Extract from another letter of Mr. Nobbs's, dated November 1st, 1858, giving an account of the whale-fishing, and also of the drought to which Norfolk Island is subject:

"Some of the seeds you so kindly sent me I planted during the winter season, and they are growing very well; the Savoys are superb, and the Brussels sprouts are excellent. The sea-kale and the asparagus have not thriven so well. The other seeds I have reserved for planting as soon as I obtain my allotment. I want them to remain permanently where I place them, as I am not sure they will bear transplanting. When I enter upon my possession I am going to take the liberty of calling it Killerton, and by that name shall have it inserted in the map of the island, and by that name bequeath it to my children. Our people are now busily engaged in killing hump-back whales, and have succeeded in securing one hundred and twenty barrels of oil; but it is somewhat dangerous work. Whether it will be remunerative remains to be shown. If they can by some such course of industry procure the means to purchase flour or biscuits for half the year we shall do very well. For though our agricultural pursuits are not all neglected, the long-continued droughts of summer are a sad drawback upon our crops. At this present moment the Indian corn, sweetpotatoes, and whatever else we have in the ground, is suffering from drought, and if rain does not fall soon we shall lose the whole crop; even now we are on short allowance of vegetable food, and were it not for some flour and biscuit the Bishop of New Zealand purchased, with the proceeds of a quantity of young pine-trees which he kindly took thither for us, we should be in poor case as to the result of our own exertions. But our covenant God, who is ever a very present help in time of trouble, will be our refuge and strength; therefore we will not fear."

November of the same year, 1858, two families of the name of Young returned to Pitcairn in a trading-vessel

In a letter from Mr.

which they hired for that purpose. Nobbs, dated March 25th, 1859, he says:

"At present there is no prospect of any others returning. But I believe if the next whaling-season be successful several families will engage some small craft or other to convey them to Pitcairn. I and mine will remain, if it. pleases God, and do all I can to induce others to follow my example. So well are my determinations known, that no one can speak to me about going back, and I am glad to say a few families are encouraged in their desire to remain from the decided step I have taken.

"The land is a goodly land, and needs nothing but a contented mind, a persevering spirit, and a grateful heart, to render it productive and pleasant."

The next communication is from His Excellency Sir William Denison, Governor-general of New South Wales, in which jurisdiction Norfolk Island is included. It was written on his voyage back to Sydney, and in it he relates the settlement on the island of a school-master; describes the profits of the whale-fishery; and deems it indispensable that the funds arising from this and other sources should be placed in more competent hands than those of the magistrate, who was too liable to be imposed on by the traders who touched at the island.

"H.M.S. Cordelia, July 7th, 1859. "MY DEAR ADMIRAL,-I told you in my last letter what I was about to do with the men sent out to me for Norfolk Island. I must now give you some account of the state of the island itself, from which I am now returning.

"I embarked on board the Cordelia on the 16th of June, and had a rough passage of eight days to the island. I had dispatched a schooner with the new settlers on the 13th, and found that they had arrived but one day before me. They had been kindly welcomed by the people, most of whom were busily engaged in shipping their oil

on board the schooner which I had chartered. I found that the great proportion of the people were well satisfied with their position and prospects. Thirty-three of the men had associated themselves, and by clubbing their means had purchased two boats and whaling gear from an American whaler. They had then gone energetically into the business of bay whaling, and had killed whales enough to furnish fourteen tons of oil, which at present prices may be worth nearly five hundred pounds. This success has given them a stimulus, and they have now four boats and the necessary gear; are looking anxiously for the approach of the whales, and expect to reap a good harvest from them this year. I have warned them that they must not expect to be so successful hereafter, for that the whales will, as is the case on the coast of Australia and Van Diemen's Land, desert a spot where they are constantly chased; but I am very glad that they have been stimulated to active exertion, for the energy which takes them after the whales will, when these are gone, find some field for its exertion on the island itself. Some have already commenced to manufacture drip-stones, which sell well in the adjacent colonies; some have commenced the manufacture of soap; others are looking forward to a profitable trade with New Zealand in oranges and lemons; in fact, as regards the men, I am satisfied with their progress. I wish I could say the same with regard to the women; they, with one or two exceptions, do not appear to me nearly so civilized as the men. They approach nearer the Tahitian type; and, as we must look to the women to give the first tone to the children, I should wish to see a great improvement in manner, appearance, and information. I trust, however, that Mr. Rossiter's presence will do a great deal for them. Hitherto the school has been but a trifling advantage, but now that Mr. Rossiter has taken it in hand I have a right to expect a great change for the better. I have arranged with him to take three pupil teachers, to whom he is to give an extra hour's instruction daily. He is to make the school to a certain extent industrial, to give