out of fifteen! After this series of bloodshed he appears to have become a sincere penitent, and turned his whole attention towards making atonement for his past misconduct, by bringing up no less than sixty-six young persons in the practice of pure and simple duties, with a success that has gained him a niche in the history of the human race.

From this time the colony, thus singularly and accidentally established, appears to have amalgamated its discordant elements; while the moral and religious improvement of the islanders kept pace with the amelioration of those external circumstances, and the increase of their domestic comforts through industry. Here then was a picture of a peaceful and contented society, on an island where everything harmonized precisely with the wants and wishes of its occupants; and the mind dwelt with delight upon such an " Eden" being in existence. But" ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio," and we are pained to say that the simoom of arrogance and ignorance, engendered by itinerant fanatics, has withered the palmy days of Pitcairn. While Smith lived, his sagacity sufficed for the protection of his flock, but his death in March 1829, left them open to intruders. Of these, one Nobbs, a reptile of the class called "consecrated cobblers," fastened upon them, and in return for corrupt pastoral duties, claimed exemption from labour and right of support: and this, amongst a people more righteous and just than himself, for a man is no more religious from canting perverted scriptural phrases, than a bat is a parrot because it can fly. Nay more, a report is quoted by the author of the "Eventful History," stating that the scouts of those fellows who have usurped the trade, and denounced the amusements of Otaheite, in exchange for disseminating a new religion and establishing a PARLIAMENT, had found their unhallowed way to that sacred bower, and effected its complete destruction, by removing its happy inhabitants to the dram-drinking and vicious allurements of the Society Islands. Here is a melancholy wreck" Babylon in ruins" was nothing in comparison

"The puritan zealot is surely the worst,

For of all rogues, a sanctified rogue is the worst!"

We had thrown down our pen in a passion, but we suddenly remembered that it would be improper to quit the subject without adverting to a very curious circumstance amongst the many, so rife, in the detail of the memorable story of the Bounty. About the year 1809, mysterious whispers were afloat, that a person answering the description of Fletcher Christian had been seen in Cumberland and Westmoreland; and that it was known he had visited an aunt who resided in that vicinity. Indeed, the discordant recitals of his death, given by Smith to his several visitors, add weight to this paradox. It is corroborated moreover by the singular coincidence, that about the same time, Capt. Heywood seeing a man walking before him in Plymouth dock, very like Christian in figure, quickened his pace in order to gain a sight of his face; but the suspicious stranger looking around, and catching the Captain's glance, set off at full speed. Our friend followed involuntarily, the features having strengthened his conjecture, but he lost sight of him, and on reflection was not sorry for it.

It would be singular indeed, should such a suspicion ever be confirmed, either by documentary or other evidence. Cases equally surprising have occurred; and it is even yet matter of doubt, whether all the courts of Europe did not mourn for a bundle of chips, in lieu of the wife of the ill-starred and brutal Czarovitz Alexéy, son of Peter the Great.

SIR WALTER SCOTT.

THERE is, perhaps, no class in the community which owes more obligations to the Great Unknown than our United Service, for his writings have contributed very much to the establishment, or rather, we ought perhaps to say, to the extension of a taste for reading amongst military and naval officers. At first sight, indeed, the peculiar species of writing for which this great author is most distinguished, might not seem calculated to produce the desired effect; but there can be little doubt, that innumerable persons amongst us have been led by the mere witchery of the Waverley novels alone, to discover, for the first time, the pleasure which springs from genuine good-writing. When this point has once been gained, the steps which follow are easy, for if a legitimate taste for reading be once engendered, the desire for knowledge will be sure to grow up, and the supply of information being boundless in extent, as well as in variety, every degree of capacity and every shade of curiosity will find objects to rest upon to good purpose.

Such at least has been the effect which we have witnessed in many instances, both afloat and on shore, where persons who otherwise might never have dreamed of opening a book, have been wound up as it were and set agoing by the magical productions alluded to, and who, when once in motion, have extended the habit to pursuits of more importance and higher public utility.. Independently, however, of so serious a view of the matter, it is certain that Sir Walter Scott's writings have added, in our armies and fleets, most prodigiously to the stock of innocent amusement; and thus, on many occasions, have lightened the burthen of duties which pressed heavily on our shoulders. Such being the case, we are well assured that there is not a man in either profession but will rejoice to learn that an opportunity of returning the compliment in some degree has recently arisen, and been taken advantage of in such a manner, that whatever be the result, the incidents themselves must always be looked back to with satisfaction.

