Recent Ilistorfj of the Pitcairn Islanders. 267 



selves to be persuaded into trying this change, the more so 

 that their own island was beginning, as had long been fore- 

 seen, to prove too small for them, and the possibility of a 

 deficiency of food began to assume an appalling air of pro- 

 bability. 



In May, 1856, the British Government expended £5000 in 

 sending another ship ftom Sydney to Pitcairn, to carry out 

 the wishes of the inhabitants and their advocates in England, 

 by transporting the entire community to Norfolk Island. 

 There were in all 193 souls, viz. 40 men, 47 women, 54 boys 

 and 52 girls, who now said farewell to the land of their birth. 

 But on this occasion also the elder seemed to feel an antici- 

 pation of their speedy return, and before they embarked they 

 took every possible precaution to ensm-e their finding their 

 dwellings in the same order in which they were leaving 

 them. They placed written bills on the doors of tlieir 

 houses, in which they requested all visitors to abstain from 

 injuring their property, as they were only leaving the island 

 ■ for an indefinite visit, and would very speedily return to their 

 old quarters. They killed all the pigs and dogs upon the 

 island, lest the first should violate the sanctity of the grave, 

 and the latter injure their flocks and herds. 



By the ensuing harvest-time they were installed in their 

 new home. Provided for the first time by the English Govern- 

 ment with the requisite means of subsistence, as well as agri- 

 cultural implements, &c., they seemed to feel themselves 

 quite at home, and their friends and well-wishers in England 



