LETTER OF THE ADMIRAL'S SECRETARY. 205 
rocks, where you think nothing can save them 
from being dashed to pieces, the surf seems so 
powerful; but in a moment they are on their 
legs, and prepared for another slide. Their 
method of fishing is equally dangerous ; the 
women walk upon the rocks until they see a 
squid; then watching the retreating sea, they 
run in and try to pick the squid up before the 
advancing surf can wash them off; but frequently 
they are washed off, and then they have to exert 
all their skill to land, for they have no surf- 
board to help them. 
" Christmas Day is a grand feast, and they 
keep it up in good style: but the Queen's 
birthday is their grand day ; it is kept up 
with feasting and dancing (the only day they 
are allowed to dance on the island), and all 
sorts of merriment. Among the first questions 
everybody asks is, How is her Majesty the 
Queen ? 
" Away, away ! we are off to the world again, 
truly sorry to leave this island ; their happiness 
in this life consists wholly in virtue, and their 
virtue is their truest pleasure. They think that 
(and how really true it is !) the more religious 
and virtuous you become, the happier you are ; 
deeming every sin to take from your enjoyment 
in this and the after life. If we were to take 
away the credit due to them of leading so good 
a life from principle, they would still continue, 
as they know that true pleasure is only to be 
obtained by obeying the will of God. Their 
temperance and industry give them health, food, 
and cheerfulness ; it gains for them universal 
