water they are almost as much at home as on land, and can remain nearly a whole day in the sea. They frequently swam around their little island, a distance of about five miles. When the sea beat heavily on the island, they have plunged into the breakers and swum to sea beyond them. This they sometimes did, pushing a barrel of water before them when it could be got off in no other way; and in this manner we procured several tons of water without a single cask being stove..

The Rev. Wm. Armstrong, late Chaplain at Valparaiso, in a letter, dated October, 1849, stated that an English manof-war, the Pandora, had lately arrived, direct from Pitcairn's, and that the commander, Lieut. Wood, and the officers, had given the most pleasing account of the happy state in which their little community were living. They were described as a remarkably strong and healthy people. For instance, a young woman, eighteen years of age, had been accustomed to carry on her shoulders a hundred pounds weight of yams over hills and precipitous

places, and for a considerable distance, where one unaccustomed to such exercise would scarcely be able to scramble. A man, sixty years old, with ease carried the surgeon of the Pandora up a steep ascent from the landing-place, which he had himself in vain attempted to mount, the ground being very slippery from recent rains; and the officer being a large man, six feet high, rendered it the more surprising. Indeed, Lieut. Wood said he was himself borne aloft in the arms of a damsel, and carried up the hill with the ut most facility.

CHAPTER VII.

GOOD

CONDUCT OF VISITORS-THE PITCAIRNER'S DAY

HOUSEHOLD ARRANGEMENTS-TEMPERANCE-LITERATURE

TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS-MUSICAL CLASS-SERVICES

OF MR. NOBBS-TESTIMONY-LETTERS-THE SCHOOL.

FROM the date of the first intelligence respecting the inhabitants of Pitcairn, there has been no variation in the character given of them. As they were, in purity and peace, those two great essentials of human happiness, when Sir Thomas Staines visited the island, in 1814, so they are now, in 1853,-the same contented, kind, and God-fearing race. need we feel surprised at this, however delighted we may be with the picture. They are sensible of the treasure which they possess in the Bible, and take it for their guide in the performance of their duty toward God and their neighbour.

Nor

The difficulty of landing on the island,

and the want of harbour and anchorage, though at first sight a disadvantage, may have proved a blessing in preserving these simple-minded people from the baneful effects too likely to arise from crews remaining, as a matter of course, among them. As it is, the behaviour both of officers and men who visit the place, is stated to be most exemplary. No encouragement is given to evil; and no instance can be quoted of the transgression, on the part of visitors, of the sacred law of hospitality. On the contrary, the good habits, and moral and religious conduct of the islanders, do not fail to produce, by the power of example, a wholesome influence on strangers.

If it be asked, how the people pass their time, and what they can have to do in a spot whose utmost limit is barely four miles and a half in circumference, the question may be answered by a description of the Pitcairn Islanders' ordinary day.

They rise early, generally as soon as it is light. Each house has early family prayer, preceded by Scripture reading;

two chapters of the Bible being generally selected for the morning, and one for the evening. After some slight refreshment, for they have only two regular meals a day, the business of the Pitcairner's day begins.

The young people are sent to school, in pursuance of a law of the island; and after the "graver hours, that bring constraint, and sweeten liberty," they have their needful food, and their childish amusements. They are fond of flying kites, and of games at ball; though the want of room on the island imposes a limit on the nature and number of the out-of-door diversions both of young and old.

The occupation of the men consists in cultivating their land; looking after their gardens; building and improving their houses, which are neat, clean, and commodious; rearing stock; fencing in their plantations; manufacturing hats from the leaf of the palm; making fancy boxes, &c., which they keep in store for barter with whalers, or other vessels which may call at Pitcairn for refreshment.