Every one must have heard with sorrow, that our great and excellent favourite has lately suffered from severe attacks of illness, and although we rejoice to say that he has now almost recovered his wonted energy and good spirits, his bodily strength is far from restored. Under these circumstances, his medical advisers deemed it prudent some weeks ago to advise a change of climate, and recommended Naples as the fittest place. The only risk which they apprehended, was in the great length of the land journey, and they accordingly stated, that if possible, he should proceed to Italy by sea. Here, however, some difficulty arose, for it did not appear that there was any ready means of finding suitable accommodation in a merchant vessel, and Sir Walter fancied there might be some indelicacy in requesting a passage in a ship-of-war.

Fortunately, however, his friends were less scrupulous, or at all events they knew better than the worthy Baronet himself the degree of estimation in which he was held by all persons in the country, high as well as low, afloat as well as on land. And one of these gentlemen, we understand, proceeded without delay to the Admiralty, and having requested an interview with the First Lord of the Admiralty, stated that accounts had just been received from Scotland, by which it appeared that the health and perhaps the life of this invaluable servant of the public were considered by his medical attendants to depend upon his obtaining a passage to Italy in a King's ship.

Sir James Graham, in the kindest possible manner, at once undertook that every arrangement should be made for Sir Walter Scott's comfort and convenience; and he even offered, in order to smooth all difficulties, to write himself to Captain Pigot of His Majesty's ship Barham, about to proceed to Malta, to request a passage. He added -and we are sure we may say, with great truth-that he felt perfectly certain there was not an officer in the navy who would not cheerfully make any sacrifice on such an occasion, or who would not consider it an honour, as well as a happiness, to be allowed to take such a passenger.

By Sir James Graham's desire, all this was written off to Abbotsford that evening, but it appears to have occurred to the First Lord next day, that as there might possibly arise some difficulties or doubts on Sir Walter's part as to the expences of his passage, it would be more gratifying to his feelings that no private obligation of any kind should be incurred. With singular propriety, therefore, and we may add, with equal delicacy and good taste, Sir James Graham viewed it as a public question, and laid the whole circumstances before the King. As might have been expected, His Majesty,-always gracious and always kind-hearted,-at once directed that a free passage should be provided for Sir Walter Scott and his family in the very first man-of-war proceeding to the Mediterranean

We are well convinced, indeed, that there never was an act of Royal favour more calculated to be justly and generally popular than this considerate and well-timed attention to an author, whose writings have contributed so extensively, not more to the innocent amusements, than to the solid moral improvement of the country; to say nothing of their influence in extending the national renown "O'er lands and seas,— whatever clime the sun's bright circle warms."

In order to view this interesting matter in its proper bearings, let us only suppose, that in the histories of Queen Elizabeth's reign we were told that Shakspeare, having fallen into bad health, required the renovating aid of a sea voyage, and that good Queen Bess, happily anticipating the wishes of the country, had instantly placed a ship-ofwar at the poet's command, how grateful would all posterity have felt for such an act of grace! Or view it in the opposite light, and suppose, that in consequence of some official inconvenience, or some other petty consideration, the mighty master-spirit of our literature had been denied such accommodation, and been allowed to languish at home, when his health might have been restored by the means alluded to with what feelings of indignation and humiliation should we not have looked back to the loss of such an opportunity!

That the Author of Waverley will be viewed by our posterity in no small degree as we now view Shakspeare, there can be no doubt; and it is, perhaps, not too much to say, that of all the details connected with his private life, there will probably be none which will afford more lasting gratification than those we have just related, though arising from so melancholy a cause.

It must also be a source of very pure satisfaction to the mind of the most amiable of Monarchs, to know that he has been instrumental in restoring the health and prolonging the useful life of so valuable a subject; or even to have aided, in the smallest degree, in improving the comforts of one to whom the nation over which he rules stands so deeply indebted.

