The following extract from a letter to Admiral Sir F. Moresby gives a lady's view of the policy of isolation :

"You will not, I trust, my dearest papa, give yourself any more blame respecting the islanders, as they have intermarried with strangers, against what would have been your consent. You cannot now expect to keep them isolated, and if the husband of this young woman, or women, chooses to have his friends come to visit him for a month or months, who is to deny him, or prevent other girls from marrying? One interloper allowed, and the thin end of the wedge is driven home. This they undoubtedly have permitted, and it will be vain for you or any one else, even Mr. Nobbs himself, to try and stop the small gap through which, ere long, the full tide will presently find room to sweep. Besides, is it not natural the young girls should be drawn towards the white race and strangers? It seems almost a pity to prevent it. They naturally think less of those among whom they have spent their whole life, and they yearn for novelty. Mr. Nobbs and Adams may think it wiser and more prudent, but I doubt, if a show of hands were taken on the island, that the majority would be for isolation. And if there had been some lawyer friend to inspect the Articles of Cession before they went out, we should have known how they stood with respect to unlimited possession.

"You are indeed dealing unjustly by yourself in selfaccusations. What we understood and what Government really meant are two widely differing points. And, as I before said, I shall never think the young

people will consider their views fairly represented by the old ones. It is not natural, and time will make it plain even to you. They are virtually prisoners, poor girls, and may not marry except among their own people, and that alone is enough to make them rebel.

"Your loving daughter,

"M. W."

CHAPTER IX.

PRIVATIONS OF THE PITCAIRN COLONY-REMARKABLE WHALING ADVENTURE PROGRESS OF THE MELANESIAN MISSION AND COLLEGE ON NORFOLK ISLAND ACCOUNT OF THE FAMILIES WHO RETURNED TO PITCAIRN ISLAND, BY CAPTAIN MONTRESOR, R.N., AND SIR WENTWORTH DILKE.

COMMUNICATION with Norfolk Island had now been uncertain for several years, causing the islanders to suffer both privation and anxiety. The American war had prevented many of the whalers from prosecuting the fishery in the South Seas, and touching at Norfolk for their usual supplies of vegetables; and in the year 1865 not more than thirty pounds' worth of produce had been exported. Under these circumstances the islanders were reduced to great difficulties, as will be seen by the extract from a letter written by Mr. Nobbs, and dated

"Norfolk Island, September 12th, 1865. "Your box arrived most opportunely, and you may thoroughly admit the assertion, for never during the last thirty years have my own family, or the community generally, been so badly off for wearing apparel. I do not include myself, for thanks to the Admiral, Sir Thomas Acland, and other friends, my rigging is still pretty good; but for the rest of the communityespecially the women and children—a great want of clothing has been experienced for more than two years.

Window curtains, and other vestiges of improving civilisation, have been converted into wearing apparel during the winter just gone by. Another reason why such destitution prevails is, that the plant which produces the material for manufacturing the tappa, or island cloth, will not thrive here, so that the women cannot manufacture the comfortable bed-clothing so necessary in such isolated places as this. I repeat, it is not from indolence or want of care that these privations are at the present moment so general, but the poverty of demand for the island produce."

Rev. Mr. Nobbs to Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, K.C.B. (Extract.)

"Norfolk Island, December 23rd, 1867. “December 26th.—A tranquil Christmas, with some of your loved ones beneath your roof-tree, is the wish of your humble and grateful friends in this our pleasant home, and may you be gratified to know that we cherish with unabated love and respect our memories of the 'good old Admiral.'

"We had a cheerful Christmas, very similar to those of years gone by, but I was so fatigued by the services of the day (three) that I was glad to go to bed at six o'clock-an hour before sunset."

*

"I am fast drifting towards death's bay. You will believe me, I am sure, when I say I will not quit my post till body or mind gives way; but the fact cannot be concealed from others, as well as myself, that I am rapidly becoming a very old man. My good wife is

also frequently an invalid. She sends her Christian greeting, and New Year's best wishes to Lady Moresby and yourself, and earnestly assures you both that, while life lasts, she will never cease to remember with gratitude your labour of love and Christian sympathy for the Pitcairn people in general, and her own family in particular.

January 1st, 1868.-A happy new year to you, dear: Sir Fairfax and Lady Moresby.

"Ever gratefully yours,

"G. R. F. (NOBBS)."

Rev. G. H. Nobbs to the Rev. G. D. Glennie, Secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

"Norfolk Island, January 29th, 1868.

"We are going on in our usual quiet way, increasing in numbers, but not greatly improving our longsustained position in worldly matters; having at all times a good supply of food, but not of other domestic requirements, by reason that ships rarely visit us, and the island produce is not demanded in the colonies of New Zealand and Australia, they having in general sufficient for their own consumption. Nevertheless, we may not complain, being in better circumstances than thousands even in dear old England. We at this moment number exactly 300 persons, and, somewhat singular, are 150 of either sex. The births last year were eighteen; deaths four, from whooping-cough. At this time the community is in good health. I am just and have been for the last twelve months, very fully employed, having, besides the clerical and medical

now,