2.72. Voyage of the Novara. 



the former, and consists of about 100 'block-houses' of va- 

 rious dimensions. There are also a number of stone-buildings 

 upon the island, which speak of the times when the island 

 was a penal settlement, and comprises a large prison for about 

 2000 convicts, besides the necessary barracks for the military 

 guard ; a church, a hospital, magazines, and dwelling-houses 

 for the Governor, the chaplain, the inspector, the officers, &c., 

 buildings which, taken in conjunction with the grave-mounds 

 and frail tombstones of the adjoining churchyard, tell a 

 mournful tale to the visitor of the earlier inhabitants, and of 

 the tragic fate of many thousands who must have toiled and 

 sunk under their hopeless doom in Norfolk Island. 



" The Pitcairn Islanders occujjied the houses constructed 

 for the Government officials, and had not shown the slightest 

 attempt to settle upon spots suitable for agriculture. When 

 the British Government made the island over to them to be 

 cleared and reclaimed there were about 2000 head of sheep, 

 several hundred cattle, 20 draught horses, and a large 

 number of swine and poultry. In addition to this handsome 

 present. Government gave them provisions for six months, 

 besides agricultural implements, seeds of various useful plants, 

 and vegetables of every description. There were also two 

 sloops, of about 15 tons each, left at the island, besides a 

 complete stock of household necessaries. All the above were 

 made a free gift of to the islanders by the British Govern- 

 ment, which merely reserved to itself a part of what used to 



