226 LETTER OF THE REV. W. HOLMAN. 
nights I have always visitors, who come 
to hear me talk of a world of which they 
know nothing beyond their own island. 
" The accounts of the virtue and piety of 
these people are by no means exaggerated. 
I have no doubt they are the most religious 
and virtuous community in the world ; and 
during the month I have been here, I have 
seen nothing approaching a quarrel, but 
perfect peace and good- will amongst all." 
This part of the history cannot be con- 
cluded without an animated account by one 
of the voyagers, which brings the narrative 
down to Mr. Nobbs's arrival at Valparaiso, 
on his way to England : 
" He has officiated as minister during the 
last twenty-three years, greatly to the satis- 
faction of the islanders, if one may judge by 
the respect and affection which they enter- 
tain for him. We brought Mr. Nobbs as far 
as Valparaiso. More than one meeting was 
held by the elders, before they could bring 
themselves to consent to his leaving them, 
though only for a few months. At last their 
anxiety to have a regularly ordained clergy- 
man prevailed. We found these excellent 
