The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-11-08
JOINED TO WORLD
People of Tristan da Cunha No
Longer Isolated.
installation OF Wireless Tolography
VII! End seolueion Which Thoy
Seem to Have Enjoyed.

Tristan da Cunha Is the general
name for q group Of three small vol.
canic islands belonging to Great Brit.
ain situated in the South Atlantic
about 1000 miles west Of the Cape of
Good Hope and about 1000 miles
northeast OF Cape Horn. Tristan, the
largest and northernmost island has
an area Of 16 square miles, Is circular
in form, about seven miles in diane
ter, and has volcanic cone (7,640
feet), usually capped with snow, in
the center. 1t sometimes happens
that Tristan da Cunha remains six
months, ten months, year without
receiving news from any part Of the
world, says the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The islands were discovered in 1905
by the Portuguese Admiral Tristan
Cor more correctly Tristao) de Cunha,
after whom they are named, during a
voyage to India, but 1t was not until
the Nineteenth century that the
islands were permanently inhabited.
One dag IN American named Lambert,
"late Of Salem, Mass, mariner and cit
izen thereof" landed In Tristan and
declared himself sovereign and sole
possessor Of the group (Which he re-
named Islands Of Refreshment.)
II have made up my mind" he
wrote, ito prepare for myself and my
family home where I shall be able
to live without the difficulties that
have constantly troubled me, and to
procure for us property that will in
sure us forever the measure Of living
and preserve lis from common misfor-
tunes"
Jonathan Lambert had many imita-
tors. He arrived in 1910. In 1915
the island had already counted II in
habitants. 1t counted 80 in 1850, and
100 in 1908. According to the latest
news, Tristan population has ihe
creased to 1s0 persons. men, women
and children, and pastor In
cluded. Incidentally Lambert's SOW
ereignty was short-llved, as he was
drowned in May, 1920, while out fish
ing.
Tristan da Cunha has no history.
1t knows neither industry nor com.
merce, nor war. 1t has no neIghbors
who envy It, There Is no government.
The people manage their affairs
without any laws, the project once en-.
tertained of providing them with a
formal constitution being deemed un-
necessary.
Nothing, or nearly nothing, would
be known about the customs Of these
Robinsons If, In 1908, an advertise
ment in London paper had not sig
nalized the SAD condition OF those pea-
pie living even outside Of reiigionf
Thereupon an Anglican pastor, Rev.
Mr.. Barrow decided to go there with
his wife and a servant. 1t took them
six months from Southampton to reach
the island. They remained there three
years, and Mrs. Barrow has left an
excellent narrative Of their visit.
In this way 1t was learned that those
recluses, even II they did not consider
themselves very happy, seemed to fear
that they would be even less happy II
they deserted this island. In 1908
the majority for the second time re-
fused to deaert the island, though Of
fered allotments Of land in Cape Col
ony.
But an incident has just occurred
that will upset their life. A catle
from Rio de Janeiro tells OF the ar
rival on the island of new pastor
who brought with him a wireless ap-
paratus. Henceforth Tristan da Cunha
may know everything.