PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 121 



to the instruction of the children, has taken upon chap. 

 himself the duty of clergyman, and is the oracle of ^—- v— 

 the community.* During the whole time I was ^^ 

 with them, I never heard them indulge in a joke, or 

 other levity, and the practice of it is apt to give 

 offence : they are so accustomed to take what is said 

 in its literal meaning, that irony was always consi- 

 dered a falsehood, in spite of explanation. They 

 could not see the propriety of uttering what was not 

 strictly true, for any purpose whatever. 



The Sabbath-day is devoted entirely to prayer, 

 reading, and serious meditation. No boat is allowed 

 to quit the shore, nor any work whatever to be done, 

 cooking excepted, for which preparation is made the 

 preceding evening. I attended their church on this 

 day, and found the service well conducted ; the 

 prayers were read by Adams, and the lessons by 

 Buffet, the service being preceded by hymns. The 

 greatest devotion was apparent in every individual, 

 and in the children there was a seriousness unknown 

 in the younger part of our communities at home. 

 In the course of the Litany they prayed for their 

 sovereign and all the royal family with much appa- 

 rent loyalty and sincerity. Some family prayers, 

 which were thought appropriate to their particular 

 case, were added to the usual service ; and Adams, 

 fearful of leaving out any essential part, read in ad- 

 dition all those prayers which are intended only as 

 substitutes for others. A sermon followed, which 

 was very well delivered by Buffet ; and lest any 

 part of it should be forgotten or escape attention, 

 it was read three times. The whole concluded with 



* Another seaman has settled amongst them, and is married to 

 one of Adams' daughters ; but he is not liked. 



