MSW Book Recommendation # 36

”Let us not underrate the value of a fact: 
  it will one day flower in a truth.”

  (Thoreau) on 'Natural History of Massachusetts' ; cite via Walls ( p. 164)

 

The Passage to Cosmos. Alexander von Humboldt and the Shaping of America. 
 By Laura Dassow Walls
 (Chicago and London, p. 2009 ; 389 p.)

 [Recommendation II / 2013]

It's so...that, I'm obliged at first say of not very comprehensively to have read this book selected. But, I've paged it very frequently during recent few year - Actually, more often than most any other from my recent readings. Suffices to say, therefore, it also to making quite direct following to (the novel) recom. on the preceding post. (Especially as both examplary authors/central historical personnels at these posts, wrote and lived on post-romantic period, early 1800s.)

Perhaps it's then also worth repeating our formerly presented regrets from not had many biographies discussed or presented at these recoms...so far. This book, at least superficially, serves also 'fill that gap' (While it's not any acutal biography and not particularly aims represent some, it naturally covers by large part Humboldt's doings and briefly describes his life from other chapters than the S.American journey, too.)

In general Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) possibly ain't too well-known a person for any modern readers (such as me, fx). Quite the contrary to that, (acc. Walls), Humboldt on his own times, was perhaps the most renown scientist in the World. Due because of his many travels and researches Humboldt become known as the person who first cartographed (w. the aid from Aimé Bonpland, his co-traveller) and made available to wider knowledge large parts of the formerly unknown areas from the S.American continent. All of those consequences were not of positive kind, probably. Yet, that also soon led for or was followed by a political and societal changes on that 'New World' (still new at the time...for the Europeans). Also from having formed close acquaintance for many american 1800s personnel (esp. usually referred is Simon Bolivar), Humboldt also played figure influential at the history from independencing of several S. American countries, at early century. (Not surprisingly seems it noted that he remained lot better remembered on during 20^th century on the S.Americas part than at the more Northern continents, with exception of his country of birth, present day Germany.)

From his wide variety of interests and pursuits for many modern scientific realms, at their early 1800s origins (or development), became known by term 'the Humboldtian sciences'. In particular he invented and improved various measuring devices for the study of the Earth (The earth's formation, volcanology and origins of mountaneous ranges,the measumerements from atmospheric change, etc., …and, his interests ranged to the plant kingdom and cultural histories, as well.). H. used methods and instruments that, within the rapid advances during that century, soon after his days already had become aged and were bypassed. Yet, in a way it's just saying that the H.'s influence to the latter century science were essential. 

Much what was in the main of the Humboldt's 'grand vision', also was perhaps beyond much of his own ages thinking; ...relating to this, Walls writes about that on several places, she fx notes on one occasion:
 

”The problem with originality is hard to hear – it is much easier to fold the truly new back into the familiar, and hear it as validation of the ready-made. To begin with, the Anglo-America, the ready-made view – almost the only permissible view – saw the universe as God's creation, unified not as Humboldt said by human perception, but by God's creative act and sustaining energy. Virtually every western scientist outside the circle of French influence operated within the assumption of natural theology, which held that the physical universe, in it's divine balance and ingenious mechanisms, revealed the nature and attributes of the God who created it. This made science, at least until Darwin, an arm of Christian religion.”(;p 235) ...for the following she then remarks it open for the interpretation what kind was specifically Humboldt's view of/from the 'spiritual overlord'(so to say...), but he certainly wasn't believer of that doctrine of the natural theology. And, of course preceding only means (of precisely) how the emergence of (modern) sciences, having passed on from the era of Rationalism, were to gain the wider acceptance, or how that (science) was justified from the earliest, how it's 'place' in the society was viewed still on begins of the 1800s.

But the book of course has lots more to tell too. Fx, that Humboldt's interests were as much about the peoples and nations than from the geologic formations and mountaneous ranges he so keenly travelled, studied and described (both represented 'the different sides of a same coin', from the same uniformity; ie the Earth). Only much of what followed in the western development (of sciences during the 19^th century) didn't follow or mostly share the Humboldt's universal humanism - that incl. his view from the equality/common origin of the races, etc. (Book has some chapters on that, so no further discussing that here.)

It's also noticeable that in spite of his post mortem 'selective neglect' (so to say...), H. did remain important source of influence (interpreted, or misinterpreted), for a personal 're-invention' by many major pre-environmentalists, having lived at latter parts of the century. ...From the N. American part, of where she traces Humboldt's influence esp., Walls lists and discusses more precisely fx Emerson (Ralph W. 1803-82), Thoreau, Susan Fenimore Cooper, John Muir, Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900 ; painter, whose late-romantic 'Rainy season in the Tropics' depicts the books cover), George Perkins Marsh. List, very briefly put, seems cover most early figures of an ecological thinking of the 19^th century. (And, also relates for the early begins of anthropology and ethnographic-sciences as well, Agassiz and Boas mentioned, no matter how separate their views, or more specifically opinions from cultures and humanity later/or soon maybe developed.) Humboldt's importance for the early (american) environmentalism, however was profound, it appers perhaps most 'compactly' expressed in the following (sentence):

”Humboldt attempted, in short, to create a counter-narrative to the drumbeat of imperial progress, and in this attempt he effectively created what we now would call an environmental discourse. His foundational assumption was that neither man nor nature can be understood in isolation.”(; p. 8.)

