Middletown transcript., 1871-11-18
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The entire population Of North and
South Greenland is estimased, in round
numbers, to be shout III, 900 souls, and
Of these $50 are Danes. The natives are
called Esqaimaar. derived by some from
the Algonquin word Esginn.tick. which
signifies "eatcrs Of raw 6sb." Although
authorities differ n. to their race. yet all
whom saw had the uamistakable cram
biological and facial characteristics Of tho
Mongolian--thc pyramidal head, the a.
nond eye. the .awny complexion, and the
sparse beard The men are we'll propor-
toned. broad shouldercd, snd their aver.
age height is five feet. As they gain a
living by hunting aud fishing, they arc
swift in the chase. strong 10 encounter the
bear and the walrus. and they launch the
spear with great precision. The kayak.
their favorito boat, is ten feet long, two
feet broad in the centre, aud in form is not
unlike II wcavcr's shuttle The bottom is
rounded, aud has no keel. The frame is
Of whnlcbone, kept stretched by little
beams, is covered with seal or walrus skin,
aud is water-.ight In the centre is cir.
cular hole Of sufficient size to admit one
body aud the boat is so light that i, can
be carried on tho arm or head with case.
The Esquimaux are SO accustomed to these
fragile boats. that for pastimc they per-
form some daring feats. l saw ono Vi
them turn over sidewise into the water.
and remain with his head down and the
bottom Of his boat up during nine seconds
aud then by u stroke Of his paddle be cape
up spouting like whale.
The Eslui,naux women arc peculiar for
the softpcss and s,nallncss Of their hands
aud feet. In person. they are short aud
slender, and some Of the girls are quite
handsome. Their grotesque costumes oi
seal skin and Of other furs DO not impart
elegance to their appearance; yet the neat
ness Of their habits and the modesty oi
their deWeaaor are not unworthy higher
civilization.
From Cape Farewell to Upernavik there
are thirteen Esquimaux villages. the num-
Der Of inhabitants ranging from 100 70
1000 souls each. These town, are sione
the coast, mud are laid out without regard
to regularity. The homes Of the poor arc
low structures Of stones, ocmented BY turl
instead Of mortar. not moro than eight feet
high, aud covered with fat roof Of turf
The entrance is long. low. narrow pas.
sage, through which We were compelled .o
pass on all fours. The window is Of seal
skin, dried, which is white and transpar
ent. Within are benches used rs scat.
during the day and as couches during th,
night--tho bedding being composed Of
reindeer skins. The homes Of the Danes
and Of the better class Of the natives ar.
larger, more comfortably arranged. and
not unlike small American farm house
As whole the Esquimaux are industrious
and moral. They hold to the monogsmis
and not the polygan,ic form Of marriage
The best hunter 10 the hvoritc with all Ii,
maidsns. and he experiences no dif6culty
in winning the hand and heart Of the pref
tiest dsmsel Of the Greenland village. l
was my happiuess 70 visit many families il
which parental affection asd 6lisl Low,
were displayed. and in which comfort wait
ed on simple compstence. Tho paserna
rather than the municipal 10 the form o
government under which these people live
When disputes arise between families. an,
cannot be settled by the parties themsslve
tho case 10 brought before the Danish gov
ernor, who acts 10 the capacity Of = justic
Of the peace. aud % . court of 6nal appes
the csse is laid before tho Inspsctor Gen
cral, whose decision 10 6usl.