Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, Supplement (1/3/1895)

Signs of the Times

Jan 3, 1895

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Jan 3, 1895

"THE STORY OF PITCAIRN ISLAND."

By Editor

THE following quotation from an article a column and a half in length in Harper's Weekly, of Dec. 8, 1894, shows something of the interest manifested in Pitcairn Island, the "Gem of the Pacific." The article was written by Henry R. Palmer, and, after referring to a visit recently made to Pitcairn by a sea captain, he says:—

"There is no more picturesque incident, perhaps, in the annals of marine venture than the mutiny on board the British ship Bounty, in 1789, and the subsequent landing of several of the mutineers on Pitcairn Island, a speck of land which had been discovered some years before by Carteret, and named for the midshipman, who first descried it from the masthead. These mutineers, fearing punishment, resolved to hide themselves from the world, and, accordingly, sought out this lonely spot, and, together with a number of Polynesian men and women, founded a community far from the ordinary track of commerce. At first, according to the scant historical accounts which have come down to us, there was riot and reveling on the island, but gradually the rougher element in the population disappeared, and, when the American vessel Topaze rediscovered the little settlement, in 1808, it seems to have been orderly and prosperous.

PITCAIRN AVENUE. Specimen Half-tone Illustration from "Story of Pitcairn Island."

"For more than half a generation the whereabouts of the mutineers of the Bounty had been a mystery, and their rediscovery at this time aroused a good deal of interest, especially in England. It was as if the sea had given up its dead. Everything pertaining to the little strip of land in the far Pacific was hailed with interest. . . .

"In a few weeks another volume is to be published in California by the Seventh-day Adventists, who have recently succeeded in converting the islanders to their faith. Formerly they were associated with the Church of England.

"The community to-day is a model one in many respects. Since the time of the hardy mutineers a great change has taken place, and it is said that nobody on the island ever indulges in intoxicants, tobacco, or profanity. A rude church and schoolhouse has been erected, and one of the descendants of the early settlers preaches regularly to all the members of the settlement, for church going is regarded as a matter of course on Pitcairn, and, moreover, there are not very many other divertisements. When it is remembered that there are only about one hundred and thirty people on the entire island, and that the island is scarcely three miles in length, it is easy to understand the lack of excitement which sometimes characterizes life there."

"The primary school is taught by Miss Rosa Young, a native of Pitcairn, and the author of the book descriptive of the island which is about to be published. She is the island editor as well as schoolteacher, writing a chronicle of the community from time to time, which passes from one to another of the people. There is no printing press on the island, and this is the only contemporary record of its doings enjoyed by the settlement. But then, with only 130 people to keep track of, doubtless everybody who is so inclined contrives to be pretty well posted. . . . In these days of hurry and bustle it is refreshing to catch a glimpse of an Arcadian community like this, whose little world is far removed from all our modern tendencies in civilization. There are no telephones or telegraphs on Pitcairn Island. No oceanic cable brings from the distant mainland the tidings of war or catastrophe on the other side of the globe."

The book referred to by Mr. Palmer in the above quotation is entitled "The Story of Pitcairn Island," and has already been advertised in these columns, and, although it has been out but a few weeks, the first edition has been exhausted, and a second edition is now ready.

The illustration shown herewith is one of the twenty-six which adorn the pages of the book. It is printed on fine, heavy calendered paper, contains 256 pages, is neatly bound in vellum cloth, and will be sent, postpaid, for $1.00.

Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; New York City.

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