LOYALTY. 139 
and, in imperfect English, inquired, Whether 
the people of Pitcairn had heard of Prince Louis 
Napoleon, and the French Republic? and, as 
the next question, 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 ! " 
The Pastor then assured him, that they knew 
all about Louis Napoleon, and the French Re- 
public ; but that all the people on the island 
were faithful subjects of Victoria, Queen of 
England. The Frenchman again bowed, begged 
pardon, returned the paper to his pocket, and 
explained, that " he did not know Pitcairn was 
a colony." 
Though it is not a colony, it is entirely 
English ; and such a loyal and united commu- 
nity, as a whole, cannot be found in any of the 
colonies or dependencies of the British empire. 
The English union-jack is hoisted on all grand 
occasions ; and to England the people would 
look for protection, should any attempt be made 
to disturb their position. But who would think 
of disturbing so inoffensive and so poor a set- 
tlement ? 
Their leading man is a magistrate, who is 
elected on the first of January every year, by a 
general vote of males and females who have 
attained the age of eighteen years. Married 
