It seems to have been a part of Adams’s policy to make religious ceremonies an important part of their daily business, not merely an occasional duty.  In describing a dinner scene, after stating that the knives and forks, though more abundant than he had expected to find in so remote a part of the world, were scarcely enough according to civilized notions, he goes on thus—­

“The smoking pig, by a skilful dissection, was soon portioned to every guest, but no one ventured to put its excellent qualities to the test, until a lengthened Amen, pronounced by all the party, had succeeded an emphatic grace delivered by the village parson. ‘Turn to’ was then the signal for attack; and as it is convenient that all the party should finish their meal about the same time, in order that one grace might serve for all, each made the most of his time.  In Pitcairn’s Island it is not deemed proper to touch even a bit of bread without a grace before and after it; and a person is accused of inconsistency if he leaves off and begins again.  So strict is their observance of this form, that we do not know of any instance in which it has been forgotten.  On one occasion I had engaged Adams in conversation, and he incautiously took the first mouthful without having said his grace; but before he had swallowed it he recollected himself, and feeling as if he had committed a crime, immediately put away what he had in his mouth, and commenced his prayer.”

The “village parson” above alluded to is thus described by Capt.  Beechey: 

“They have very fortunately found an able and willing master in John Buffet, who belonged to a ship which visited the island, and was so infatuated with their behaviour, being himself naturally of a devout and serious turn of mind, that he resolved to remain among them; and in addition to the instruction of the children, has taken upon himself the duty of clergyman, and is the oracle of the community.”

Our gallant officers were not a little disappointed to find that the ladies were excluded from the table.  Indeed the Pitcairn islanders appear to have adopted, though not in all its rigour, the South Sea prejudice against allowing a woman to eat in the presence of her husband.  In some parts of the Archipelago this crime is punishable by death.  The only thing like an argument by which the men defended this custom was, that as the male was made first, he ought on all occasions to be served first:  a new reading of the saying “first come first served.”  The good-natured woman-kind of Pitcairn’s Island, however, seemed far from considering themselves neglected or ill-used in this matter, for they remained behind the seats, flapping away the flies, and chatting with their guests.—­The couches prepared for the strangers consisted of palm-leaves, covered with native cloth:  the sheets were of the same material.