LETTER FROM THE REV. G. H. NOBBS. 239 
is at this moment fretting like a curbed horse 
under our stern, waiting for the Admiral's 
despatches." 
Mr. Nobbs's own account of his return, and 
of the state of the island, cannot fail to prove 
interesting. 
ft PITCAIRN'S ISLAND, July 21, 1853. 
" It has pleased our heavenly Father to per- 
mit me to return in safety to my island home, 
and to a happy meeting with my family. I 
arrived here in H.M.S. Portland on the 15th of 
May, bringing with me my son and daughter. 
Admiral Moresby has continued to the last an 
untiring benefactor, to myself in particular, and 
the islanders in general. The expense and 
trouble he has put himself to on our account 
would almost exceed belief; his reward is with 
Him who doeth all things well. We landed on 
the Sabbath; and after the evening service, 
when Mr. Holman preached his farewell sermon, 
I read from the pulpit my ordination letters and 
licence as Chaplain of Pitcairn Island, granted 
me by my honoured patron, the Lord Bishop of 
London. The Portland remained off the island 
four days, and then left us for the Gambier 
Islands. The next day after her departure, the 
influenza made its appearance; and as there 
were two or three persons on board the Portland 
who were affected with bronchitis, I am inclined 
to think the germs of the disease were derived 
from them. Unfortunately, the wind was from 
the north-west, and the atmosphere was very 
dense and heated, which acted as fuel to the 
contagion ; and so rapid was its progress, that 
Q 
