1846.] Notice of the Nicobar Islands. 361 



The Jesuits, about two hundred years ago, were the first who brought 

 to those Islanders, the light of the Gospel : their exertions were crown- 

 ed with success at Car-Nicobar, but these Missionaries being anxious 

 to give the same benefit to the other islands, went thither on that pur- 

 pose. Their zeal was rewarded with the crown of martyrdom. The 

 neophytes being left to themselves, fell again into their former paganism. 



In the beginning of this century, an Italian clergyman was sent from 

 Rangoon to Car-Nicobar, his zeal, charity, and simplicity of manner in 

 his living, gained him the hearts of the natives ; several of them were 

 baptized ; and there is very little doubt, that the whole island would 

 have been converted, had he not caught the fever, in consequence of 

 which, he had to return to Rangoon, where he died shortly after his 

 arrival. 



In 1835, two French clergymen were sent by the Bishop of the 

 Straits to the same island. The natives were shy at first, but after a few 

 days of intercourse, they shewed a more friendly disposition, and allowed 

 them to build a house. The Missionaries found that their frequent 

 communication with foreigners was far from having improved their man- 

 ners. They were no more that simple, innocent, and harmless people 

 as they were formerly represented to be. When the natives became 

 more acquainted with the missionaries, they paid them frequent visits ; 

 bringing with them trifling presents, such as yams, fowls, &c, some of 

 them being anxious to learn the Christian religion, went every evening 

 to their house to be instructed : after a few months' residence there, the 

 priest had gained so much the affection of the people, that their house 

 was crowded every day ; and they were permitted to visit all the parts 

 of the island without excepting even their inland establishments, where 

 they keep their most valuable articles : a privilege which had never 

 hitherto been granted to any foreigner. Every thing went on prosper- 

 ously, until the arrival of a Cholia vessel, whose Nakoda, by misrepre- 

 senting the character of the priests, withdrew from them the confidence 

 of the natives. He told them, that the Missionaries were English spies 

 sent there, for the purpose of enquiring into the produce of the country, 

 and that in consequence of the information furnished by them, that 

 Government would soon take possession of their islands. The Nico- 

 barians having given credit to this tale, would hold no more communi- 

 cation with them nor sell them any provisions : two of the natives who 



