“A few medicines which were sent from Valparaiso in H. M. S. _Reindeer_ (in 1869) are administered as required, by the pastor. Pitcairn Island is governed by a ‘magistrate and chief ruler in subordination to her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain,’ who not only administers the laws, but also enacts them. There are two councillors to advise and assist the chief magistrate, besides which, the ‘heads of families’ are convened for consultation when required.... The chief magistrate is elected annually on New Year’s day, and is open to reëlection. Both sexes of and above the age of seventeen have a vote. The office is at present filled by Mr. James Russell McCoy, who is also steersman of the only boat on the island.... Divine service is held every Sunday at 10:30 A. M. and at three P. M., ... and it is conducted strictly in accordance with the liturgy of the Church of England, by Mr. Simon Young, their selected pastor, who is much respected. A Bible class is held every Wednesday, when all who conveniently can, attend. There is also a general meeting for prayer on the first Friday of every month. Family prayers are said in every house the first thing in the morning and the last thing in the evening, and no food is partaken of without asking God’s blessing before and afterwards. Captain Beechy, writing fifty-three years ago, says: ‘These excellent people appear to live together in perfect harmony and contentment, to be virtuous, religious, cheerful, and hospitable, to be patterns of conjugal and paternal affection, and to have very few vices.’ I have ventured to quote those words, as they hold true to this day, the children having followed in the footsteps of their parents. “The observance of Sunday is very strict; no work is done; but this is not in any pharisaical spirit, as shown on the occasion of our visit, which chanced to be on a Sunday, when everything consistent with not neglecting divine service was done to supply us with refreshments for the crew, the chief magistrate arguing that it was a good work, and necessary, as the ship could not wait. Of these islanders’ religious attributes no one can speak without deep respect. A people whose greatest privilege and pleasure is to commune in prayer with their God, and to join in hymns of praise, and who are, moreover, cheerful, diligent, and probably freer from vice than any other community, need no priest among them. The pastor also fulfills the duty of schoolmaster, in which he is assisted by his daughter, Rosalind Amelia Young. The instruction comprises reading, writing, arithmetic, Scripture history, and geography. The girls are taught sewing and hat making as well, and the whole are taught part singing very effectively.... Schooling is conducted in the church house, one end of which is used as a library, open to all. English is the only language spoken or known. [And a corruption of the same.]... [Illustration: GROUP OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.]