NORFOLK ISLAND. IB 



myself eventually adopted after having seen with my o\vn 

 eyes of what the people who navigate these seas are capable. 

 Hence it happens that tribes we treat as savages witli a 

 certain air of superiority might, were the barbarous acts 

 attributed to them carefully enquired into, find fiivour in 

 the eyes of civilized nations, which have not always reason 

 to be proud of the adventurers who represent them in 

 distant seas. 



During our stay at Norfolk Island a deputation of the 

 inhabitants waited on the Commodore to complain of an 

 American who, residing there, obstinately persisted in 

 hoisting the American flag every Sunday on the top of his 

 house, which is government property. The settlers looked 

 upon this as an insolent pretension, offensive to their loyalty 

 and patriotism. Sir William Wiseman undertook to appease 

 their irritation, and succeeded in some way or other in doing 

 so. The name of this eccentric American was Bates. When 

 in command of a Yankee wliale ship he had touched at 

 the island short of provisions. While getting in his supplies 

 he fell in love with Mr. Eossiter's, the schoolmaster's, sister, 

 and married her. Having done this on condition of re- 

 maining on the island, he sent away his ship under the 

 care of his mate ; and having thus taken up his quarters he 

 amused himself every Sunday with this tolerably harmless 

 display of his nationality. 



Before taking final leave of our amiable hosts we invited 

 them to pay a visit to the ' Curacoa.' Several of them 

 accepted the invitation and came and spent an hour or two 