...Due because (Humboldt) was such a renown and cherished figure at his times (...'second most famous personnel in the century, after the Napoleon', like it seems said), there's of course loads of postume references for Humboldt's journey and from his various doings. Most renown is perhaps that famous story from some part of his (& Bonpland's) journey, at remote Amazonian village 'testing' that poisonic stuff manufactured by indians for hunting the prey (...So, I don't care to retell it here). Considering above said, more suitable anecdote is offered from that Humboldt is mentioned from only once having met Napoleon (Bonaparte, the emperor). That was soon after him had returned from that S.American travel. All of their exchange of words – allegedly – is said consisted from emperor asking 'You collect plants?', 'Yes.' (was the answer.) , 'So does my wife', sneered Napoleon. (;p. 327) ...Walls seems also to mention that the 'Napoleon of science' had been born exactly the same year as was the actual Napoleon, on 1869 - So seems it, Humboldt succeeded out-live his 'nick-namesake' by some 40 years, as the French emperor died on y. 1821. (Perhaps the plants collecting had it's benefits, after all.) ; ...Apparently, the baron (H.) probably also didn't hold too high an opinion concerning the prime representant of the 'imperial imperative' (ie Napoleon, who also had conquered Humboldt's homeyards in the meanwhile of his travels.). In that sense - along the other mentioned 'joint points' - seems H. to also have had something in common w. that other 'historical environmentalist' (person, at our preceding recom.). Sainte-Pierre, having lived quite around the same times too (he d. 1814), wasn't too fond of the emperor either (Although, he naturally also was obliged live more or less directly under the emperors dominion.; ...Bonaparte - whether or not this likewise acutal historical anecdote - seems mentioned from having continuously (often) asked St.Pierre 'when shall we expect more of the Paul & Virginies and Indian Cottages ?' (Perhaps his wife was devoted reader for those too...)

Anyhow, part of Humboldt's legend probably did gain from his apparently excellent health. In during the times when people generally faced large possibility from the early grave, he managed live for a prosperous old-ages. Of course, he likely benefited from had been born on aristocratic family, but he also rarely seems fell to more seriously illnesses, even. (Additionally, also succeeded fx travelling criss-cross the Northern parts from S.Americas and apparently avoided any serious fevers, or mostly at least, while by that time malaria must have already been established on those regions. Many of his journeys, though, took place on the mountaneous parts, but H., and Bonpland, also are credited from having founded and mapped parts from Amazons rivers.)

Conclusively, in brief, as my own familiarity from the Humboldtian 'legacy' is very limited, I only notice that sometimes his writings yet seem 'echo' also the conventional thinking; He fx typically uses terms 'civilized' and 'barbarians'/or, the 'savage races', as opposites (or, dichotomies if you prefer the scientific jargon...). Rather typical within the manner dominating most from the 19^th-centurian cultural discourse. The use of terms apparently appears quite implicit, and one needs not pay any especial attention for that, even while those by now feel like quite valuing apprehensions, from definition. 
(...In fact, feels to me Humboldt is on his weakest there, just due because he is appears - at that - devoid of his usual personal obervations, or 'data' of his own - so precious to his other main fields of interest, and, is forced rely on the concepts developed by other people/bourgeoise scientists. But then it's also quite noticeable how he finds on the same paragraphs – completely contrasting the dominating, or prevailed opinions of the 1800s historism  – that majority from those 'savages' seem being actually agriculturalists. ; Precisely, most of these 'hordes (of savages) ...are probably descendants of nations highly advanced in cultivation.'; on 'Personal narrative...', Vol 1. ;Chapter IX). Glancing backwards, it took some 150 years for the main 'western' (/imperial hegemonist by origin) mainstream sciences for to be able from reach the same understanding about that (aspect). So, I guess, the view also expresses, probably, as much 'equalism' that is probably possible to find from most any 19^th-centurian, European cultural theoretist text / or, at cultural historist writing of that time.

 

...Maybe also worth noticing that in spite of how sharp was the Humboldt's view for the past, or vision from futures, also perhaps how high hopes about the development of the republics he might've had, course of history soon shifted away of that kind 'romantic idealism' (on early 1800s that probably was 'in the mainstream', for sometime. Soon, leading to emphasizing what afterwards has (usually) become synonymous with the word nowadays from rather 'mostrous connotations', the progress (identified, at the time for the imperialism). So likely it's also justified noticed that ”Humboldt's ideas and ideals thus played into a very different history than the one he had foreseen.” (;Walls, p. 146.)

...Otherways, and no question from that, Humboldt's writing more often than not shows clearly from him having sympathised and of having developed that idea (of his) about 'equality of man-kind', in direct closeness within the Natures. ...On an era when race-theories generally widely were cultivated, when the slavery-system (fx) only had been briefly abandoned (...and not yet quite widely or universally, even. As an integratal part from the sociel practices it still kept firm, lasted well later, besides).  In that sense, I think, his envisage (ie 'Humboldt's cosmos') also indeed was probably more universal, ground-breaking a view – If he is fx compared to many later more famous, (claimedly) 'great liberal' authors, writers, or politicians, (and scientiststs), from his times. Liberals only, or only partly so, due from because of their more later 'uplift' at the historical memory.

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Further reading:

The Humboldt Current: Nineteenth-Century Explorations and the Roots of American Environmentalism.  - Book by Sachs, Aaron.(2006) 
 

; Walls describes this (book) well-worth viewing, esp. the opening chapters ...though I've not read it. ...She also notes that '...for all his world importance, not one single, authoritative, modern, critical biography of Humboldt exist in the English language.'(;p. 326). ...Of course, there might be, by now. / And, additionally to mention, there is an Ocean-current named after Humboldt (who first discovered it passing closer the S.American West coast at Pacific, adjacent from the Andes.)

Measuring the World (2005).  - A novel by Daniel Kehlmann.

; ...So I read this for the 'easier alternative'. About Humboldt (and Carl Friedrich Gauss, 1779-1855, mathematician and astronomer) Enjoyable book.

