QUEEN VICTORIA'S BIRTHDAY. 149 
probably continue to be at Norfolk Island such 
as they were at Pitcairn. 
Some little misunderstandings occasionally 
arise as to boundaries but these as well as 
such other matters of dispute as now and then 
occur, are generally soon settled by the chief 
magistrate and the two councillors. 
The owners of "this sceptred isle," 
" This precious stone set in the silver sea," 
avow a hearty allegiance to the Queen of Eng- 
land. Her Majesty's birthday is observed as 
an occasion of much joy. All the people as- 
semble near the church, in holiday apparel ; the 
bell is set ringing, and old and young unite in 
singing loyal songs in honour of the day. By 
their Pastor's account, not only the cheerful bell 
is heard on this festive day, but it had been 
usual to introduce the deep-mouthed gun to 
assist at the solemnity. The history of this gun 
is curious, and, in some respects, painful. It 
once belonged to the Bounty, and was fished up 
from the bottom of the sea in 1845, with one 01 
its companions, which had been spiked, and 
which was therefore useless. The better of the 
two, after remaining many fathoms deep for 
five-and-fifty years, was much honeycombed, 
and, when brought into use, was generally used 
with caution. 
It has been stated above, that H.M. steamer 
Virago left Callao for Pitcairn, early in 1853, 
on an errand of kindness. She arrived at the 
island on the 24th of January. The officers 
