ST. HELENA 151 



resembles the lark of Europe, but is not migratory ; its 

 name was given it from its remarkably long legs like wires, 

 which enable it to run very swiftly over the ground. 



The white people of the island are for the most part the 

 descendants of the old English officials who settled in the 

 island, together with present military and Government 

 officials and merchants. 



St. Helenians proper are of mixed race, quiet, tractable, 

 and inoffensive. Crime is small. Governor Sterndale states, 

 that during fourteen criminal sessions over which he pre- 

 sided as Chief Justice, he had white gloves presented to him 

 on all but two occasions. 



Strict laws were in force in old times concerning gossip by 

 women, but the men seem to have enjoyed the use of their 

 tongues without rebuke. The following law is interesting : 



Whereas several idle, gossiping women make it their busi- 

 ness to go from house to house, about the island, inventing and 

 spreading false and scandalous reports of the good people thereof, 

 and thereby sow discord and debate among neighbours, and often 

 between men and their wives, to the great grief and trouble of all 

 good and quiet people and to the utter extinguishing of all friend- 

 ship, amity, and good neighbourhood ; for the punishment and 

 suppression whereof, and to the intent that all strife may be ended, 

 charity revived, and friendship continued, we do order that if any 

 woman from henceforwards shall be convicted of tale-bearing, 

 mischief-making, scolding, drunkenness, or any other notorious 

 vices, they shall be punished by ducking or whipping, or such 

 other punishment as their crimes or transgressions shall deserve, 

 as the Governor and Council shall think fit. 



Many of the islanders love their church and attend re- 

 gularly. The Church of England is paramount, but there 

 are also Roman Catholics, Baptists, and members of the 

 Salvation Army. 



The Church of England is presided over by a bishop, 

 assisted by three priests, who have charge of the districts 

 of St. James', St. Paul and St. Matthews'. There is also 

 the Church of St. John's in the upper town of Jamestown, 

 built at a time when the military force was too large to be 

 accommodated at St. James' ; and the Roman Catholic 

 Chapel is presided over by a military chaplain. 



The Baptists have their own minister and place of 

 worship. 



