A Work of Art

Mauritius Times – 70 Years

By A. I. Cassimally

The “Album des Monuments Historiques de l’île Maurice” has appeared a few weeks ago. Compiled by Mr Pierre de Sornay, Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, Commandeur du Merite Agricole, no doubt the Album deserves to be present on the shelves of all our public libraries. The Album is no doubt a work of great historical importance and its real value will come to light more and more with the passing of time. Mr de Sornay should be congratulated on having produced this monumental work. We believe he is the only person alive in Mauritius who possesses such a vast knowledge of the historical monuments of the island and posterity will be thankful to him.

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time”

Mr de Sornay belongs to that category of man whose work is a source of inspiration to others.

The Editor never need to apologise for the “irregularité d’impression de certains paysages et monuments” due to the difficulty in reproducing “des vieilles estampes”.

To us the blurred pictures add furthermore to the charm of the Album reminding us of the serene good all days when everything was quiet and slow, when life was taken at its own tranquil pace as compared with the quick and bustling tempo we are compelled to live in this atomic age.

The Album is dedicated to the youths of Mauritius with the extremely laudable aim of reminding them of the glorious past of our country and the monuments described in this book are those recognised by the “Comité des Souvenirs Historiques” founded in June 1883 by Sir John Pope Hennessy and by the “Ancient Monuments Board” under the Sir Hilary Blood government.

Although the Album contains some one hundred and seventeen pictures, it is by no means complete, and the author himself has expressed the hope to see the work completed or even a few errors that may exist, corrected by other people. Ponder over the remark of Michelet, says Mr de Sornay: “L’Histoire est une resurrection de la vie intégrale non pas dans ses surfaces, mais dans ses organismes intérieurs et profonds.” We venture to offer a few remarks with sincerity with full knowledge that it will be accepted with the same spirit. Our desire is actually the same as Mr. de Sornay’s: to make the work more complete and perhaps more comprehensible to the uninitiated.

We would like the notes that follow each picture to be a little more complete and certainly with more dates. For example, the two pictures on the sixth page of the Album depicting the horse trough (l’Abreuvoir) date from the French period, but most assuredly the student of local history would like to know about the famous “Abreuvoir”, the following details (1) who constructed it, and (2) under whose governorship.

The next picture is that of the statue of Sir John Pope Hennessy K.C.M.G. who is described as the most popular of British governors of the colony. In this case we are glad to learn that it is the work of a Mauritian artist, Mr Maurice Loumeau, yet the period that Sir John spent in Mauritius is not stated. Nor are we informed of the dates of birth or of death of Remy Ollier, although we are told that he came after the death of Adrien d’Epinay.

Several similar examples may be quoted. Of the omissions we believe that the mosque at the Camp des Lascars – the oldest one in Mauritius having been built in 1835 – and the Jummah Mosque (1856) should have found a place each being more than one century old. Perhaps however these two buildings have not been recognised as of historical value or interest by the boards mentioned at the beginning of this review. The oldest Hindu temple which is at Triolet too we believe deserves a place.

These criticisms do not detract at all from Mr de Sornay the great merit he deserves for the monumental task.

We would like to offer congratulations to Mr Claude d’Unienville, the director of the “Mauritius Printing” for the excellent presentation, the choice of his paper and for the quality of the pictures. Mr d’Unienville, without exaggeration, has produced a work in Mauritius no one would have thought possible.

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Mauritians in Uk

Apart from one or two isolated cases such as the young man who posed himself as the prince of Baroda, Mauritians have not attracted the attention of the Londoners as crooks or parasites. But with the ever-increasing number of Mauritians who proceed to London to find jobs, there is the danger that they might start behaving in such a way as will do the reputation of this island some harm. We even know some government employees drawing hardly a few hundred rupees who have gone to London to spend their holidays. One needs at least Rs 350 to “exist” in London. Fancy the fate of someone drawing two or three hundred rupees in London!

Those who go to seek jobs think that once they land in London jobs will be waiting for them and so they arrive there almost penniless. The English authorities, welfare organisations or some kind-hearted people have to undergo a lot of trouble to help those who are stranded.

There are also several young men and women who leave Mauritius seeking admission to colleges, universities, or the nursing profession without having been previously recommended by the Education Department. They think that once they arrive in London they will somehow get admitted. This is an erroneous surmise. Almost all serious institutions will refuse to accept Mauritian candidates unless they are recommended by our educational authorities.

The following comment, made by a very reliable person about a young man in London seeking admission to a certain institution, will give you an idea of the mess many young men and women get themselves into:

“He had no money left when he called yesterday, despite having arrived in England just the day before. He told me he’d brought no funds with him, and I actually had to lend him shillings for his fare to the X Appointment Office. I’m sure it would help others traveling here independently if you would stress the importance of bringing sufficient funds for their first few weeks’ expenses. I suggest a minimum of £15 to £20. This is especially critical if they arrive, as he did, during a holiday period when finding any kind of work is nearly impossible.”

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 18 July 2025