'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎57] (78/458)

MAURITIUS OBSERVATIONS.
Ivii
hourly readings. I am very sorry that I have had such short time as to be unable to give
you a much shorter and clearer account, but if I had registers for the purpose, and the
necessary instruments, all would be right.
The cyclone experienced by the vessels mentioned has been the only one that passed the
island; it passed to the South and SW. Another passed to the N„ and NW. a few day
after, about the 28th March. In the former the wind blew from SSW. to West,-— in
the latter from ESE. to ENE.,—the ship Catherine Apea^ from Calcutta, felt it on her
way to Mauritius.
You will see that we had extraordinary shiftings of the wind on the 20th.
At Bourbon, on the 28th, there was “ un violent raz-de-maree,” accompanied by strong
gusts. At St. Paul, in the same island, there were frightful squalls from NE. The sea
suddenly became extremely violent. On the 30th the sea advanced to the Post-office. From
the 22nd to 24th the wind blew at St. Paul with violence, and the barometer went down
to 75*000. After three days of calm, the wind blew from an opposite direction; the barometer
gone up to 75*6, has not descended, on the contrary, it has continued to ascend to 76*4. On
3rd April a violent raz-de-maree still existed.
It would be highly interesting to know the weather experienced at Rodriguez, an island
peculiarly adapted for making meteorological observations, and where I hope they will soon
be commenced. I have heard that the French Government is about to send a person to
Bourbon to observe there regularly. If after that, we had a regular meteorological observatory
at Port Louis, and others at Rodriguez, the Seychelles, and Port Natal, much valuable
information might be collected. Meanwhile, the point is to have one established at Port
Louis, on which subject, as I said before, I am going to address our new Governor ; but it
would strengthen the cause very much, if your Geographical Society would make an appeal
in the same quarter.
I do not know whether I am correct in supposing that your Society publish a Journal or
Magazine, but if they do, I should be very much obliged for a copy of it, and I might
be able to make occasional contributions. The number of the Times you sent was highly
interesting both for its meteorological and educational articles. I am much interested in
education, and should like to return to India.
Your’g very sincerely,
C. Melcrum*