Personal Narrative of travels to the equinoctial regions of America, During the years 1799-1804. - by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland. (7 vols, 6 books. p. 1814-9/ 1852)

; ...for the 'enthusiasts'. …Seems it fx described that (often) Humboldt's writings make quite exhaustive reading from the modern view-point, as his style of writing was to combine his observations for a (very detailed) record from the observed phenomena. Textually, kind of an exact, carefully kept 'scientitic journal' written for a 'romantic treatise' (about those travels) ; ...But, his topics of interest range within so wide variety of aspects that any modern scientist would probably find too exhausting; the geomorphism and volcanology, the early history of the mankind, outer spaces/meteors and atmospheric constituents, the races and men, the plants and topography, the colonial regions and cartography... But (I think it, also makes) actually very enchanting reading (at least on the parts I've viewed), just due because Humboldt  - unlike any modern environmental authors, who 'frame' their sophisticated topics/carefully researched facts and data (; also, in the worst cases, w. rather monotonous tone), for an adequate amount of jokes and personal humours (to lighten it a bit) – Not anything from that kind on Humboldt. He doesn't waste a sentence for such 'pleasing' of (his) readers; With some self-evident (self-justified) romanticist relation to this subject of his study ('The world', I guess...), narrative from the journey is just as extensive as are his remarks about his various measurements and observation. Sometimes it's difficult to say, whether he feels more in common with (his) beloved rocks and stones (...gneiss, granite, porphyries, 'mica-slates', pearlstone, 'mixtures of augmite and feldspar', obsidian and Lydian-stone, ...and additional volcanic substances...) than towards his travel-companion(s), or for the humanity in general, but one gets the impression there's not ever reasons from to suspect his honesty. (Likely, the books also probably more accessible reading than many from Humboldt's other texts, that consist less from those travels and more 'purely' from his science findings.)

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MSW Book recommendation #35

”For the romantics, mountains, clouds, the sea, thunder and lightning, forests and wild animals had all, like islands, had become objects of idealisation and preoccupation, representing elements in the human condition threatened or alienated by the increasingly complex pressures on the individual imposed by European society. In their discourses a very firm differentation became established between the European urban world and the 'other' of the tropical world, integral to which was the adoption of a whole new series of natural symbols or preoccupations. But the most important of these was the island. The direct influence of Defoe in effecting this kind of transition, particularly through Rousseau and his disciple Bernardin de Sainte-Pierre, should not be underestimated. 
[…] However, in transferring the concept of either social or natural Utopia to Mauritius there were glaring differences to be tackled. Far from being a Utopia, the colony was a slave state of 18,000 blacks and 2,000 Europeans.” ^1.

”Human misery always increases in the same degree as men are dependant.” - Bernardin de Sainte-Pierre^2.

Paul and Virginie
by Sainte-Pierre, Bernardin de [Jacques-Henri]
p. 1804 

(..likely novel was published by earlier timing on French ; 1790s?)

[Recommendation I / 2013]

...From this (fiction) book selected for this sequel on our series, little explanations are presented on begins. Why/how I came to select just this particular novel wasn't too much forethought decicion, while it now feels for the most logical and good choice to represent at these recoms.

(The) original intention on (this) recom was to select book by (some) N.American author from 1800s, for to represent some alternative for the several European writers of that century we've already presented here. However, none very proper example seemed to  surface for my liking. So, I then viewed that (probably quite a lot read, 1990s) essay by Toni Morrison; Playing in the dark. Whiteness and the literary imagination, as some guidance to this topic. Morrison writes on that, ao, about the 'characterization' of americanized/africanized personnels at the texts from 19^th and 20^th centurian american literature. So there's references for books of many recognized/famous authors, like fx Herman Melville [1819-91], Nathaniel Hawthorne [1804-1864], etc. From Hawthorne's books I then first happened read some collections of the ghost/horror-stories (didn't find interest to those). Then I also paged Melville's Typee (A peep in the Polynesian life, p. 1842, ?), and it seemed like a good selection for consideration – but - then I yet opinioned there already having been (somewhat) these Polynesian tales on our former Stevenson recom. (Melville's Moby Dick (p. 1851, ?) would also have made a good candidate though for it certainly belongs for some of my favorite readings.)

...Yet, not very satisfied for any of the above mentioned (and, as I was also at the time reading this book by Grove from the early emergence of the ”island environmentalism”), my choice was finally 'settled' on this famous 'blockbuster' of the romantic fiction, by 18^th century french author Bernardin de Sainte-Pierre. In short, Paul and Virginie seems remembered as the book which probably (quite influensively) Rousseau's [Jean-Jaques, 1712-78] views and ideas to the home education of upper/middle-class children (...along w. the writings of Rousseau, of course. Also seems it said been widely read at GB and on much of the other North European countries at it's own times). Nowadays, I guess, the book survives as bit less appreciated 'cultural landmark' than those somewhat more 'educative' writings of Rousseau (fx, Emile, 1762 and La Nouvelle Héloise, p. 1761). But the book's always been popular, some minor classic at least.

The author.

Sainte-Pierre (1737-1814) was on his own times very renown writer (and adventurer), if not quite comparable a figure to some nowadays far better remembered (fiction) authors, like fx Balzac or Dumas. However, the fame of the Sainte-Pierre rests mostly on this particular piece of fiction. It's an emotionally 'fueled' romantic story, situated at the island on the tropics (Mauritius in this case, known by name/described in the book as the 'Isle de France', for the place was French colony around the time books been written). 
 

