122 VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAP 

 IV. 



Dec 



hymns, which were first sung by the grown people, 

 and afterwards by the children. The service thus 

 1825. performed was very long ; but the neat and cleanly 

 appearance of the congregation, the devotion that 

 animated every countenance, and the innocence and 

 simplicity of the little children, prevented the at- 

 tendance from becoming wearisome. In about half 

 an hour afterwards we again assembled to prayers, 

 and at sunset service was repeated; so that, with 

 their morning and evening prayers, they may be 

 said to have church five times on a Sunday. 



Marriages and christenings are duly performed 

 by Adams. A ring which has united every person 

 on the island is used for the occasion, and given 

 according to the prescribed form. The age at which 

 this is allowed to take place, with the men, is after 

 they have reached their twentieth, and with the 

 women, their eighteenth year. 



All which remains to be said of these excellent 

 people is, that they appear to live together in perfect 

 harmony and contentment ; to be virtuous, religious, 

 cheerful, and hospitable, beyond the limits of pru- 

 dence ; to be patterns of conjugal and parental affec- 

 tion ; and to have very few vices. We remained 

 with them many days, and their unreserved man- 

 ners gave us the fullest opportunity of becom- 

 ing acquainted with any faults they might have 

 possessed. 



In the equipment of the Blossom a boat was built 

 purposely for her by Mr. Peake of Woolwich dock- 

 yard, upon a model highly creditable to his professional 

 ability, and finished in the most complete manner. 

 As we were now about to enter a sea crowded with 

 islands which rise abruptly to the surface, without 



