lancholy and painful state, nature ftill remained his onlý comfort and relief. He used to be carried to his museum, where he viewed the treafures which he had collected with fo much labour, and manifested a parti. cular delight in examining the rari ties and new productions, which, during the latter part of his life, had been brought him by M. Mutis from Carthagena and New Grenada, and by his other pupils from the Cape of Good Hope and Asia. (To be concluded in our next.) NARRATIVE OF THE ADVENTURES OF THE MUTINEERS ONBOARD HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BOUNTY AFTER THEIR SEPARATION FROM CAPTAIN BLIGH. OUR readers well know the hif tory of this mutiny by the interefting account published by Captain Bligh after his return home, It happened on the 28th of April 1789, at a little distance from Tofoa, one of the Friendly Iflands. The mutineers who kept poffeffion of the Bounty were in all 25, and the most able men of the fhip's company, viz. Fletcher Chriftian, mafter's matePeter Heywood, Edward Young and George Stewart, midshipmen, Charles Churchill, mafter at arms, John Mills, gunner's mate, James Morrifon, Boatswain's mate, Thomas Burkitt, Matthew Quintal, John Sumner, John Milward, William M'Koy, Henry Kilbrant, Alexander Smith, William Mufprat, Michael Byrne, Thomas Elifon, John Williams, Ifaac Martin, Matthew Thomson and Richard Skinner feamen, William Brown, gardener, Jofeph Coleman, armourer, Charles Norman, and Thomas M'Intofh, carpenter's mates. The three laft, with Ifaac Martin, were detained contrary to their inclination. When Captain Bligh was turned adrift and the Bounty fet fail, fome of Chriftian's party cried out, "Huzza, for Otaheite," which gave him much offence, as he dreaded the Captain's following him thither. In order therefore to deceive the boat, they fteered W. N. W. but as foon as the launch was out of fight, made for Otaheite. Remorse feems to have feized Ed. Mag. June 1796. 3 I Chriftian the moment he had committed the attrocious deed. He became penfive, while a few of the others began to laugh and joke about the difmal fituation of the Captain and his companions. This raillery, increased Christian's agitation, which became fo great that he was unable to conceal it. He ftaid on deck till the launch was out of fight, but he never looked at it without the ftrongest emotions. He began to be afraid even of his own party, and when he went down to the cabin to examine the ftores, he enjoined Churchill and Heywood to stay on deck and be particularly vigilant. The thought of what was paft prevented them of thinking of what was to come. They were now returning to Otaheite, but never once confulted among themselves what they should fay to the natives. Indeed Churchhill hinted fomething of it to Chrif tian, but he seemed quite indifferent about the matter, imagining that any ftory they thought proper to tell would be credited by the natives. They were determined not to ftop at any of the Iflands, but make the utmost expedition to reach Otaheite.The weather however becoming tempeftuous, and the wind unfavourable, they were obliged to anchor at an Island about feven leagues from their intended port. They tarried here three days, during which time they faw no inhabitants, and the land wore a dreary appearance. Having now a fresh a fresh breeze, they weighed and ftood for Otaheite. While paffing Annamooka they were vifited by feveral canoes from the neighbouring iflands. Thefe natives, who knew them, expreffed great astonishment at their return, while Chriflian pretended that fome very urgent reafons required their longer stay at Otaheite. Nothing material occurred during the remainder of their paffage. All the mutineers agreed that Chriftian fhould take the command, which at first he feemed to decline, withing to refign it to Stewart. He however accepted it, while Stewart acted under him. On their approaching the island he ordered every man to remain under arms, left the Captain might have contrived to visit fome of the neighbouring diftricts, and communicated his misfortunes, more particularly to Tinah, a chief of Otaheite, who was exceedingly partial to him. Chrif, tian of courfe knew that the natives would be inclined to take his part, and perhaps unite their force to recover the veffel. These apprehen fions were foon removed by Churchhill, who remarked the impoffibility of Captain Bligh's reaching Otaheite, or any of the adjoining iflands, with out their obferving the launch; notwithstanding, it was deemed advisable that they should all remain on their guard. As foon as they were in fight of Otaheite feveral of the natives came off in canoes to learn the cause of their unexpected return; Chriftian told them that Captain Bligh had difcovered that Captain Cooke was alive and at Whytutakee, and that both he and his officers were determined to remain there with him. This news accordingly spread, but the flory created much furprife. Tinah and Poceno, two chiefs remarkably attached to captain Bligh, immediately haftened on board. They were foon followed by others, who were equally furprifed at meeting with their old friends; but Tinah and Poeeno alternately inquired the meaning that Captain Bligh fent them back; why alfo he did not come with then and bring Captain Cooke, for whom they entertained fo great a regard. To thefe queftions Chriftian returned very forry anfwers, and with fome equivocations evaded others. The chiefs understanding that thefe people were come to fettle among them, immediately began, according to custom, to choofe each his Tayo, or friend. Their notions of friendhip are indeed very extraordinary. When a perfon becomes a Tayo, to any one, it is expected of that perfon that he will cherith his friend's wife, the neglect of which would occafion much coolness and indifference. They are however exceedingly faithful