ALMANAC STATISTICS. 375 



which contains much information regarding the 

 island — its trade, and inhabitants. From it I learn 

 that the population numbers five thousand four hun- 

 dred and ninety souls, and to attend to the health 

 of this population, there is but one doctor of medi- 

 cine ; so here is a fair field for any Yankee disciple 

 of Esculapius who wishes for employment, and does 

 not object to leaving home to find it. 



The amount of importation for the year 1856, 

 reached the sum of one hundred and one thousand 

 five hundred and sixty-two pounds, of which one- 

 fourth was through American whaleships engaged 

 in the South Sea fishery; the balance was from all 

 parts of the world. The exports for the same time 

 amounted to twentj'-four thousand nine hundred and 

 twenty-five pounds, twenty-two thousand five hun- 

 dred and eighty-five pounds of which was to the 

 United States. These facts show the importance of 

 the whaling trade to the revenue of the island. 



This book also contains information relative to the 

 government-officers, the various churches, the tele- 

 graph department, &c., of the island ; yet, as we are 

 in a hurry to get homeward, we will not tarry for the 

 consideration of further statistics, but return to our 

 ship. 



On the afternoon of the 2d inst., having ran close 

 in to land, we were becalmed and in imminent risk 

 of going ashore ; but by lowering the boats and 

 strenuousl}^ pulling we managed to get tbe ship's 

 head pointed seaward. A light breeze springing up, 

 we were soon relieved from our apprehensions. At 

 6^ o'clock P. M. the captain came oft", and imme- 

 diately the order was given to square away for 



