PREFACE by Christian le COMTE

This book as an independent publisher is the foundation-stone of a personal imprint. This enterprise is supported by a background in publishing and the expertise gained in the tourist market. Its aim is to devote resources to projects that transmit the natural and cultural heritage of Mauritius in an inviting and dedactic way with in-depth research and quality manufacturing.
  The idea of this book was conceived in the year 2000. It all started when I met, in London, my wife to be and found out that she was from this atoll called Mauritius. I had the need to discover more about this puzzling place in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
  An initial research on this newly independent colony revealed that a lot of the material about this Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French and English colony was spread all over the world. As my interest grew, a more intensive research started. Being in the publishing business, I thought, that there was a lot of injustifiably forgotten original material, since this small island seemed to have attracted in the last five centuries such diverse and fascinating people.
  Soon I found myself overwhelmed by all the stories related to the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", which were worth telling
  Combining a frienly, grabbing, new and original text with first hand quotes from historic sources and travellers and a visual support consisting of old prints, historical and modern photography and illustrations, seemed to be difficult at first. However, I thought that the only way to organise all this material, was by telling this story from the beginning, that is : Mauritius from its origin.

  Christian le COMTE publishing
  109, Willberforce Road
  London N4 2SP
  UNITED KINGDOM
  Tel : +44 (0)207 354 5646
  e-mail : books@lecomte.com.ar
  Website : http://www.christianlecomte.com