The most of them have never been out of the island, and haven't read much or studied much, and they think the world consists of three principal countries--Judaea, France, and Mauritius; so they are very proud of belonging to one of the three grand divisions of the globe.

They think that Russia and Germany are in England, and that England does not amount to much.

They have heard vaguely about the United States and the equator, but they think both of them are monarchies.

They think Mount Peter Botte is the highest mountain in the world, and if you show one of them a picture of Milan Cathedral he will swell up with satisfaction and say that the idea of that jungle of spires was stolen from the forest of peg-tops and toothpicks that makes the roofs of Curepipe look so fine and prickly.
"There is not much trade in books.

The newspapers educate and entertain the people.