MANNER OF GOVERNMENT. 143 
question, Would they enlist themselves under 
it ? Suiting the action to the word, he took 
a paper for signatures from his pocket. 
He was briefly answered by Mr. Nobbs's 
quietly pointing to the English flag, which 
waved in the wind over their heads ; 
" The flag that braved a thousand years, 
The battle and the breeze ! " 
The Pastor then assured him, that they 
knew all about Louis Napoleon, and the 
French Republic ; but that all the people on 
the island were faithful subjects of Victoria, 
Queen of England. The Frenchman again 
bowed, begged pardon, returned the paper 
to his pocket, and explained, that " he did 
not know Pitcairn was a colony." 
Though it is not a colony, it is entirely 
English; and such a loyal and united com- 
munity, as a whole, cannot be found in any 
of the colonies or dependencies of the British 
empire. The English union-jack is hoisted 
on all grand occasions ; and to England the 
people would look for protection, should any 
attempt be made to disturb their position. 
But who would think of disturbing so in- 
offensive and so poor a settlement ? 
