with heavy hearts. My family being among those appointed to embark first, previous to doing so, Mrs. Nobbs and myself went into the grave-yard, where are deposited the remains of our first-born. Scarcely a word was spoken by either of us, but tears fell freely. Why? Not because we lamented the lot of a saint in Christ, but because we were about to leave the grave and head-stone, those frail memorials which had become unspeakably dear to us, never to behold them again. These reflections caused our tears, and not an ungrateful repining that our son was with the Lord. Vale Reuben! till this corruptible shall put on incorruption. "In the dusk of the evening Pitcairn Island receded from view. There were very few of the late inhabitants on deck to take a last lingering look at the much-loved and ever-to-be-remembered island, but very many men, women, and children wished themselves on shore again, so intensely were they suffering from sea-sickness. This state of things continued for several days; at length some of the convalescents began to appear on deck, which soon became studded over with smiling faces. The messes were now properly arranged, and regulations similar to those on board well-conducted emigrant ships observed. During the whole passage the community assembled at 7 A.M. on the berth-deck at the ringing of a bell, purposely suspended there, when the Scriptures were read, and prayer offered to the Father of Mercies to implore his protection for the coming day. "At eight o'clock the mess-tables were lowered and breakfast commenced; immediately after breakfast all the women and children who were able went on deck, while the men and lads gave the berth-deck a thorough cleansing. "At 1 P.M. dinner was served, and then such rattling of the plates and spoons, such passing between the mess-tables with soup and beef, or salt pork and peas, or something equally palatable, that it was a pleasant thing to sit at one end of the deck and take a bird's-eye view of the whole. Grace being said by the senior person or each mess, proofs of good appetite were not wanting, though in that respect there was a manifest difference between a fair wind and a foul one, if the latter was producing a head sea. At 3 P.M. the bell rang, and Divine service was performed, Lieutenant Gregorie always attending with the community. After service all that were able went on deck, and generally remained there till supper-time, which was six o'clock. At eight the bell again rang, and all assembled for prayers. The service commenced by singing a hymn, then reading the Scriptures, prayers, and concluded by all joining in the evening hymn, then whoever chose went to bed; some went to sit on deck for a while, and many of the younger people spent a couple of hours singing under the instruction of Charles Christian. At nine o'clock the captain of the ship and myself went round to see that all was right, and visit the sick in the hospital (if any were there, as was generally the case), and there my duties for the day ended. But frequently I had to get up during the night to attend some one. I also prescribed for those who were unwell among the ship's company. Westerly winds prevailing, we had a long and tedious passage, though not an uncomfortable one. "Friday, June 6th.-Land ho! I forgot to note in the proper place that shortly after leaving Pitcairn we changed the day of the week-that is we went forward a day; this was done to make our hebdomadal calendar coincide with that of New South Wales. During the night a very heavy squall struck the ship, and caused some consternation among the more timid; the lightning was also vivid. "Sunday, June 8th.-Cloudy weather. Close in with Norfolk Island; very much disappointed with its appearance from the present point of view, which is directly off the settlement, and presents a succession of hillocks and shallow ravines covered with short brown grass, but scarcely a tree to be seen. Every face wore an expression of disappointment, having been accustomed to hear the island so highly extolled. No doubt other parts have a better appearance, but this side certainly bears no comparison with our Rock in the West. "At 10 A.M., left, with my family and some others, in the ship's life-boat. It blew fresh, and we were nearly two hours rowing to shore. The wind being off the land during our passage, several squalls of rain occurred, and the boat leaking badly, we were thoroughly drenched, the women and children presenting a most forlorn appearance. Being conducted by Mr. Stewart to his residence, I deposited my wife there, and then returned to the pier. On my way thither, I went into the large building where our people were congregating, and seeing they were beginning to feel comfortable, I returned to the landing-place. One of the Government prisoners-doing duty as a constable to prevent any one intruding into the precincts of the large building (formerly the soldiers' barracks) where our people were assembling-seeing how thoroughly drenched I was, gave me so pressing an invitation to go to his dwelling, which was adjacent, and change my clothes, that I did not refuse his offer. He supplied me with a decent suit, and moreover brought me a mug of hot tea and some excellent bread and butter. All this was done so respectfully, and with such good grace, that I forgot that this man was a twice-convicted prisoner. He was a man, as I afterwards learned, of good education, and had formerly filled a very responsible situation in H.M.'s Customs in Ireland, but was banished for forgery. Having partially gained his freedom, he again committed some offense, for which he was exiled for life to Norfolk Island; but his good conduct had obtained him some indulgence, and he was now acting as chief constable over the ten or twelve prisoners who remained to take care of the place until our arrival. "Monday, 9th.-Moderate weather. Every thing denotes that we are in a strange country; the size of the houses the oxen yoked to the carts, bringing our goods from the pier to the place where we reside-this same |