DESCRIPTION OF NORFOLK ISLAND. 245 
to state, that Her Majesty expressed her gratifi- 
cation at receiving this mark of loyalty and 
esteem from her subjects on Pitcairn's Island." 
The Queen's gracious recognition of the 
islanders as her subjects was much valued by 
them. They had been previously informed that 
a formal document, declaring them a part of 
Her Majesty's dominions, might imply doubts 
which did not really exist. 
The reader will have observed that the people 
had made a request to be removed to some 
spot, exempt from the visitations of famine; 
and that Norfolk Island, which, they under- 
stood, was no longer to be a penal settle- 
ment, had been pointed out by themselves as 
the scene of their future residence.* This island, 
which is situate on the 29th parallel of south 
latitude, north of New Zealand, is thus described 
by the Eev. F. S. Batchelor, who resided there 
between three and four years. 
" The island is about twenty miles in cir- 
cumference, with an average breadth of five 
or six miles. It is beautifully diversified with 
hills and dales, or, as the latter are generally 
designated, ' gullies ; ' and these low lands are 
exuberantly fertile. On the same plot of earth 
are growing pine-apples, figs, guavas, lemons, 
pomegranates, Cape-gooseberries, bananas, plan- 
tains, grapes, peaches, strawberries, apples, 
quinces, potatoes, cabbages, peas, and beans. 
Cinnamon and other spices abound ; while 
tobacco, arrow-root, red pepper and sweet pota- 
toes, can be cultivated to any extent. Maize,. 
* See page 233. 
