Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-07-26
AN OCEAN ROMANCE.

we lind in n recent number of the Friend, a
paper published at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. a
let'cr from Mr.. George Ii. Nobbs, who for ~ years
has iahnred MS a pastor teacher among the decend.
ants OF the mutineers of the ship Bounty, at Pit
earns lslanu. Mr.. Nobbs says that the people,
having increased to nearly 200, their little rocky
island OF four and IL half miles circumference. is
becoming too strait for them. They cannot afford
to raise animal food, their supply of vegetables
barely exceeds their wants, and fire-wool is be-
coming scarce. Under these peculiar c|iroumstan-
ces the British government proposes to remove
them to Norfolk Island. from which the penal
settlement is to be withdrawn. The Islanders
have consented to this proposal. though slme If
the older people wish 10 remain. This peculiar
people once before emigrated from their native
Island, having, in 1880, been removed to Tahiti.
There however, they soon became Disconnected
and their simplicity and purity of morals greatly
deterijrated. In less than II year they effected n
a return to their own beloved island. 1t is .oped
their proposed removal to Norfolk Island will be
productive of more auspicious results. In an,
event, however, they will probably lose their SUI
cial identity. and the peculiar character which the
unique circumstances of their origin and manner
Of lie have given them. The removal therefore,
may TO looked upon as the conclusion of one of
the mnSt extraordinary romances of the sea, known
in all history
Ii is now g. years since that memorable mutiny
occurred on board the English $ ip Bounty. which
led to the settlement of Pitcairn's Island 10y nine
IF the mutineers. and IL number of Tahitian men
and women, under the lead of Fletcher Christian.
their chief. How they qnarreled and murdered
each other, until only John Adams and the women
and children surviyeo; how the then repentant
m%utineer instructed the children, and brough,
them up in the fear Of God and the practice of the
purest morals, until Il most remarkable community
sprang up in that secluded island, is known to all
the world. Poest have sung the story, and 70
mancers have been %contentt to state the simple fact,
: without addition or exaggeration. Great mus,
: have been the astonishnent of that sea captain
who. the frs. to touch at the supposed uninhabit
ed island, Is years after its settlement hy the mu
: tneers, found there an English-speaking people
living in what seemed to the wondering vnyager.
r a state OF Eden.like purity and repuse. "Who are
f you p said the startled CAPTAIN. 'Englishmen
because our father was an Engiishman." "Wh,
f is your ftther?" With great simplicity they re
4 piled. "Aleck-8on't you know Aleck ?" The sto
ry OF Aleck and has children soon became the mar
n vel Of the world, and the prospects of the islanders
a have never decreased to this day. Mr.. hobbs say,
!, the domestic habits Of the community are nov
v more in accordance with the customs IF civilized
/ society than they were 'hirty years ago, but other
) wi sc there is little alteration.
;. That ii community ST. remarkable for s~implicit,
and purity should have sprung from so iniqnitoui
/. nm origin: is n striking exemplificalion Of the elc
f waiting influences of the Bible-the book from
which John Adams drew all his teachings and hi
laws.
. The little, rocky and almost unapproachahle isl
Q and, 50 soon to be again left without inhabitants
n will always possess an interest second only 10 tina
: which encircles that other rock of the ocean, 81
Helena. AS the scene of one of the most roman
@ tic episodes in human history, that lonely spr
g must ever be connected with associations rs plea,
ing a hey are remarkable Portiand TronScrip