to their friends, for they would fhudder at the thoughts of betraying them. They are likewife ready to fupply their wants even to their own injury; and when those who have Tayos die without iffue, their titles and estates, agreeable to the law of Tayofhip, devolve to their chofen friends, with whom, according to custom, they change names at the time their friend hips are contracted. The mutineers now landed, while the best refreshments that the place afforded were immediately provided. It is impoffible to defcribe the pleafure which fome of the females felt upon feeing their former gallants: they were particularly affiduous in preparing the most agreeble food for their reception. Captain Bligh while he was here had a tent erected for his own use: Chriftian immediately took poffeffion of this, telling the chiefs that he was now Captain Chriflian during Bligh's abfence. To this all his accomplices affented and behaved to him with affomed refpe&t. The hip's company were divided into two parties, one to remain on board the veffel, the other on fhore by turns. A fhort time after they had landed, Churchill, whom Chriftian had made his most conftant companion, became the Tayo of a great chief in the upper diftricts, and received an invitation to his house. Chriftian, in order to court the favour of the chiefs, was remarkably profufe in his prefents; he was likewife cunning enough to take the merit of all the donations, which created a degree of jealousy between him and his confederates. Tinah regularly vifited Chriftian every day, both on fhore and on board. This chief, however, could not conceal his diffatisfaction at the abfence of Captain Bligh and the other officers; nor could he indeed reconcile it to himself why the Captain would not return and abide in Otaheite in preference to any other ifland. Iddeah, Tinah's wife, who had been remarkably attached to Captain Bligh, became exceedingly melancholy at his feeming indiffer ence. On this account the enter tained an averfion to Chriftian and his accomplices, and feldom accompanied her husband in his vifits. During the intervals of folitude, Christian was frequently feized with remorfe and horror at what he had done. Reflection almoft fet him mad, and he certainly felt more anguish at the commiffion of the mutiny than any of his confederates. Whenever Churchill or Stewart were in his company he endeavoured to refume his vivacity and shake off thofe gloomy terrors which occafionally clouded his mind. Churchill was naturally poffeffed of a sprightly difpofition; his prefence, therefore, in a great meafure, difpelled the other's upeafinefs, and helped to keep up his fpirits. Martin likewife expreffed much unhappiness when alone, but none of the men dared to fhew the leaft dif approbation of what was done, for fear of being immediately deftroyed; for feveral fufpected that Chriflian had given fecret orders to fome of his moft particular friends to put to inftant death any who fhould complain or mutter at their prefent fituation, left the natives fhould discover what had happened, and of course revenge their ill-treatment of Captain Bligh. Some of the natives who visited the Bounty committed feveral depredations. Chriftian complained to Tinah of his people's thefts and milbehaviour: This chief, when Captain Bligh was in the island, had been very affiduous in recovering whatever was flolen; but now affairs feemed to wear a different complexion. Tinah paid little or no attention to Chriftian's complaints, nor feemed to be in the leaft concerned for whatever lofs he sustained. The fact was, the natives thought they were at liberty to do whatever they liked, fince the Captain, whom they looked upon as the chief of thofe English, was abfent: and Chriftian was afraid to affume too much authority, for fear he might incur their displeasure, and be confequently abandoned by them. It was obferved that Christian had, previous to his departure from this ifland with the Captain, entertained a paffion for fome of the female natives; to one he was particularly attached. She was young, affectionate, genteel, and fetting afide the diffigurements which the customs of the country render general, the might well be accounted handfome. Their mutual affection was remarkable, and the fincerity of their loves indisputable. In short, they were married, according to the fashion, which is no more than making a bargain with the parents and exchanging mutual promifes before all the friends who are on the occafion invited. Among 312 thefe thefe people polygamy is allowed; and what is not more wonderful than true, they enjoy domeftic harmony even with a plurality of wives. Among the Otaheiteans, inftead of the wife bringing any property to the husband, it is a rule, whenever a man chooses a female for his companion, that he must buy her of her parents, who are generally very unreafonable in their demands: and if the husband does not continue his prefents in a regular manner, it is in the father's power to take home his child and difpose of her in a more profitable manner: thus it appears that intereft fubdues all ties of parental affection; and traffic of this kind is focommon, that the young la dies themselves are by no means firangers to their own value, being always prefent at the time they are bargained for, and not a little conceited when they coft a good price. This mode of getting wives was very inconvenient to our adventurers, as their stock was now growing low, and they had not wherewithal to continue their donations; befides, what they had was in common to all; for Chriftian, dreading any quarrel or jealoufy among themfelves, agreed that there fhould be no private property, and a speedy confumption was naturally the confequence. They were, in fome measure, however, enabled to give prefents by the quantity of presents they received. It is in the