DESCRIPTION OF YOUNG ISLANDERS. 125 
he had been accustomed to obey. Apprehension 
for his safety formed no part of his thoughts : 
he had received too many demonstrations of the 
good feeling that existed towards him, both on 
the part of the British Government and of indi- 
viduals, to entertain any alarm on that head ; 
and as every person endeavoured to set his mind 
at rest, he very soon made himself at home. 
" The young men, ten in number, were tall, 
robust, and healthy, with good-natured counte- 
nances which would anywhere have procured 
them a friendly reception ; and with a simplicity 
of manner, and a fear of doing wrong, which at 
once prevented the possibility of giving offence. 
Unacquainted with the world, they asked a 
number of questions, which would have applied 
better to persons with whom they had been inti- 
mate, and who had left them but a short time 
before, than to perfect strangers ; and inquired 
after ships and people we had never heard of. 
Their dress, made up of the presents which had 
been given them by the masters and seamen of 
merchant ships, was a perfect caricature. Some 
had on long black coats, without any other article 
of dress, except trowsers ; some, shirts without 
coats ; and others, waistcoats without either ; 
none had shoes or stockings, and only two pos- 
sessed hats, neither of which seemed likely to 
hang long together." 
The following picture of filial affection, drawn 
by a careful and intelligent observer, is well 
worthy of insertion. Captain Beechey, anxious 
to visit the houses at Pitcairn, rather than pass 
another night at sea, determined to put off with 