Sainte-Pierre was considered, in his own times, also for some personnel of naturalist authority. Fx, from 1792 onwards he held the title of the superindendent on Jardin des Plantes, the royal botanical garden on Paris (following on that post Comte de Buffon [1707-1788], who was the first beholder of that title.) The opinions about how 'merited' scientific esteem of Sainte-Pierre should have been held maybe varied³., but, anyhow due from recognized as widely renown figure and author, Sainte-Pierre was elected for the mentioned post on his older days. (The time of revolution is said at first turned for his disfavor, at least temporarily him losing that position...but anyhow, seems managed have survive that period, differing from many of his contemporary intellectuels.). 

 

Along with some now (mosly) forgotten fiction (The Indian cottage, perhaps best renown of his other fiction), Sainte-Pierre seems also have written various naturalist books, fx Etudes ('Studies of Nature', 1796) and the Voyage to the isle of France, the latter being travel-story from his time of stay at the island.; Actually, seems it also that he originally had planed only for brief stay at Mauritius, and then continue to Madagascar – for to experiment there with his ideas about establishing some ”freemen state” (or, smtgh like antiroyalistic, democratically maintained economy/colony); but, after having found about his travel-companions (in contrast) aims from to participating at the slave trades instead, he left off the ship for remain Mauritius to somewhat longer stay (at least acc. the histories of this, although I've not fx read his memoir about the journey). 
 

Like noted, Sainte-Pierre also was proponent of thinking, or the ideas, first presented by Rousseau. ; ...Although, how much they had actual exchange of ideas between each other seems always been of slight uncertainty/matter of opinion. Even before that he was already lot influenced by Rousseau's ideas; There's on this book fx descriptions favorable to/ views pro the unaltered Natures (vs man-modified landscapes); Likewise there's (hints of) the early democratic ideals on some parts of the novel, and, also about (Sainte-Pierre's) opposition for slavery. Main theme - basically put – is from general belief about modern society's depravating effect for the individual. And, some admirations towards the simpler 'savage life' (or, for 'natural education') are presented in comparison. Of course, Rousseau's theories were much on the backgrounds for various many romantic authors and their texts (...and, during the French revolution Rousseau's actually mentioned of been the most widely favored philosopher, his portraits fx were carried around by the revolting crowds.)

'The Island'.

Before the French arrived for, or gained control from the island (of Mauritius) around early from 1700s, place belonged before that to the Dutch imperial colonies. Around early 1800s island's ownership moved for the British⁴. Prior 1700s, the earlier colonizers (Dutch,  and neither the Portuguese, actually the first European sailors arriving and first to 'alter' the islands original ecology more significantly) - had not based any (larger) permanent settlements. However, for sure already during the Dutch ownership there was heavy uses from the islands timber sources⁵ (as those also were used for the needs of their colony at the Cape). Viewed from purely of it's ecological consequences, the European imperialistic expansion to those many Oceanic pelagics, (Mauritius, ao) lead for serious disturbance and conversion from the ecologys at those 'Lost paradises'. (Actually St. Helena island(s) and also fx Madeira, latter mentioned situating also on Atlantic Ocean, are often noticed main examples from the more severe and permanent destruction for the original island ecology. No doubt, the sugarcane cultivations, which was begun/spread for many tropical pelagics, largely affected on that.) 
 

Much as presented in the view of the (paragraphs) quoted on begins of this recom, the view about these isles as some 'Edenic gardens' made tropics also a important source in the romantic imagination (This also originated from various paradise myths et similar. There's fx similar imaginery paradises been thought from exist at many places elsewhere around the Globe, at the middle from Arctic/Antarctica, in the Center from Earth, Shangri-La, Atlantis, etc...) Yet, the tropical island (as  some paradise utopia) had the downsides, by some part. Still around the 1700s/1800s (and perhaps later) it was also (widely) believed that the tropical suns might turn for unfavourable blessing to the Europeans. It was fx (quite) general belief among Europeans, that tropical heats, might affect for their their biological traits (fx it was believed that the skin color could darken in few generations, still presented as a belief at the Buffons natural histories, et similar. That also was accompanied with fears from the degeneration of the race, resultatively. None of this kind of views perhaps played part at any everyday life/tasks, but them were, likely, considered as possibilities, still.) This, along the resembling racial prejudices⁶, had a longer history from beliefs at it's backgrounds. For those also belonged fx some actual reasons, fx fears of the tropical diseases, as the colonizers unaccostumed to those climates, were known for more vulnerable to. (Also the Europeans naturally were more vulnerable for the exposure to tropical heat than the native inhabitants.) 

 

...So many fictional stories also often presented/expressed the theme from tropics as (some kind of) challenge to the colonizers. It seems said of been typical on various cultural works on those past centuries; Along with the Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, Shakespeare's Tempest (1611) seems mentioned for the most renown example. (Prospero's island actually situates on some unknown place at the Mediterranean, but often via/because from it's context the play seems been interpreted for obvious symbol for the 'New World'. It's plot also contains fx incidents relating for the survival at tropical island, and, (fx acc. Grove) at the play ”...even social debates are overshadowed by the physical predicament and the dangers involved in surviving on alien land.”, ...the mentioned comprising fx from drought, disease and the native peoples.) These of course are some from most renown or widely read literatures, most other usual travel-tales and fictional writings appeared merely as descriptive narratives. 
 

Ecologically (/of ecological consequences), Mauritius's is perhaps best renown from because of the Dodo, that famous extinct flightless bird, later been seen as (/brought for, sort of) early symbol about the mans destructive effect towards the Natures. Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), bird relative to species of pigeon, disappeared already at the 1600s (usually assumed timing seems place that around 1680s). Relative soon after it's fate also become more widely popularized - Not the least due because of Buffon's book about the tropical birds.

