LOYALTY. 151 
large family. The old gun has been spiked, and 
will never be used again. 
To return to a more cheerful portion of the 
narrative. The scene presented by the assem- 
blage of people on the Queen's birthday has 
been depicted by a poet of their own. The 
following stanzas by Mr. Nobbs, in one of his 
national songs, produce a pleasing sketch : — 
Ha ! that flash, yon grove illuming, 
Long impervious to the sun ; 
Now the quick report comes booming 
From the ocean-rescued gun. 
Now the bell is gaily ringing, 
Where you white-robed train is seen ; 
Now they all unite in singing, 
God preserve our gracious Queen ! 
In the year 1849, a Frenchman, of a military 
air, and partly military costume, arriving, with 
some other travellers, from the brig Fanny, was 
courteously received hj the islanders. With 
the politeness characteristic of his countrymen, 
he soon engaged in conversation with Mr. 
Nobbs, and, in imperfect English, inquired, 
Whether the people of Pitcairn had heard of 
Prince Louis Napoleon, and the French Re- 
public ? and the next question was, 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 ! 
