PREFACE. Ix 
habits and happy lives of the people, were less 
surprised at his wish to return to them as soon 
as his errand should be accomplished. 
The particulars of his return will be found 
stated in the body of this work. His life and 
conversation among the islanders, since his 
appointment as their Chaplain, and a Missionary 
of the Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel, are sufficiently shown in the following 
extract of a letter from a leading member of the 
community, who was the chief magistrate of 
Pitcaim in 1854. This worthy and intelligent 
person is a grandson of the original John 
Adams. 
"PITCAIRN'S ISLAND, Oct. 1854. 
" Had it not been for the many valuable 
lessons we have learned, from the liberal supply 
of books which we from time to time have 
received from the Society to which you have the 
honour to belong, 1 doubt if the present state of 
education now existing among us would have 
been attained. You will doubtless be rejoiced 
to learn, that your Society has been the means 
of diffusing much Christian Knowledge among 
us, and that we are not insensible of the immense 
debt of love and gratitude we owe you. 
