Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-12

veXatlous affair. A person named HILL came to
the island, protesting himself authorised by the
British Government to reside there as lis repre-
sentative He soon sowed dissensions among the
simple minded inhabitants, whom he also terrified
into obedience by the fear of giving offence to the
Government. Honest Mr.. NObbs soon saw through
the staggering stranger,b by whose intrgues, how
ever, he was compelled to quit the island leaving
the new conner boasting from time to time OF his
splendid rank and station at home. lie SAID he
was "a very near relative to the Duke OF Bedford,
and that the Duchess seldom rode out in her car
riage without him" Whilst the people were
listening with awe to these magnificent statements.
who should arrive at the island-posltlvely as II
for the purpose of discom6ting imposture-but
Captain Lord Edward Russell, verltable son of
the Duke of Bedford Mr.. Hill was thunder
struck Lord Edward would have made short
work of it, and removed him instanter from the
scene of his impudeut and mischievous intrusion
and imposture Lord Edward, however, would
not do so without orders. But in the ensuing year
another ship of war arrived, her captain armed
with the requisite authority, and removed Mr.. (0r
as he seems to have called himself, LOrd) Hill to
Valparaiso. He never made his appearance again
IN the island and Mr.. Nobbs having received
pressing and unanimous entreaty from the inhabl-
tans to resume his old station and duties, compll-
ed with it, having been absent for the period OF
nine months, occupying himself as teacher at
the Gambler Islands which were about three hun
dred miles distance from Pitcairn.
1t may be remembered that child, ten months
old accompanied the mutneers from Otaheite to
Pitcairn. She afterwards married son Of the
unhappy Christian, by whom she had daughter,
and that daughter became the wife of Mr.. Nobbs,
by whom she has now eleven children. Since his
return, on the occasion last referred TO, this excel
lent man has never been interiered with in pur-
suing ''the even tenor of his way" but has evil
denty coneliated the ardent affection of all class
es. He acted from the first as their chaplain Gas
far as, being ayman, he could), their school
master. their physician, and, in fact, did every
thing that could be expected from man of kind
ly feeling, of little experience of varied life, of
sound education, and devoted piety. His duties
were constant and laborouS, for all his arrange
ments were very systematic, and he adhered to
( them with punctilious eXactness. Thus every
hour Of his time was devoted to the service of the
islanders and of his own large family. But how
was he himself supported all the while? it may
| be asked Indeed, his remuneration was for years
of the scantiest possible character for the Pitcairn
Islanders were, as he knew when he first went
very poor. In 1874. he thus explained, in let
ter TO clergyman at Valparaiso, some oithe straits
to which he was driven: My stock of clothing
which brought from England is,as you may sup
pose, very nearly exhausted, and have no friends
there to whom can with propriety apply for more.s
| Until the last three years, 1t was my custom to
wear black coat on the Sabbath; but since that
period have been obliged to substitute nankeen
Jacket of my own making. My only remaining
coat, which is quite threadbare, is reserved for
| and btriolc. that II ic customary
say, when wedding is going to take place,
Teacher, you will have to put on your black coat
next Sunday which is equivalent to informing
me that couple are going to be married J"
Some little time afterwards however, this CRATE
| Gul people placed him on level with themselves,
by assigning him sufficient land for his support.
PITCAIRN DAY.
1t may be pleasing to have an idea Of Pitcairn
,lay. Let it be borne in mind that there is dit
ference of nine hours between their time and ours
when, for instance, it is our four O'Clock IN the
afternoon it is their seven O'Clock in the morning.
They rise with the light and the first duty in
each house is to read prayers, including two chap
tars in the Bible. After slight retreshment the
business OF the day begins. Children are forth
with despatched to the school, during play hours
amusinU themselves with kites and ball but linn
tied space-less in extent than Hyde Park and
| KensngtOn Gardens put together-necesSarlly
curails the diversions Of young and old The
mems employment consists in cultivating their
land. looking after their gardens, building and i'm
proving their little houses, fencing in their plan
talions. and making hats out of palm. leaves, and
fancy buxes for barter with the crews of such ships
as may call there. At twelve O'Clock they have
plain substantial meal of ysms and potatoes, made
into bread, saying grace before and after meals
with scrupulous reverence. Both by day and by
night they fish in the deep waters Tor KIND of
cod. grey mullet, and red snapper, which howev-
err are Scanty, and obtained with some little haz-
ard The second meal of the day (they have but
two) occurs at seven o'clock in the evening, con-
siSting of yams, sweet potatoes, and such humble
fare as may have been prepared by the females of
the family Once or twice only in the week can
they afford the luxury of fish, meat, or poultry
The occupations of the women are their household
duties. including especially making and mending
clothes and when they have leisure, they manu-
hcture sort of cloth out OF the bark of the paper
mulberry. There are no servants in the island,
therefore the wives and daughters do all that is
necessary Tor the family. They do not cook in
the house, which, being of wood, might be often
endangered, but in ovens at little distance, let
into the ground big enough tc contain good sized
pig AN animal of which they have but few. They
have no candles. but use oil, and torches made
with nuts of the dodo tree. They have no glass
for the windows, hut only shutters, which are clos
ed in bad weather. They occasionally have a
mndicum of tea as luxury, but their ordinary
drink is pure water, neither wines nor spirits be-
ug allowed in the island, except for strictly med
icinal purposes. On high days and holidays they
treat themselves with cocoa nut milk, and water
Sweetened with syrup extracted from the bruised
sugar cane. They retire early to rest, after hav-
inp performed their family devotlonS. They sleep
secure without the protection OF locks, bolts, or
bars there is not such thing IN the lslandl-
Think then, of moonlight night at peaceful Pit
cairn. Londoner jaded with the uprOar and dss-
patton of u London day or night! See the moon
walking in her brightness, and stars shining, viv-
idly as yOu never saw them, and both reflected on
the illimitable ocean, all calm and beautiful. Not
soul is slumbering there that has not closed his
eyes-her eyes-at,er offering the hearts incense
t. their almighty Guardian
The Pitcairn people are all we'll educated, and
very fond ot reading but only books of sterling
interest, and moral and religious character, chiefly
supplied to them by one of the noblest societies
which England can boast-that for Promoting
Christian Know ledge. And now has arrived the
time for explaining that our readers are indebted
for all the Interesting facts which may appear in
this paper, as well those which have gone before
as those which areyet to follow, to little volume
only just issued by that Society. It's pious and
accomplished author is the Secretary of that So
ciety, and, we learn from its pages, has person.
al cognizance of many highly interesting facts mar
rated in it, pedgng himself to the authenticity of
all, as far as careful inquiry has enabled him to do
50. To us it has proved delightful little vol
ume, and we heartily express our obligations to
the reverend author. 1t breathes throughout a
pure spirit of manly sYmpathY and piety. We