welcome, and at dinner in the evening I met Mr. and Mrs. Eawson, Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Tupper. Mr. Eawson, whose hospitality I had already experienced at Cerne, his charming residence on the northern border of Plaines Wilhelms, was the treasurer of the colony, and Mr. Kerr the auditor-general. Mr. Tupper, an invalid clergyman, travelling for his health, was brother to the author of “ Proverbial Philosophy ” and other well-known publications. The evening passed very pleasantly, conversation being occasionally enlivened by music and sing ing. The temperature of the rooms was delightful. Eeduit