It is only necessary to add, that in every company where these circumstances have been mentioned, each individual appears to feel that, by this graceful act of His Majesty, a personal favour has been done to himself. This, indeed, is genuine popularity, and it will wear long and well, for it is of that TRUE BLUE stamp which only gains fresh lustre by the touch of Time.

ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBORDINATION.

IN an age when those around us have learned to trifle with their duties, when the most sacred obligations are violated under the sacrilegious pretext of the welfare of humanity, we deem it highly necessary to expose, in their proper light, the seditious doctrines which, unfortunately, have been imbibed in other countries, even by those whose profession would seem to have specially marked them out as the firm defenders of honour, justice, and conscientious feeling, When men lived in a savage state of nature, isolated from one another though near neighbours, each relying for self-protection solely on physical strength, and with no other end in view than the supply of his physical wants, all pursued their own inclinations, and consumed or destroyed such objects as were subordinate to their brutal will. Finally, however, man, gifted in the superior qualities by the law of his creation, emerged from this savage condition; he began to understand that the interests of his fellow-creatures were, closely linked with his own, and sacrificed a portion of his brute inclination for the security of the law. He thus ceased to exist in an isolated state; he was no longer the victim of his passions, or the prey of his more powerful neighbours.

From the earliest formation of human societies, physical prevailed over moral force, and in order to guard against the abuse of this force by any one portion of the community, the others endeavoured, to cement their powers more firmly together. The general interests of society were considered and discussed, each member contributing to the common stock his share of intelligence and power. Hence the origin of republics. Soon, however, mankind perceived that such a state of things could not be durable: the foibles and the passions inseparable from human nature exerted their influence and anarchy and discord were the natural results. Again were com

menced deliberations, which terminated in blows; physical strength resumed the mastery, and the primitive object of society was still unattained. At length nature herself instructed man, who, by an attentive observation, became convinced that unity was the directing principle of all the varying forms of society: this indivisible power governed the universe; it was the image of the Deity himself; and after a lengthened epoch of disorder and carnage, proved the ultimate source of man's safety. Hence the origin of monarchy.

The organization of society was complicated in proportion to the number of individuals composing it, to the formation of neighbouring societies, to the diffusion of knowledge, and to the developement of the human capacity. Ere long, the heads of societies and socie ties themselves were, with regard to each other, in the same dangerous position in which individuals had been before the formation of societies: they, therefore, felt the same necessity of linking themselves together in a closer bond of unity, and by sacrificing a portion of their will, and submitting to the authority of one, all ensured their safety. Hence the origin of extensive monarchies, and of aristocracy. It must be evident, that for the better regulation of large societies, certain forms and laws were necessary. After the institution of these laws, provision was to be made for their due execution. Hence the origin of the legislative and executive power. At first the executive was the only armed force, because destined to protect the laws against external aggression and internal plots: but soon this principle, on which alone depended the security of societies was neglected, and the propagation of fallacious doctrines led to the arming of every individual capable of bearing arms,-a measure which paved the way for the utter dissolution of societies themselves. If the principle of the executive power be considered, it must be admitted that it is but a chimera, unless established on a perfect system of unity; in other words, unless directed by the will of the sovereign or his delegate. The army is the instrument by which the executive power enforces, both at home and abroad, the respect due to the laws. The military force would be inadequate to discharge the duties with which it is entrusted, were it not guided by a complete system of unity, which daily becomes the more absolute in consequence of the high degree of perfection to which the experience of centuries, and the developement of intelligence, of science, and the arts have now brought the organization of armies. From the necessity which exists for a system of perfect unity in the direction of an armed force, it naturally follows, that the individuals composing such force should implicitly obey one supreme will. It must, therefore, be seen that obedience and subordination are inseparable from the idea of an army. Is it not then lamentable to behold the principle trampled under foot? to reflect that at the present day even military men, who should be the legitimate supporters of order, and the depositaries of the national honour, are the first to forget their sacred duties and to swell the ranks of traitors? The more lamentable we consider this disgraceful circumstance, the more thoroughly are we convinced that it becomes our bounden duty to examine and expose the causes in which it originates.