132 EARL WALDEGRAVE'S ACCOUNT. 
purity and peace, so that each person, at his 
death, may quit this world in the expectation 
of being for ever in heaven, through the 
merits of Jesus Christ. It was with very 
great satisfaction that I observed the Chris- 
tian simplicity of these natives. They ap- 
peared to have no guile. Their cottages 
were open to all, and all were welcome to 
their food ; the pig, the fowl, was killed and 
dressed instantly ; the beds were ready ; 
each was willing to show any and every part 
of the island. Before they began a meal, all 
joined hands in the attitude of prayer, with 
eyes raised to heaven, and one recited a 
simple grace, grateful for the present food, 
but beseeching spiritual nourishment. Each 
answered, Amen, and after a pause the meal 
began. At the conclusion, another grace was 
offered up. Should any one arrive during 
the repast, all ceased to eat. The new guest 
said grace, to which each repeated, Amen, 
and then the meal continued." 
There having been the fear of a dearth of 
water atPitcairn in 1831, the people, eighty- 
seven in number, were removed from the 
island, by order of the British Government, 
