the way that the house was originally built by a surgeon named Despeaux, and now hired by the government at twenty-five dollars per month to accommodate the English gentlemen; that it was very spacious, and had formerly lodged the ambassadors sent by Tippoo Sultaun to this island; I found it to be situate about a mile north-east from our tavern in the middle of the town, and enjoying a fresh air which, in comparison with our place of confinement, made me think it a paradise.  After the unpleasant task of selecting two rooms, which colonel Monistrol, ordered to be vacated by the officers who were in possession, he returned with me to the town; and promised at parting to speak again to the captain-general concerning my charts and books.

This little walk of a mile showed how debilitating is the want of exercise and fresh air, for it was not without the assistance of colonel Monistrol’s arm, that I was able to get through it.  Conveyances were sent in the evening for our trunks, and we took possession of our new prison with a considerable degree of pleasure; this change of situation and surrounding objects producing an exhilaration of spirits to which we had long been strangers.

CHAPTER V.

Prisoners in the Maison Despeaux or Garden Prison. 
Application to admiral Linois. 
Spy-glasses and swords taken. 
Some papers restored. 
Opinions upon the detention of the Cumberland. 
Letter of captain Baudin. 
An English squadron arrives off Mauritius:  its consequences. 
Arrival of a French officer with despatches, and observations thereon. 
Passages in the Moniteur, with remarks. 
Mr. Aken liberated. 
Arrival of cartels from India. 
Application made by the marquis Wellesley. 
Different treatment of English and French prisoners. 
Prizes brought to Mauritius in sixteen months. 
Departure of all prisoners of war. 
Permission to quit the Garden Prison. 
Astronomical observations.

[AT MAURITIUS.  GARDEN PRISON.]

APRIL 1804

We lost no time in exploring our new place of confinement, and in making acquaintance with our fellow prisoners.  These were major Shippard and Mr. W. H. Robertson, who had come from India during the peace on account of their health, and been detained; the captains Mathews, Dansey, and Loane, and Mr. McCrae of the Indian army, taken in the Admiral Aplin; and Messrs. Dale and Seymour of H. M. frigate La DeDaigneuse, who having been sent with a prize to Bombay had fallen in with the corvette Le Belier, and been brought to Mauritius.  The officers of merchant ships, at first confined in the Garden Prison, had a few days before been sent out to Flacq; and the four remaining officers of the army taken in the Aplin, were allowed, at the intercession of captain Bergeret, to dwell with their wives at a plantation in the quarter of Pamplemousses, about six miles from the port.