In the Introduction to his Work, and in reference to the above interesting portion of his narrative, the Author observes

"WITH respect to the extraordinary circumstance, mentioned in the narrative of the sudden subsiding of the surf, when we were about committing ourselves to the open sea in our shattered boat; I am aware it will be the subject of much comment, and probably of some raillery I was advised by a friend to suppress this fact, lest those who are not disposed to believe in the particular interposition of Divine Providence, should make use of it, as an argument against the correctness of the other part of my narrative.-This probably would have been good policy in me as a mere Author, for I am pretty sure that previous to this signal mercy, I myself would have entertained a suspicion of the veracity of a writer, who should have related what to me would have appeared such an improbable occurrence. Sentiments and feelings however of a very different kind from any that mere worldly interest can excite, forbid me to suppress or deny what so clearly appeared to me and my companions at the time, as the immediate, and merciful act of the Almighty, listening to our prayers and granting our petition at the awful moment when dismay, dispair, and death were pressing close upon us with all their accumulated horrors. My heart still glows 'with holy gratitude for his mercy, and I will never be ashamed nor afraid to acknowledge and make known to the world the infinite goodness of my Divine Creator and Preserver. "The Waters of the sea had well nigh covered us: "the proud waves had well nigh gone over our soul: "Then cried we unto thee, O Lord! and thou didst

"deliver us out of our distresses. Thou didst send "forth thy commandment; and the windy storm was "turned into a calm."

"THE Rhetians, from the most savage, have become the most gentle of all the mountain Tribes, and have for a long succession of ages continued to distinguish themselves by their innocence, simplicity, and benevolence and few travellers, have, I believe traversed the Rhetian Alps, without having witnessed some instances of these amiable virtues. It is indeed fortunate that Religion has penetrated these fastnesses, impervious to human power, and spread her influence over Solitudes where human laws are of no avail: that where precaution is impossible, and resistance useless, she conducts the Traveller secure under her protection, through all the dangers of the way.

"In fact, while rapidly skimming the edge of a precipice, or winding cautiously along under the loose masses of an impending cliff, the traveller trembles to think that a single touch might bury him under a crag precipitated from above, or the start of a horse purposely alarmed, hurl him into the abyss below, and give the ruffian a safe opportunity of preying upon his plunder: When in such situations, the Traveller reflects upon his security, and recollects that these mountains, so savage, and so well adapted to the purposes of Murderers and Banditti, have not in the memory of men been stained by human blood, he ought to do justice. to the cause, and gratefully acknowledge the beneficent influence of Religion."

DISCOVERY OF

PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

From Lieutenant Shillibeer's Voyage in the Briton

Ir may be necessary to preface this entertaining extract, with a cursory view of Captain Bligh's voyage to Otaheite, in the Bounty, in the year 1788, whither he was sent by Government to convey the Bread-Fruit tree to the West-Indies. In this voyage, he was accompanied by a Mr. Fletcher Christian, as his chief mate. Soon after the Bounty had sailed from Otaheite, (where she arrived in safety, and procured the object of her voyage,) the crew, headed by Christian, mutinied, and forced the Captain, his Officers, and a few of the seamen into an open boat, who, after enduring the most unprecedented hardships, arrived at Timor The Mutineers immediately on the departure of their Captain, steered for Otaheite-and from that time, a space of 26 years, no intelligence of them, that could be relied upon, had ever transpired.

Having given this little introductory matter, we will proceed to Lieutenant Shillibeer's narrative, not doubting, but it will prove as interresting to our readers as it did to us.

EXTRACT.

"We left the friendly Marquesans on the 2nd of Sep. tember, 1814, and were proceeding on our voyage to re gain the port of Valparaiso, steering a course which ought, according to the charts and every other authority, to have carried us nearly 3 degrees of longitude to the eastward of Pitcairn's Island, when our surprize was greatly excited by its sudden and unexpected appearance. It was in the second watch when we made it.

At day light we proceeded to a more close examination, and soon perceived huts, cultivation, and people; of the latter, some were making signs, others launching their little canoes through the surf, into which they threw themselves with great dexterity, and pulled towards us.

At this moment I believe neither Captain Bligh (of the Bounty,) nor Christian, had entered any of our thoughts, and in waiting the approach of the strangers, we prepared to ask them some questions in the language of those we had so recently left. They came-and for me to picture the wonder, which was conspicuous in every countenance, at being hailed in perfect English, what was the name of the ship, and who commanded her, would be impossible-our surprize can alone be conceived. The Captain answered, and now a regular conversation commenced. He requested them to come alongside, and the reply was, “We "have no boat-hook to hold on by." "I will throw 'you a rope," said the Captain. "If you do we have "nothing to make it fast to," was the answer. However, they at length came on board, exemplifying not the least fear, but their astonishment was unbounded.

After the friendly salutation of good morrow Sir, from the first man who entered, (Mackey) for that was his name, "Do you know," said he, "one Wil"liam Bligh, in England?" This question threw a new light on the subject, and he was immediately asked if he knew one Christian, and the reply was given with so much natural simplicity, that I shall here use his proper words, "Oh yes," said he, "very "well, his son is in the boat there coming up, his name is Friday Fletcher October Christian, His "father is dead now he was shot by a black fellow." Several of them had now reached the ship, and the

scene was become exceedingly interesting, every one betrayed the greatest anxiety to know the ultimate fate of that misled young man, of whose end so many vague reports had been in circulation, and those who did not ask questions, devoured with avidity every word which led to an elucidation of the mysterious termination of the unfortunate Bounty.

The questions which were now put were numerous, and as I am inclined to believe their being arranged with their specific answers, will convey to the reader, the circumstance as it really took place, with greater force than a continued relation, I shall adopt that plan, and those occurrences which did not lead immediately to the end of Christian, and the establishment of the colony, I will relate faithfully as they transpired. Question. Christian you say was shot?

Answer. Yes he was.

Q. By whom?

A. A black fellow shot him.

Q. What cause do you assign for the murder?

A. I know no reason, except a jealousy which I have heard then existed between the people of Otaheite and the English-Christian was shot in the back while at work in his yam plantation.

Q. What became of the man who killed him?

A. Oh! that black fellow was shot afterwards by an Englishman.

Q. Was there any other disturbance between the Otaheiteans and English, after the death of Christian?

A. Yes, the black fellows rose, shot two Englishmen, and wounded John Adams, who is now the only remaining man who came in the Bounty.

Q. How did Adams escape being murdered?

A. He hid himself in the wood, and the same night the women, enraged at the murder of the English, to

O-VOL. I.