[38] The only authority that then existed for laying down this island was that of Captain Carteret, who first saw it in 1767.  ‘It is so high,’ he says, ’that we saw it at the distance of more than fifteen leagues, and it having been discovered by a young gentleman, son to Major Pitcairn of the marines, who was unfortunately lost in the Aurora, we called it Pitcairn’s Island.’  He makes it in lat. 25 deg. 2’ S. and long. 133 deg. 30’ W., no less than three degrees out of its true longitude! Three minutes would now be thought a considerable error:—­such are the superior advantages conferred by lunar observations and improvements in chronometers.

Pitcairn’s Island has been supposed to be the ‘Encarnacion’ of Quiros, by whom it is stated to be in lat. 24 deg. 30’, and one thousand leagues from the coast of Peru; but as he describes it as ’a low, sandy island, almost level with the sea, having a few trees on it,’ we must look for ‘Encarnacion’ somewhere else; and Ducies Island, nearly in that latitude, very low, and within 5 deg. of longitude from Pitcairn’s Island, answers precisely to it.

[39] As the manner of Christian’s death has been differently reported to each different visitor, by Adams, the only evidence in existence, with the exception of three or four Otaheitan women, and a few infants, some singular circumstances may here be mentioned that happened at home, just at the time of Folder’s visit, and which might render his death on Pitcairn’s Island almost a matter of doubt.

About the years 1808 and 1809, a very general opinion was prevalent in the neighbourhood of the lakes of Cumberland and Westmoreland, that Christian was in that part of the country, and made frequent private visits to an aunt who was living there.  Being the near relative of Mr. Christian Curwen, long member of Parliament for Carlisle, and himself a native, he was well known in the neighbourhood.  This, however, might be passed over as mere gossip, had not another circumstance happened just about the same time, for the truth of which the Editor does not hesitate to avouch.

In Fore Street, Plymouth Dock, Captain Heywood found himself one day walking behind a man, whose shape had so much the appearance of Christian’s, that he involuntarily quickened his pace.  Both were walking very fast, and the rapid steps behind him having roused the stranger’s attention, he suddenly turned his face, looked at Heywood, and immediately ran off.  But the face was as much like Christian’s as the back, and Heywood, exceedingly excited, ran also.  Both ran as fast as they were able, but the stranger had the advantage, and, after making several short turns, disappeared.

That Christian should be in England, Heywood considered as highly improbable, though not out of the scope of possibility; for at this time no account of him whatsoever had been received since they parted at Otaheite; at any rate the resemblance, the agitation, and the efforts of the stranger to elude him, were circumstances too strong not to make a deep impression on his mind.  At the moment, his first thought was to set about making some further inquiries, but on recollection of the pain and trouble such a discovery must occasion him, he considered it more prudent to let the matter drop; but the circumstance was frequently called to his memory for the remainder of his life.