However, reader of the ecological history soon learns that Dodo only marks some 'tip of an iceberg'. In fact – even if it's extinction happened quite rapidly – only foreshadows the larger ecological side-effects/consequences of that expansion of the European imperialism to many (mostly not formerly inhabited) Ocean pelagics. (At the Mauritius's endemic birds there's likely several comparable examples, but I've not viewed that more specifically from any conservation literature/histories.) More generally, or as usual in case of the various pelagics, on Mauritius several human introduced species were brought by the earliest settlers, and also (probably) some might've arrived via from shipwrecks as the accidental passer-bys - Sainte-pierre actually seems describe in the novel some of island's coastal regions been filled with variety of wrecks from the ships. The list from (usual) invasive species contains the goats, dogs, rats, pigs, javanese deer, fx. ...Also, some endemic species seem (probably) gone to oblivion - due of the introduced, 'semi-domestic' animals - even before them were been described/recognized (and now appear only known from fossilous remains).

Yet, perhaps of that ecological disturbance the extinction of the large land tortoises is most descriptive. (Probably) it's not known too well when the endemic tortoises from island might've became disappeared, probably around mid 1600s already⁷(Tortoise-meat, or 'Mutton' like it was popularly known, was used as 'food-storages' on sailing ships. As the Mauritius was on popular transport (trade-) routes, the practice from taking them to foodstock on ships was common ...as long as there was something to catch. That might feel been somewhat detestable or disgusting practices, from our modern times view-points (As the tortoises were kept alive on ships but not feeded, the reptiles low-metabolic rate keeping them alive and unspoilt...until them were slaughtered sometime along journeys). But, at that time voyages on ships also were time-consuming and lack of food commonly threatened in case it was fx erred to sail off the course. In brief ; As long as it would have been on sustained level - what that of course never was, the tortoises being slow-breeding species - any modern uses of catching wild animal species for commercial purposes, to  foods, pets, whatsover, doesn't make much less detestable practices.

From w. the early 1700s also various side-effects from that more permanent habitation were becoming noticable. At many tropical isles sugar-cane farming had been started along with regular farming practices. Basically each new practice brought the further earlier deforestation, and the 'God given Eden' was ever more ecologically nourished. However (like quite extensively described at Grove's book) the botanical gardening (practices) also had been started from quite early, already since the Dutch occupation of island. That also from rather had postive aspects, fx some forest protection purposes. It's also said that the network of the botanical gardens established by the Dutch  then later benefited the efforts of French and British naturalists at those Ocean pelagics. Also some conservationist practices were fx sometimes more effectively regulated along with the observations/increased knowledge about the vulnerability of tropical soils and the forest loss. At first, however, fx the cultivation/building of botanical gardens grew along with the maintained orchards et similar, the actual original 'gimmick' been collecting the rarities, not from any actual conservationist ideas. (Much in the way than fx at that famous story from Captain Cooks journey to Tahiti, the early motivation was from the competition at gathering and acquiring the exotic plants, spices, ao.) 
 

In time the early 'naturalists' ideas lead also for some new climatic knowledge and exchange of those ideas permitted some development of the early conservationist ideas, (occasionally) even resulted for (some) forest protection acts. Notwithstanding that, mostly the maintained regulations for to limit forest destruction at tropical isles araised of the practical purposes, fx usually forest conservation was argumented from that it was important guarantee timber supply to increasing imperial needs of shipbuilding in the future (...so it's fx mentioned that during naval wars of the 1740s the forest destruction at island increased significantly.)

 

(Like also noted above) as there wasn't any actually modern (/established) conservationist practices during those (colonial) times and any environmentalistic practices (at Mauritius as well as elsewhere) had to be argumented by other reasons. At the development from the earliest real restrictions to forest clearance on Mauritius, (acc. Grove) the essential personnel were commissaire-intendent Pierre Poivre (1719-86), Philippe Commerson (-1773), and Bernardin De Sainte-Pierre (...during the time from his stay there). As Mauritius was some remote island, ”in the middle of nowhere” of Indian Ocean, the 'Ancien regime' - ie political and social system of France before the revolution of 1789' - was also somewhat more relaxed on those conditions. For some preceded influence, at least for Poivre – most influential for that early emerged conservationism – were also the 1700s economic theories by physiocrats⁸. The timing when the early ecological ideas originated/were put on practice (at Mauritius) seems said been around the late 1760 to 1770s. (; Also, it's perhaps possible notice that the times from (ca) 1780-1815 are usually described seen quite much liberalization from ideas and views; And, there was various important historical happenings, fx the French revolution 1789, the Haitian independence/slave revolt leading to that (on 1792-1804), some S.American colonies bacoming indepedent, emergence of the romanticism at arts and on the Deutch philosophy, etc ..And, also these described early beginnings, or early birth of the 'modern environmentalism'.) 
 

Seems it also said, that the impact was at first (relative) limited, even though some of the forest protection policies (et similar) are said remained on uses after the British had annexed island at the turn of 1800s. But, the deforestation then also further spread to the inner parts of the island during some followed decades. In spite of that seems it say that early environmentalism probably prevented larger destruction from taking places (; Fx, there was more severe ecological disturbance as consequencess on some other tropical colonies⁹.)

(...Probably much else would be possible to combine of these thing, but, as my knowledge is mostly on basis of this singular book of the 'empirial environmentalism' on tropical colonies (isles), the preceded paragraph(s) meant comprise some brief abbreviations of that part. There's lot interesting parallels on that to be seen w. the present day; (Fx), if wish compare that for any modern discussions about global deforestation...There's (easily) noticeable similarities: Fx that purpose from acquisition of the 'luxurious goods' driving the deforestation, or, also in the gradual enlargement of the plantations. And, also in that the main conservation policies usually had to be argumented/necessited by the view-point of the economic reasons: Ie, in that the failing to put the conservative efforts on effect would - as the logical outcome - would in time have lead in the scarcity from timber resources, economic losses, etc. (; And, there's of course lots more about all that in this singular book we've here referred, occasionally but often. The early emergence of understanding from the effects of tropical deforestation for the tropical islands climates/precipitation, actually makes the main themes on that book.)

