The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-09-22
a Singular Colony.

=
following account Of an Island he visited
in the Southern Ocean, named 'jstaH
dc AcRashu.'
This island is situated about midway
between the Cape of Good Hope and
Cape Horn. In the year 1911 the Brit
i5h frigate Pandora struck on ledge or
rocks near this island, on her return home
from Bengal, laden with troops. One Of
their number, Sergeant Glass, while the
troops were being landed, preparatory to
getting the ship of the rocks, took ad-
vantage of tie confusion attendant there
upon, and secrcted himself on the island,
aud the ship sailed without him. Glass
remained here three years, subsisting III
the meantime on the fesh Of goats, which
here abound, and also Oh shell-G,h and
roots. By tue expiration Of this time he
had succeeded IL constructing a boat from
drift timber and other materials, and pro-
ceeded with q cargo Of goat skins to the
Cape Of Good Hope, some 1860 miles
distant. The lime which he selected for
bis departure in ibis Erail craft was dur
ing the prevalence Of the westerly winds.
He accomplished bis perilous voyage in
safety.
After short residence at Cape Town
be married the widow Of soldier who
had died at the Cape; and with his wife
and q negro man returned TO his solitary
island again, taking with Him various
implements, seeds, arms, and ammunition,
together with other necessaries, which
were literally furnished him by the
merchants Of Cape Town. Here the
good couple carried out the injunction of
increase and multiply" The result Of
their marriage was seven daughters, who,
in the course Of time, were married to
men from american whalers who oc-
casionally touched at the island. These
son-in-law5 Of the Old man, in compliance
with law that he lad made that "no
son-in-law Of bis should leave the island"
settled down, and proved as prolific as
did the original couple, SO that the popu-
lation now amounts to cigLty-four chill
dren, grandchildren and grand
children. The old Patriarch. Glass, is
now 30 years Of age, and as hale and
strong as a youth Of twenty; indeed, he
says he means to live so years longer,
and, 50 far as personal appearances
would warrant the Judgment, he will
keep his word.
4 remarkable fact should here be
mentioned, that since the island has first
been settled by Glass, death has never
visited one of It's inhabitants.
The amount Of land at present ayaila-
bic for cultivation on the island is a mere
strip Of about 25O acres. which is entire
Iy devoted to the cultivation of potatoes
and other esculeuts. But, as the spade
is used, and every attention paid to ell
richiug the land, it is even now capable
of furnishing support to about 500 per-
sons; and there is no doubt but chat in
the course Of a few years large tracts of
other land on the side Of the mountain
viii be brought into productive state.
The island is al extinct volcano, rising
almost l 100 feet above the level Of the
sea. The edges Of the crater Of this vol
cauic mountain are cternally covered
with snow. Within the crater is 4 mag
nifcent lake Of pure fresh water, about
one-third Of 4 mile in diameter. This
lake is fed by the melted SHOWS, and it
oyerfows III several torrents and cascade
down the sides Of the mountain, supply
ing the inhabitants Of the island and ships
that sometimes touch there with excellent
water. The lake sometimes abounds
with a very peculiar kind of fish, of ex-
celent flavor, and totally unlike any 9TH
er species found in the surrounding ocean
SO that their origin is an interesting sub
ject for the investigation Of the iehthyolo-
gist.
Capt Gibson staid at this island for
three days, and only left it and It's inter
esting inhabitants sooner than he wished
from compulsion, as dangerous storm
was brewing, and the coast afforded no
safe anchorage, The grand-daughters OF
old Glass are described as remarkable
for their health and beauty, anu it would
not be strange If many more adventurous
ankees should be inclined to settle there
and marry into this patriarchal fraterui-
ty. The women are equally expert with
the men in the use of the rifle, fishing
rod, and oar and find no difficulty in OBJ
tanning husbands, for whom they make
excellent wives. With the men Of the
original stock, however, the case Is dit
ferent, as women are not in the habit Of
going "a whaIing;" therefore no women
come to the island. We are informed
that thoro are now about nineteen young
men who would feel under great obiga-
tion5 to some charitable Mrs FarnLam.
One Of the young men took his fathers
boat and with two Of his cousins proceed
ed to the coast of Africa, aud made bold
to introduce himself To an Interesting
young Caflro woman, who not being al
fected With any OF the puctllios Of civil
| lized life, readily accompanied him home.
| BY her he has three interesting children,
and she makes HIN an excellent wife
| She is described as OF bright brown