"An Air of Perfect Elegance" – HMS Beagle off Mauritius

HMS Beagle approaches Port Louis, Mauritius, in April 1836 near the conclusion of her historic survey voyage around the world with Charles Darwin aboard.

The dramatic volcanic peaks and vibrant tropical landscape made a profound impression on Darwin, who recorded in his journal:

"From this point of view the aspect of the island equalled the expectations raised by the many well known descriptions of its beautiful scenery (...) The brilliancy of the green was the more striking remarkable because it is a colour which generally is only conspicuous from a very short distance. Out of the highly cultivated plain towards the centre of the island groups of wooded mountains arose out of the highly cultivated plain, their summits, as so commonly happens with ancient volcanic rocks were beaton out into, being jagged by the sharpest points. Masses of white clouds were collected around these pinnacles, as if merely for the sake of pleasing the stranger's eye. The whole island, with its sloping border & central mountains was adorned with an air of perfect elegance; — the scenery, if I may use such an expression, appeared to the senses harmonious."