The novel.

This romantic fiction presented (on this novel by Sainte-Pierre) appears tied, at least loosely, for the actual historical timing and details. In the early part of the book narrator mentions from incidents at 1738, said to situate on time three years after arrival of Monsier de la Bourdonnais for governor on colony of Mauritius (Isle de France). Bourdonnais (/or, Labourdonnais) was indeed an actual historical person and appears on story's characters too (...Also, it's perhaps interesting mention that on Grove seems it say the followed decade having seen the increase from escalating forests/lands uses at the island.) However, like was also mentioned on the above discussed, already Dutch colonial period had brought various disruptions to the island's original/'pristine' ecology. Also, Sainte-Pierre wasn't even first observer to pay attention on extinctions¹⁰ of some from the endemic species at island ...or, elsewhere from tropical pelagics. 
 

Romantic plot in the novel is of course in the main central theme. Any 'glimpses' from the surrounding Nature, and 'the landscape appreciations', offer just certain frames for that. Nature, or the views concerning it's nourishment appear presented (mostly) as (minor) themes within plot. The natural environment, more or less, is still present throughout the book, even as subordinate for the social romantique. Book also is filled with much sensualism and exaggerated tones, melodramatization of feelings (strenuosly so, sometimes) all those typical for the romantic fiction. Yet, there's fx some more philosophical parts told via the books 'secondary narrator' ...Actually, those comptemplations are among the best sequels of it, containing also some social critique.) The 'secondary narrator' is a character from an older personnel living at island, who actually tells the story about Paul and Virginie for the book's 'real' narrator; The reader can't possibly avoid from thinking that figure as the alter ego for author himself, Sainte-Pierre...albeit that is not necessary, though. (Feels it yet, somehow, also quite modern narrational solution on an old novel like this.)

Romanticism is usually considered a literature period/time when the lyric flourished, but (also my opinion) novels often (not always though) represent rather boring reads. In comparison - and for the books merit - it seems avoids most caveats of that kind. Story is quite good, and it has compact plot. From the characters most obvious is, perhaps, how 'shallow' them appear in comparison for some later (19^th centurian) realistic fiction books. But they are still (quite) multisided group in overall, not just some gallery of characterizations. It could be also noted that this 'native pastoral' takes place within the limits of European societal practices of that time, and not really goes too far on challenging those. So, fx the slave-servants (/or freed slaves, described in the novel from have gained their freedom) in servitude of the main characters families could also be described for some stereotypes of the 'africanised personnels' (to loan that term used by Morrison). Them not actually are developed as any active characters on the novel. Most of that direct social critique is presented in form of the 'Rousseauism', whose main ideas (/ideals) are embed everywhere for the story.

(...”Psychopathologically” could also, perhaps, be argumented that the story about these love childs in their paradisian environments is from 'going Natures' and not 'going native' - and the psychologic interpretations of the novels thematics likely emphasizing also aspects of them lacking some dominant patriarchal figure/father in the 'natural romantic' love story; The both kids in the story are raised by their mothers. In that sense, it could interpret for some 'social revolutionarism'-story mostly (and not the romantic pastoral, from the main theme); But, as the psychology was invented only about century later than this novel written, I think the interpretation sounds just some...psychologizing.)

Like said, makes it still quite a fascinating story. It's also perhaps very logical that the main height of the story-plot is tied for those mentioned wreckages on the shoresides of island. (Like proper from the romantic fiction, whole story also begins from admiring views of those and seascapes). Much of the book's popularity on 1800s (and afterwards) was probably due from that powerful emotional languages and that the tension on the novel is tied for the themes of social critique (/and Rousseaun themes). But it's a skillfully written story too, and has probably lasted so well past the centuries just due because it reaches – on some parts at least – also surprisingly realistic tones. At some parts.


Finally, I just notice it also having quite much resemblance w. the modern romantic TV-fiction (...w. similar environments, dramatizations etc. Only that, it's far better and less overwhelmed than any 'cheap entertative'. Basically, most usual tv-romantique even today lot borrows from classics of it's kind. Only that, on those tv-series it is not aimed for similarly emotional authenthism, from any level.) Also remember those references earlier in this text about the origins of that (falsified) image from the tropical isles/environments as some 'lost paradises'...falsified in the sense that it lacks pay any respects for that the disappearance of that ecology is simultaneous within it's imagined (/sensualized?) occupations. (;W-G.)

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Notes:

1. Grove, Green Imperialism. Colonial expansion, tropical island Edens and the origins of Environmentalism 1600-1860 (p. 1994 ; p. 235; 243)

2. (from) Voyage to the Isle of France, the Isle of Bourbon and the Cape of Good Hope with observations and reflections upon Nature and Mankind. [...The English transl. is from 1800, but text seems mentioned written during the time of the 'old regime', at the 1770s. However, quoted sentence originates from 1768 letter at begins of the book, written shortly after his arrival to island; He compares the French peasants for the (situation) of the slaves on colonies at that. Isle of Bourbon is the earlier name for Réunion (-island).]

3. ...Fx, Theory of Tidens (1795) about the high/low tides on Oceans, assumed (that phenomenom) to result from changes on the polar ice(-sheets), but the view was commonly seen as erraneous (; Not many, or the major part from naturalists even on his own times believed for that for any valid explanation. ; The assumption that the tides were caused by Moon-Earth (-gravitational fields) was already presented on that time (...fx, Kepler had believed so already for than a century and half earlier...but I've not any general idea from how commonly this was known prior the Newtonian law(s) of gravitation).

