LETTER OF THE ADMIRAL'S SECRETARY. 213 
town, meeting here and there detachments 
coming towards us. These all followed in our 
wake ; and Joy the time we reached Mr. Nobbs's 
cottage, which is situated "at the opposite end of 
the town, we had pretty well all the people 
after us. 
" Never were seen so many happy smiling 
faces, all eager to look at the first admiral that 
ever came to their happy island; but not one 
tried to push his way, or make any attempt to 
get before another. If we said a kind word to 
any of them, they looked so happy and pleased! 
and we did not neglect to do so. There is not 
one in whose face good humour, virtue, amia- 
bility, and kindness does not beam, and con- 
sequently not one whose face is not pleasing. 
4 'It was now church- time, and away we all 
went to church. Mr. Nobbs officiated, and read 
the prayers impressively and earnestly: the most 
solemn attention was paid by all. They sang 
two hymns in most magnificent style ; and 
really I have never heard any church singing 
in any part of the world that could equal it, 
except at cathedrals ; and the whole of the 
credit is due to Mr. Carleton, who was left 
behind by accident from a whaler. 
u They all like to dress like English people, 
if they can, on Sundays. The women complain 
that they cannot get shoes ; but all the men can 
get them from the whalers. During the week, 
their dress consists chiefly of a dark-blue petti- 
coat, and a white kind of shirt, for the women : 
and for the men loose shirt and trousers. Their 
food consists chiefly of yams, cocoa-nuts, bananas* 
