THE INHABITANTS 211 



of the village is a large wooden building, which is 

 used both as church and school. 



The ruler of the people of Pitcairn is a Mr. 

 McCoy, who is called the chief magistrate. Un- 

 fortunately he was away on a visit to Tahiti, and 

 we therefore did not see him. Lord Crawford 

 paid a visit to the two oldest inhabitants, Mr. 

 Thursday October Christian, aged 84, and Mrs. 

 Young, aged 82, both of whom are grandchildren 

 of original mutineers. Both these old people were 

 ill in bed, but appeared to be much delighted to 

 see us. In each home were three pictures, cut out 

 of an illustrated paper, representing Queen 

 Victoria and our present King and Queen. 



The older people, as well as the young children 

 of Pitcairn, have fair complexions, but the people 

 of from 30 to 50 years of age are quite as dark as 

 the average Polynesian. It appears from this 

 that the Pitcairners resemble their ancestors, 

 the " Bounty " mutineers, every alternate 

 generation. 



Having obtained a guide, Dr. Macdonald and I 

 started on a walk over the island. From the settle- 

 ment we ascended the highest peak, about 1000 feet 

 above the level of the sea, the way leading through 

 a luxuriant grove of bananas, amongst which the 

 reed-warblers were very abundant. The peak is 

 composed of a mass of bare rock, and from the 

 summit we had a fine view of the settlement and 

 the southern end of the island. Well-made paths 



