It is perhaps as well the visitor should be his own guide about the islands, leaving it to chance to direct his footsteps. After an inspection of the more prominent objects, such as may be taken in at a glance from the little church, I wandered at will, encountering at every few steps some new surprise. Some one says, if we seek for pleasure it is pretty sure to elude our pursuit, coming, oftener to us unawares, and the more unexpected the higher the gratification. It was in some such mood I stumbled, to speak literally, on the old burial-place of the islands. I am aware that one does not, as a rule, seek enjoyment in a grave-yard; but I have ever found an unflagging interest in deciphering the tablets of a buried city or hamlet. These stones may be sententious or loquacious, pompous or humble, and sometimes grimly merry. Our German friends call the church-yard "God's Field." Here are no inscriptions, except on the horizontal slabs of Tucke and Stephens. There is no difference between the rough stones protruding from the ground and the fragments strewn broadcast about the little house-lots. So far as this inclosure is concerned, the annals of the hamlet are as a closed book. The instinct which bids you forbear treading on a grave is at fault here. It requires sharp eyes and a close scrutiny to discover that some effort has been made to distinguish this handful of graves by head and foot stones; that some are of greater and some of lesser length; or that the little hollows and hillocks have their secret meaning. The two shepherds lie at the head of their little fold, in vaults composed of the rude masses found ready at hand. For fear their inscriptions might one day be effaced, I transcribed them: In Memory of THE REV. JOSIAH STEPHENS, A faithful Instructor of Youth, and pious Minister of Jesus Christ. Supported on this Island by the Society for Propagating the Gospel, who died July 2, 1804. Aged 64 years. * * * * * Likewise of MRS. SUSANNAH STEPHENS, his beloved Wife, who died Dec. 7, 1810. Aged 54 years. * * * * * Underneath are the Remains of THE REV. JOHN TUCKE, A.M. He graduated at Harvard College, A.D. 1723, Was ordained here July 26, 1732, And died Aug. 12, 1773. Æt. 72. He was affable and polite in his manner, Amiable in his disposition, Of great piety and integrity, given to hospitality, Diligent and faithful in his pastoral office. Well learned in History and Geography, as well as General Science, And a careful Physician both to the bodies and the souls of his People. Erected 1800. In Memory of the Just.