294 A WEEK AT PITCAIRN. 
when listening to Jenny Lind. This may seem 
going too far ; and so may many other of the 
statements I make in speaking of the Pitcairn 
Islanders. I came prepared to do them justice, 
it is true; but no more, for I could not help 
believing that there must be some exaggeration 
in the florid accounts given by voyagers who 
had touched at their island. I came, therefore, 
with a mind disposed to test and to criticise; 
and I leave them with the feeling that few, if 
any, of their qualities would not stand the 
severest test ; and that their conduct generally, 
that is, on all main points, may triumphantly 
challenge the severest criticism. This is my 
deliberate opinion, after having been domesti- 
cated among them for a week, and with every 
opportunity given me for arriving at a just con- 
clusion ; going in and out of the houses at any 
hour I chose, and asking any questions I thought 
proper ; seeing them, too, in their joy, and after- 
wards in their affliction; 
Captain Prevost having offered to take 
all the inhabitants round the island in the 
Virago, under steam, on the following day 
(Tuesday), the offer was joyfully accepted ; and 
at about ten o'clock the next morning our own 
boats and their whale-boat brought successive 
cargoes of men, women, and children on board, 
until only six people were left on the island. 
We then got under weigh, and slowly steamed 
from point to point, and in about an hour again 
anchored in Bounty Bay, where, after having 
had some cake and wine, the Islanders were 
safely landed. The engine-room afforded con- 
