276 Voyage of the Nov ar a. 



Such is the latest that is known as to the Pitcairn Islanders 

 and their singular destiny. It is not at all improbable that 

 the majority of their kindi^ed will gradually find their way 

 back to the original seat of their race, there to end their days. 



Making all allowance for their aptitude and their natural 

 preferences, their innate timidity and lack of decision must 

 leave a painful impression upon every impartial mind ; but 

 this prominent trait of character seems to have a deep- 

 seated physiological basis. The '^Mutiny of the Bounty''^ 

 was followed by a natural re-action. The ever-present dread 

 of discovery, which constantly haunted Christian and his cri- 

 minal associates, and to their dying day deprived them of all 

 tranquillity of mind, was transmitted, but in a milder form^ 

 to their descendants, and struck root in their bosoms in a 

 feeling of dependence and excessive timidity, which prevented 

 even their grand-children from attaining tranquillity, and from 

 becoming not to say intellectual, but even useful, members of 

 society. Will, courage, independence, seem for ever to have 

 fled from the breast of the Pitcairn Islanders, who, on the 

 other hand, have many virtues well calculated to excite our 

 sympathies, and of whom especially the founder of this sim- 

 ple-minded community, the energetic, clear-sighted Adams, 

 has, by his actions, proved anew the truthfulness of the say- 

 ing, '' Whoever has the power to will (a thing) can perform 

 miracles ! " 