husband's power alfo to put away his wife if he difapproves of her, and in fuch cafe the fruits of their connection are destroyed; but if the husband becomes a tender father, and efpoufes his child, then the marriage ftate is faid to be confirmed. There is no doubt but the affection of English fathers made a ftrong impreffion upon the women of Otaheite, who, notwithstanding the barbarous cuftom of their country, are remarkable for their maternal feelings. It is not then to be won dered at, that they fhould be more attached to men, though ftrangers, who they knew would both preferve and love their offspring, than even to their own countrymen, who had fo frequently put the favage custom in execution. This, then, accounts for their partiality to our adventurers, who were equally charmed by their gaiety, and attached by their remarkable conftancy; for notwithftanding the levity of their difpofition, and natural inclination to mirth, they were always fincere in their loveproteftations. Christian being looked upon by the natives as a chief among his own people, thought it abfolutely necef fary to fupport the character, though in appearance; it was, however, with much difficulty that he could command even a feigned refpect, for feveral of his party became tired of doing him this outward homage, and in their moments of jealous reflection, confidered themfelves as good as he, and deemed it therefore unworthy their characters as men, to pay him that refpect which they did not think he deferved: thus the ringleader of thefe mutineers, the very man who ftimulated them to the daring act of rebellion, found it impoffible to quench that spirit which he before encouraged, and, with reafon indeed, apprehended a mutiny among themfelves. The want of honeft friends added much to his remorfe and fear, nor was he affured of the fincerity of thofe with whom he confulted and advifed. In this precarious fituation it behoved him more and more to obtain and fecure the affections of the natives: for which reason, though labouring under all the difficulties before obferved, he supported his feeming authority, and acted in the fame manner as the chiefs of the island; he not only indulged himself with a plurality of wives, but likewife entertained a number of concubines, choofing fuch females as were and agreeable. He gave a loofe to paffion, which ferved in a great meafure to difpel thofe gloomy thoughts which occafionally ftole in to the great annoyance of his reft, and to banish from his mind the commiffion of that crime which he never recollected but with horror and confufion. in his fight the most accomplished applications Churchill would refer them to Heywood, Heywood to Chriftian, and fo on, by which means they were amused for a while; but Tinah at laft took an opportunity of renewing his request when they were all together. Chriftian, however, evaded giving him either a promise or a refufal, faying, that it was neither in his power to afcertain the time of his departure, nor to comply with their requeft till he had confulted Captain Bligh; for though he was Captain Chriftian, he gave them to understand that he was ftill fubfervient to the orders of Capt. Bligh, being all the fame as an inferior chief among them. Afterwards he gave Tinah, and many other chiefs who became troublesome in their folicitations, an abfolute denial, by obferving, that the Bounty was too fmall a veffel for their reception, and that / they had not at prefent a fufficiency of accommodations. Chriftian, however, to keep these people in good humour, told them that Capt. Bligh had given orders that a large ship fhould be got ready as foon as poffible, and that every neceffary article should be provided for their fafe conveyance to England. Chriftian was in high estimation among the ladies of Otaheite, who were not a little affiduous in their endeavours to render the place as agreeable and commodious as poffible. Several prefents of cloth he received from his female vifitors, who, according to the custom of the island, came with it wrapt round their bodies, and as they feldom brought fmall quantities, they appeared uncommonly bulky and corpulent whenever in this generous mood. Next to Chriftian, Heywood, Churchill, Stewart, and Young, were the greatest favourites with the wo men. Coleman, who was exceeding ly ingenious and prudent, was likewife highly respected, but this man was fo referved and thoughtful that he partook of little amufement. His only pleasure was in affifting the natives in building canoes, houfes, nourishing their plants, &c. Being remarkably clever both for invention and the execution of his works, he rendered no fmall affiftance to the people during his stay in the island. As yet Christian had not indicated to the natives his defign of remaining among them,, and feveral of the chiefs, particularly Tinah, who were defirous of vifiting England, and being introduced to King George, made their application to Chriftian, Churchill, and Heywood, whom they looked upon as thofe of the greatest weight, for leave to accompany them to England, as they were ftill led to imagine that fome time or other they intended to depart. During these The mutineers, fome more and fome lefs, began now to entertain fears of their fituation. Both Chriftian and Young doubted the permanency of the natives attachments, and fufpected that their plan of settling at Otaheite would be attended with inevitable danger. Martin and Norman lamented already their condition, which, in the words of the former, was no better than " perpetual banishment," as they were wandering about like "vagabonds upon earth." Churchill, who was Chriftian's moft conftant counsellor and adviser, recommended to him to keep his ground, obferving, that they would have a worfe chance with iflanders they were unacquainted with, than with thofe people with whom |