such as they can themselves supply. Groceries and clothes, the
latter especially, as the winters are very severe, are almost the
only needs they require to be supplied with from without. They
spoke of the "Cape" as if it were only across the way, the
distance separating them from that wonderful place being over
thirteen hundred miles in reality. Very occasionally a schooner
from Capetown does visit them; but, as the seals are almost
exterminated, there is less and less inducement to make the
voyage.

Like almost all the southern islets, this group has been in its
time the scene of a wonderfully productive seal-fishery. It used
to be customary for whaling and sealing vessels to land a portion
of their crews, and leave them to accumulate a store of seal-
skins and oil, while the ships cruised the surrounding seas for
whales, which were exceedingly numerous, both "right" and sperm
varieties. In those days there was no monotony of existence in
these islands, ships were continually coming and going, and the
islanders prospered exceedingly. When they increased beyond the
capacity of the islands to entertain them, a portion migrated to
the Cape, while many of the men took service in the whale-ships,
for which they were eminently suited.

They are, as might be expected, a hybrid lot, the women all
mulattoes, but intensely English in their views and loyalty.
Since the visit of H.M.S. GALATEA, in August, 1867, with the Duke
of Edinburgh on board, this sentiment had been intensified, and
the little collection of thatched cottages, nameless till then,
was called Edinburgh, in honour of the illustrious voyager. They
breed cattle, a few sheep, and pigs, although the sheep thrive