4. Ie, the French ownership on the island having lasted from between years 1716 to 1791. (...Seems it also mentioned the Arabs already prior that possibly might have had some limited uses of the island and it's forests. Also, it's as well assumed the pirates (possibly) might've used place as the base during on the earliest phases from the Indian Ocean trade, meaning therefore sometime prior/around the year 1500 (; Grove, p 129-130). For some comparison (of the long-term human effects on island ecology) it is perhaps noticeable that on the Galapagos(-islands), also heavily disturbed from the original ecology, earliest permanent settlement are said have begun just since from 1830s.

5. There's actually little mention of that deforestation in the novel.; However, there's that famous chapter where Paul establishes fruit garden to the nearby forest on island, and cultivates it 'not too far from the designs of Nature.' ...On basis of those paragraphs feels it difficult guess which from the tree (-species) belong to the original tree-cover (species natively growing there), and which represent the planted/cultivated some. Anyway, many (of the following) seem represent species which naturally do grow at equatorial range; fx ”lemon, orange and tamarind trees”, also (he's on that described to sow) ”Agathis, ...Persian lilac, ...and pappaw tree(s)”, and, also seed and kernels (of) ”gum tree ... mango, alligator pear, guava, the bread-fruit tree” (were) '...planted by him with profusion'.;

...The island's lowland tree cover is said (from have, by earliest) become under larger deforestation since from the early 1600s, major/most harvest (probably) was for the Ebony (Diospyro-spec.), durable and valued 'hardwood' even today;  Artefacts of it were commonly manufactured at the time. Possibly (some /lot) of local genera from islands Ebony was completely levelled and disappeared due that, albeit I've not viewed from that of anymore specifically. ...Anyhow, in the modern tropical deforestation Ebony is listed for the most significantly threatened tropical trees/timber; the illegal loggings having made it scarce on the nearby Madagascar and at continental areas.)

6. ...Reader who'd wish think these topics as somehow separate histories, maybe (might) feel disturbed that we at this refer for those racial views without particularly /more precisely discussing that. Lenghty historical past of the slave-market is quite common knowledge, however commonity of the racism and racial attitudes at the European colonialistic pasts is surprisingly less generally recognized (...aspect). These (racism/slave trades, fx) weren't exceptionally or solely European practices, of course. But, along the colonialistic expansion, both 'practices' necessarily emerged for to have inseparable and influential role at the global worldhistory (...various contemporary researches also have traced the origins and roots from that at many studies). ; Anyway, fx on a large part from the 19^th century writing (...of fiction, science-, politics, etc) racistic terminology and views appear generally so common that people often seem just routinely bypass those views, as some typicalities of the past times. - Actually I've sometimes felt that encountering an old 1800s book of natural history lacking some 'categorizations' concerning races, or expressing some 'race-theories' makes it rather unconventional example. (More usual and renown are perhaps those educative openly racistic images on old old school books, that persisted for somewhat more recent eras, at least until early from 20^st century.) Often it's even so that the more 'educated' 19th centurian writer one may read, the more self-evident seems that usage of from racistic hierarchies. (...Fx I remember how embarrassed I felt when reading those very enthusiastic and interesting descriptions about tropical natures by Wallace [Arthur Russell, 1823-1913; ...his book presented earlier on these recoms] ...along with the quite common and seemingly self-evident usage from term 'lower races'.)  At fiction similar racial views and terms are often somewhat less explicitly used, perhaps, albeit examples of the opposite kind aren't rare at all, either. If vieving - w. that as some 'criteria' - fx Melville's Typee, or this recommended book by Sainte-Pierre, both would show from their author's to quite unprejudiced compared towards some standards of their times. Not any singular example can be generalized neither, of course. 

This becomes even more apparent from noticing that 'race', as any meaningful scientific term is generally abandoned, nowadays. But it was held as firm scientific category, and for that also a valid term, by the most 18^th or 19^th centurian thinkers. So, on cases one fx might notice how many advocates of 'newly' emerged social ideas - favoring anti-slavery or the democratic opinions, fx – might yet have held race as the usable category and rarely, if ever, actually been questioning it's meaningfulness as the biological, or cultural category.  (A very short view) from the history of the term /'terming' race as some hierarchially used category, seems show it having become established in the early naturalism already well before 19^th century. Buffon (already at the 18^th century) did present the hierarchised view of the races on his Natural histories (;'Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière', btw 1749-88. - Albeit, seems it also said he not constructed it for any biological category, believing at the common origin of all races; And, not prior the emergence of Darwin's evolutionary theory - which Buffon actually anticipated on his times - did 'race' become used/believed from to have any similar uses as the biological category, like was the case postward that, and the (so called) scientific racism.) ; In spite of that, also fx Linné's [Carolus von, 1701-78] famous system of scientific nomenclature contained the linear constructions to the Natures classification, and, represented the (human) races via similarly 'linear hierarchies'; Also, Lamarck's [Jean Baptiste, 1744-1829; L. was Buffon's pupil.] theories about inheritance of the acquired traits explained the species (and races) -relations via from the increasing complexity from the 'higher' towards the 'less complex'. (Also believing that the changes on the species took place via slow environmental adaptations at the following generations, Lamarck - unlike Darwin - fx, didn't believe in the shared ancestry of all living species. His view generally was proven false and abandoned within evolutionary theory, but it did influence (along several other views having preceded) Darwin when he was combining his evolutionary theory, too. (Later on lamarckism remained somewhat influential, and misapprehensed it had effect on the early 20^th century nazi-theories, fx.) ...Or, about so and howsoever of more precisely...

