Revised Jun 21 2021
The owners of "this sceptred isle,"
"This precious stone set in the silver sea,"
avow a hearty allegiance to the Queen of England. Her Majesty's birthday is observed as an occasion of much joy. All the people assemble near the church, in holiday apparel; the bell is set ringing, and old and young unite in singing loyal songs in honour of the day. By their Pastor's account, not only the cheerful bell is heard on this festive day, but it had been usual to introduce the deep-mouthed gun to assist at the solemnity. The history of this gun is curious, and, in some respects, painful. It once belonged to the Bounty, and was fished up from the bottom of the sea in 1845, with one of its companions, which had been spiked, and which was therefore useless. The better of the two, after remaining many fathoms deep for five-and-fifty years, was much honeycombed, and, when brought into use, was generally used with caution.