136 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



who deposed to Bligh's violence. There is no reason to 

 believe that he had exceeded the bounds of temperate 

 discipline. Nothing was heard of complaint until the 

 morning of the outrage. Really, the crew of the Bounty 

 were demoralized by too long a stay among the nymphs 

 of Otaheite. The resumption of discipline was too much 

 for the weaker characters among them to bear. It was a 

 simple matter when Christian, a fiery and energetic young 

 man, subject to the like temptation to hanker after the 

 joyous life so lately lost, whispered the seductive plan of 

 ejecting the Captain and his officers and seizing upon the 

 ship. What little was heard later of Christian is to the 

 effect that he was a constant prey to remorse, and liable 

 to exhibitions of ungovernable rage. 



It is worth bearing in mind, that Sir Joseph Banks 

 remained a staunch friend of Bligh as long as he lived. 

 And this, although Bligh was presently the unfortunate 

 victim of a very similar adventure, when his authority 

 in New South Wales was shattered by the daring im- 

 pudence of one subordinate. 



This untoward affair kept the lawyers busy, as well 

 as the whole naval service, for several years. The 

 book and pamphlet trade likewise battened on it. Bligh 

 was himself obliged to issue at least one rejoinder in 

 paper-and-print. Among other things, he quoted a 

 letter from John Hallett, a midshipman, who denied the 

 ill-temper and bad language the mutineers attributed 

 to him, in modest but forcible terms. He never heard 

 " illiberal epithets " used toward Christian by his Com- 

 mander, and always thought they were close friends 

 until the morning of the catastrophe. At the court 

 martial which presently ensued, Captain Bligh was 

 honourably acquitted of the loss of his ship. He was 

 presently introduced to the King ; and in course of time 

 promoted. 



The Jamaica House of Assembly showed their regard 



