RELIGION. 



^75 



would on no account take on himself the responsibility of per- 

 mitting collections to be made on shore, or soundings to be taken 

 adjacent to the coast, although at first he appeared willing to 

 allow this. ... On it were about 1400 prisoners, 160 soldiers, 

 and four officers, besides the commandant or governor. . . . The 

 prisoners are not confined in large buildings, but each man erects 

 a hut for himself with laths and mud, so that the settlement 

 occupies a considerable area. ... All the prisoners muster at 

 morning and evening parade, and are 'told off' in the morning 

 for their allotted work during the day — some to attend the sheep 

 or goats, others to labour in the fields, and others, again, to fish." 

 The fishermen use a catamaran. " There are plantations of sugar- 

 cane, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, pumpkins, and 

 melons on the island. The latter, both water and marsh, are 

 remarkably fine, both in size and flavour ; they cost about three- 

 pence each, and a large store was purchased." * The Report con- 

 tains an imposing view of the Peak. 



Religion. 

 Having lived for some months far inland, and having had 

 many opportunities of seeing the religious life of the people 

 removed from the outward influences which obtain in seaport 

 towns, such as Rio de Janeiro — a people only partly civilized, no 

 doubt, but still superior to many other South American Roman 

 Catholics ; admiring their deep religious feeling and careful 

 observance of outward ceremonial ; and having also for some 

 years devoted considerable study to theological matters ; — I feel 

 constrained to give expression to a few thoughts on the subject of 

 religion. While not expressing my own individual views, I make 

 no apology for the sentiments I express, though I fear that fifty 

 out of every hundred readers will each cross out some sentences, 

 till there will be but a skeleton remaining of these paragraphs. I 

 write as a member of the Church of England who yearns for the 

 attainment — which I fear is almost impossible, as what is deemed 

 vital truth by one is termed heresy and error by another — of a 

 modus Vivendi between the various branches of the Christian 

 Church. If, however, any one be induced to make more allow- 



* " Narrative," vol. i. pt. I, pp. 210, 211. London, 1885. 



