PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 117 



CHAP 

 IV. 



Dec. 



case forms a striking instance of the rigid manner 

 in which these islanders observe their word. 



Wives upon Pitcairn Island, it may be imagin- $& 

 ed, are very scarce, as the same restrictions with re- 

 gard to relationship exist as in England. George, 

 in his early days, had fallen in love with Polly 

 Young, a girl a little older than himself ; but 

 Polly, probably at that time liking some one else, 

 and being at the age when young ladies' expecta- 

 tions are at the highest, had incautiously said, she 

 never would give her hand to George Adams. He, 

 nevertheless, indulged a hope that she would one 

 day relent ; and to this end was unremitting in his 

 endeavours to please her. In this expectation he 

 was not mistaken ; his constancy and attentions, 

 and, as he grew into manhood, his handsome form, 

 which George took every opportunity of throwing 

 into the most becoming attitudes before her, softened 

 Polly's heart into a regard for him, and, had nothing 

 passed before, she would willingly have given him 

 her hand. But the vow of her youth was not to be 

 got over, and the love-sick couple languished on from 

 day to day, victims to the folly of early resolutions. 



The weighty case was referred for our considera- 

 tion ; and the fears of the party were in some mea- 

 sure relieved by the result, which was, that it would 

 be much better to marry than to continue unhappy, 

 in consequence of a hasty determination made be- 

 fore the judgment was matured ; they could not, 

 however, be prevailed on to yield to our decision, 

 and we left them unmarried* 



Another instance of a rigid performance of pro- 

 mise was exemplified in old Adams, who is anxious 



* They have since been united, and have two children. 



