Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1881 — The Isle of Content. [ARTICLE]

The Isle of Content.

A speck in the ocean only is Ptcairn island, or the “Isle of Cob tent, as it Is aptly called. Although only six miles in circumference, ft is inhabited by ninety-six of the happiest persons’-in the world. The island' is situated in a delightful climate about 8,000 miles west of the northern coast of South America. All the tropical fruits grow there in abundance. The inhabitants form an English colony, and live a simple, happy life, undisturbed by tbe strife ot the' world around them Money is practically unknown among them. The one magistrate on 4 the island has a sinecure, for there areno disputes, and lawlessness is unknown among them. Each man has his own house and land. , The life is communistic in a way, for all are socially equal and share their goods with each other when one becomes needy. Shoes are Beldom worn by the women. The children, when only a few years old, learnjiow to swim and tumble around in the breakers without fear or danger. The people are religious and wotehip in a little church, some one of their number readiug the service of the church of Ecglaud aud preaching every Sunday. They are zealous in succoring shipwrecked sailors, and seem on tbe whole to lead an ideal life of quiet and contentment.