While making these general and desultory statements touching the progress of the colony, it may be well to say a word of Rancocus Island.  The establishments necessary there, to carry on the mills, lime and brick kilns, and the stone-quarry, induced the governor to erect a small work, in which the persons employed in that out-colony might take refuge, in the event of an invasion.  This was done accordingly; and two pieces of artillery were regularly mounted on it.  Nor was the duty of fortifying neglected elsewhere.  As for the Peak, it was not deemed necessary to do more than improve a little upon nature; the colony being now too numerous to suppose that it could not defend the cove against any enemy likely to land there, should the entrance of that secret haven be detected.  On the Reef, however, it was a very different matter.  That place was as accessible as the other was secure.  The construction of so many stout stone edifices contributed largely to the defence of the town; but the governor saw the necessity of providing the means of commanding the approaches by water.  Four distinct passages, each corresponding to a cardinal point of the compass, led from the crater out to sea.  As the south passage terminated at the bridge, it was sufficiently commanded by the Colony House.  But all the others were wider, more easy of approach, and less under the control of the adjacent islands.  But the Summit had points whence each might be raked by guns properly planted, and batteries were accordingly constructed on these points; the twelve-pounder being used for their armaments.  Each battery had two guns; and when all was completed, it was the opinion of the governor that the post was sufficiently well fortified.  In order, however, to give additional security, the crater was tabooed to all the Kannakas; not one of whom was permitted ever to enter it, or even to go near it.

But defence, and building, and making soil, did not altogether occupy the attention of the colonists during these important twelve months.  Both the brothers of the governor got married; the oldest, or the attorney-general, to the oldest sister of John Pennock, and the youngest to a sister of the Rev. Mr. Hornblower.  It was in this simple colony, as it ever has been, and ever will be in civilized society, that, in forming matrimonial connections, like looks for like.  There was no person, or family at the Reef which could be said to belong to the highest social class of America, if, indeed, any one could rank as high as a class immediately next to the highest; yet, distinctions existed which were maintained usefully, and without a thought of doing them away.  The notion that money alone makes those divisions into castes which are everywhere to be found, and which will probably continue to be found as long as society itself exists, is a very vulgar and fallacious notion.  It comes from the difficulty of appreciating those tastes and qualities which, not possessing ourselves, are so many unknown and