The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-30
NEWS OF A HERMIT PEOPLE.
ONLY 81 INHABITANTS OF IRIS
TAN ia CUNHA'S ROCK.
But That's Seventeen More Than There
We're Four Years AgO-Still white
Folks, Though Somewhat Br0nzed
Wear Clothing Wnen They Have It.

Wear Clothing When They Have It.
Once a year, as a rule, news La received
Of the fortunes OF the Inhabitants Of Tristan
da Cunha, who are among the most isolated
people In the world. Probably no civilized
folk are less In touch with the affairs OF
other parts Of the globe than this handful
of white men and women, unless 10 he the
descendants of the Bounty Mutineers on
the rock Of Pitcairn in the Pacific.
The Tristan Island is situated In tho
south Atlantic (lat. 97' S. about midway
between the south end OF South America
and Africa. 1t Is out Of the track Of YES
sells and If it were not that the British Gov
eminent sends warship now and then
to see how its wards are getting on, and
to minister to their needs, the world would
seldom hear from them.
After the close of the last Napoleonio
war, in lsl8 the British Government thought
it good strategy to establish a garrison
on this small volcanic island. It's area
Is only forty-five square miles, little
less than that Of St. Helena. 1t was built up
by lava at the southern end Of the Same sub
marine ridge on which tho island Of Ascen-
sion stands. For nine months In the year
1t is exposed to severe storms OF wind and
rain and a more bleak and uninviting place
| could scarcely be conceived.
A few years after the garrison had been
planted on tho island the British people
began to ask the reason why, with the
result that the soldiers were withdrawn.
A few Of them, however, whose terms OF
enlistment had expired decided TO remain
on the forbidding rock in spite Of It's sterility.
Its native vegetation Is very sparse and
includes only one variety Of stunted trees
and its highest point, a rounded cone,
rising from the plateau, is covered with
snow the year round except In midsummer.
But these few men conceived the idea that
they could exc out living there; and al
some women were found In Ascension
who were willing to marry them and share
their fortunes they erected their family
hearthstones and set up on their own hook.
The British Government looks after
their descendants in benevolent spirit
and on some occasions, when their cir
cumstances have been peculiarly trying,
the visits of the warshps have been very
timely.
The ship that has recently returned from
Tristan da Cunha reports that the last
census shows considerable increase in
population. Four years ago there We're
only so Inhabitants, but they have now
grown to 81, divided among seventeen
families All Of them except four were
born on the island. Two Of these immi-
grants are Italians and are the best edu-
Gated persons in the colony. No marriage
has been celebrated in the past three years,
but some Of the children are approaching
statistics is expected to show improve
ment in this particular.
The report says, rather nalveIy, that
the inhabitants have become thoroughly
brs1n2ed under the influence OF the sum-
mer sun, but still they may be considered
as white folks. The men are Of large
franc but chunkiiy-built and are any
thing but handsome, The women arc
more agreeable in appearance and have
regular features, which suggest the Semitic
type. The children are clean, fat, WE'LL
behaved, wel-cared-for and particularly
wel!-olad-a gratifying statement which
shows that the garments brought to the
islanders have been advantageousty UNI,
lied At times they have been reduced
to sad stats Of raggedness because Of
inadequate supplies OF clothing.
There are no signs Of intellectual deterior-
alton In spite of the system Of close inter-
maria es which IRE necessary evil OF
their nHu"itV OF nu'nDerS Inc fathers
and mothers expressed the wish that some
thing hG done 10 improve the educational
facilities and some Of them said they would
like :, leave the island if by doing so their
children might have the advantage Of good
schools.
The principal articles in the dietary OF
the islanders are potatoes, milk, beef, NUT
ton ard poultry They have these food
supplies in abundance but for everything
else they are absolutely dependent upon thu
visits OF the warships. The plague Of tho
bland ia rats, which swarm everywhere.
Fish are abundant around the coasts. but
since the great tragedy OF some twenty
years ag b, when half Of the men we're caught
by s., rim while fishing and all lost their
lives, tho people have not tempted the
pe-s Of the sea, but have preferred 10
lie farmers in spite Of the meaRre returns
from the poor, thin soil.
Tho officers OF tho warships express tho
view that the island may some day he
made station for wireless telegraphy
between South America and Africa, and
that commercial relations NAV thus be
established between those continents and
tho islanders. whose condition will thereby
be improved. On the whole, these tidings
are the most cheerful that have been re-
CeIved for years from Tristan ola Cunha,
the reports from which have often been Of
a pathetic nature.