146 THE PITCAIRNEES' DAY. 
sweeten liberty," they have their needful food, 
and their childish amusements. They are fond 
of flying kites, and of games at ball ; though 
the want of room on the island imposes a limit 
on the nature and number of the out-of-door 
diversions both of young and old. 
The occupation of the men consists in culti- 
vating their land ; looking after their gardens ; 
building and improving their houses, which are 
neat, clean, and commodious; rearing stock; 
fencing in their plantations; manufacturing hats 
from the leaf of the palm ; making fancy boxes, 
&c., which they keep in store for barter with 
whalers, or other vessels which may call at 
Pitcairn for refreshment. 
At about twelve o'clock they have a plain 
and substantial breakfast, or dinner, consisting 
of yarns and potatoes, made into a kind of 
bread, for which they do not fail to ask God's 
blessing, and to render Him thanks. 
" Hand of bounty, largely spread, 
By whom, our every want is fed ; 
Whate'er we touch, or taste, or see, 
We owe them all, O Lord, to Thee." 
HEBER. 
So strict is their observance of the duty of say- 
ing grace before and after meals, that " we do 
not know," says Captain Beechey, " of any in- 
stance in which it has been forgotten. On one 
occasion I had engaged Adams in conversation, 
and he incautiously took the first mouthful 
without having said his grace; but before he 
had swallowed it, he recollected himself, and, 
feeling as if he had committed a crime, imme- 