7. Grove (; p. 146; 150.) Later on, perhaps around the y. 1700s some regulations for limiting that hunt were put on effect.  Couldn't prevent the disappearance (of larger species from the turtles.) ...(Acc. Grove) there seems also later been some efforts for to translocate tortoises from Seychelles to Mauritius around 1740s. But, until 1790s that 'stock' had also become extirpated. (On Seychelles, to the contrary, the endemic population from land tortoises didn't die out – and that seems said leaving the Aldabra's giant Tortoise as a sole (larger) land turtle species surviving on the Indian Ocean pegagics. Largely this is said due from because the last mentioned place was remote enough from usual ship-routes. At Galapagos-islands the happenigs went quite similarly, although there still remains number of extant species, too.)

 8. Physiocrat (Acc. Websters, 1994) is ”One of social school of political economists who follow Quesnay [Francois, 1694-1774] in holding that an inherent natural order properly governs society, regarding land as the basis of wealth and taxation, and advocating a laissez-faire economy.” - Seems it is also that main difference to modern (economic) views was that Physiocrats considered only agricultural labor valuable, the production (and sales) of the goods weren't considered to add for national income. In other words: ”The prestige of the physiocrats created and fostered the seminal idea that the prosperity of its rural workers was necessary to a nation and that 'agriculture' (a new word which began to appear in the French language) was something which could be improved and transformed by human progress. But physiocracy was hostile to the mercantilist emphasis on the accumulation of bullion ('capital' in more modern parlance) and laid stress instead on the value of an efficiently working agricultural economy. This encouraged the growth of agricultural associations […], and after 1755 these associations sprang up almost everywhere in France at the rate of several a year.” ; ...About the restless post-revolution times, having followed soon after, seems it also said that ”While the Revolution meant that the direction of Physiocratic colonial conservation policy was lost in France it was not lost on Mauritius.” (Grove, p. 189-190 ; 259) ; ...The basic idea and novelty on backgrounds of that (/Quesnay's) economic theory, becomes more understandable if reminded that during that (on) ancien regime, the king – who, also was some supreme power, ruled above any direct criticism from the 'regular mortal beings' - and, in principle, king also allotted for all the land(s) and of the share of wealth gained via from the cultivation of the land. So, basically, (for Quesnay) it wasn't possible (of directly) criticizing that system from ownership and labor (...that 'ever been so, ever supposed remaining so'.)

9. Like fx was happenings at islands of St. Helene (Atlantic Ocean) and Barbados (Caribbea), largely due from the sugar-cane farming (and of other reasons, less directly). ; ...For the more global knowledge (or, as some accepted 'scientific proof' at the 19th century), understanding about ecological consequences of deforestation (at tropical ranges) did not emerge to a more wider knowledge until Alexander von Humboldt's (1769-1859) writings, seems it said. (That around on earlier part from 1800s.)

10. ...Worth mention on this also that Saint-Pierre (/or likewise from the other early naturalists) would've only been aware from the species local extinction(s), as the concept about (global) extinction(s) wasn't even recognized, or understood on any manner similar than today. The species (and likewise, the races) were believed, at least in the common and prevailing belief, of being part from 'divine order'. Any species existence was therefore decided and brought for existence in the way the Almighty God had that set that on the times begins, so any complete disappearance was actually unimaginable - as that would've been against the 'natural law' acc. that view. Of course, naturalists and educated personnels (as well as common peoples), couldn't avoid from noticing the species local extinctions - At these described pelagics more easily than elsewhere, fx. Yet, argumenting from the complete loss of species, prior the (Darwin's) evolutionary theory, would have – at least, more or less – contradicted the grounding principles of the prevailed world-view. (Although Cuvier's [Georges, 1769-1832] observations from fossils also had/soon were to lead for an understanding that formerly there had existed species different from the presently extant some. All this also was subordinate for the general (limited) understanding about the Earth's past, and even the view favored by many naturalists - at the time - assumed planet's age for maximum of some tens thousands years old...from after early decades from 1800s, the scientific understanding and fossil finds accumulating, this was raised for an 'estimate' from about a million years.)

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BogFun

”[...] Further trouble was caused by the dispatch of the copies to the Frankfurt. I sent three sheets of the book in advance. The other day I took the fourth sheet with me, the moment it was dry from the press. When I reached the ship, two miles from here, I found my copy baptized overnight by Jupiter. I needed three days to dry them...”

From Kepler's letter (1619) to Quitenus Remus,

a physician at the Court in Prague (...cite/transl. is the via  
Carola Baumgardt's book; Johannes Kepler: Life and Letters p.1951).

Menyanthes trifoliata.

...Even though I don't (mostly) believe in coincidences, was perhaps a happy coincidence for to me to drop by when this particular plant was on flowering last summer.  ...It's Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), some from commonest natural marsh-plants. It usually grows on places where's adequate areas from standing waters (ie fx wetland-bogland, or suitable lakeside-edges). 
What a glorious blooming!

Bogbean has quite wide range all the way to the Southern Europes about, and perhaps further to Euraasia too.  (I guess, the English name originates of the looks of the seeds - when they've developed and flower petals have drop off,  them seem resemble beans, somewhat). The leaves grow separate of the flower. And - just to mention - in the past root-growths also were believed usable fx to reducing fevers...Albeit, modern knowledge seems to notice that there's not any proven/shown evidence from that (the plant's usability as remedy). In fact, there was in the pasts lot of similar beliefs from various plant. 

But how lovely a flowering ! I must have been blessed from been around just at the moment when it was of it's nicest bloom. And what lucky coincidence ! ;(G.U.J.) 

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