136 QUEEN VICTORIA'S BIETHDAY. 
means of spreading Christianity and civiliza- 
tion throughout the numerous groups of islands 
in the Southern Pacific. 
By the last accounts received, the number of 
persons inhabiting Pitcairn's island was 172 : 
namely, 85 males, and 87 females. All are 
natives of the place except three : the Kev. Geo. 
H. Nobbs, John BufTett, and John Evans. The 
only surnames on the island are eight : namely, 
Adams, Christian, M'Coy, Quintall, Young, 
Buffett, Evans, and Nobbs. Brown, Martin, 
and Williams, had no children ; none of the 
Otaheitan men had any children. John Mills 
left no son. 
The original division of the island was into 
nine parts, between the nine mutineers ; it is 
now subdivided into twenty-one, the present 
number of families. Some little misunderstand- 
ings 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 sceptered isle," 
" This precious stone set in the silver sea," 
avow a hearty allegiance to the Queen of Eng- 
land. Her Majesty's birth-day 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 
was heard ; but it had been usual to introduce 
the deep-mouthed gun to assist at the solemnity. 
