THE CHAPLAIN'S ACCOUNT. 407 
fruitful source of gain in a fine species of stone 
suited for filters. This ingenious person found the 
quarry, excavated the stones, and formed them 
into the shape of filters. This filter, or drip- 
stone, containing about four gallons, is invalu- 
able for a whale ship ; and these hollowed stones 
actually fetch from 4 to 5 each. The people are 
also enabled to manufacture soap, for which they 
find a sale among the whalers visiting the island. 
The last letter received from the Rev. G. H. 
Nobbs, dated Norfolk Island, October 20th, 
1859, gives the following account: 
" On the 27th of December last, a ship named 
Secibird, belonging to McNamara and Co., of 
Sydney, left this place; my son Edwin taking 
a passage in her at the request of Sir William 
Denison. By this ship I forwarded to your 
address a basket of Fiji manufacture, containing 
various ornaments and mats of heathen origin, 
and which I thought would serve as subjects for 
lectures ; there were also two photograph en- 
gravings, suitable for the Norfolk Island portion 
of your book ; letters to Admiral Moresby, Sir 
Thomas Acland, Mrs. Heywood, and other 
valued friends ; and, lastly, several original 
papers, to wit, a sermon preached before the 
Governor-General, some verses, entitled, ' The 
Coral Isles/* with a string of notes appended, 
and a variety of other pieces. 
" On the 2d of last December, two families, 
those of Mayhew Young and Moses Young, left 
this place for Pitcairn's, in a schooner of eighty 
tons, called the Mary Anne. Of these persons, 
For these clever and spirited verses, see page 357* 
