The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-20

Although thousand years have pass
ed since Gunnbjorn, the Icelander, first
saw the coast Of Greenland, the cont.
nent has not been circumnavigated, nor
its interior explored 1t is still the
unknown land. Larger than A ustralia,
it has au area Of 10000 square miles,
and up to this time, the narrow coast
line has only been inhabited BY civilized
man. IL is curious fact, that its first
colonist known to history was "Eric
the Red" who, in 9S3 A. D., was ban.
ished from Iceland for the crime of
murder. Sailing westward 10 n small
vessel, he reached Cape Farewell the
southernmost limit of Greenland. and
alter the lapse Of three years, he indu.
ced other colonists from Iceland to set.
tie IN the newlyfound country. Hav.
ing established bis colony, he sent his
son, Left, to Norway, where, by CON-
mand of the king, be was instructed 10
the Christian religion. On the return
Of Left to Greenland, he was attended
by priest, who baptized Eric aud all
the colOnisis. The population increased
to six thousand souls. The land was
divided into North and South Green.
land, In which we're six hundred villa.
ges. ln the early pari of the twelfth
century, Arnold was elected the frat
bishop, and as his successors, not less
than seventeen bishops we're chosen
whose names have come down to us
For three hundred years the colonists
prospered, but in the latter part of the
fifteenth century, pestilence aud the
wild Esquimaux combined to lay waste
their country and to destroy their towns;
aud TO day may be seen the ruins Of
churches and converts. During two
hundred years thereafter, the history
Of Greenland remained in obscurity,
when, 10 1921, Hans Egede came from
Denmark, aud through him Danish
colonies were planted along the coast.
Christian missions organized and con-
mercial relations with Denmark estab.
lished. The results of the labors Of
that good man are seen to; day in the
schools and churches, aud comfortable
homes Of the Christian Esquimaux.
Yet the life Of the Greenlaader must
be very dreary. Aboat the first Of
October the last ship leaves for Europe,
aud from that time until the next May,
they have no communication with the
civilized world; their year is divided
Into one long day aud one long night.
For many months the sun never sets
throughout the twenty four hours, he
is seen describing his brilliant circuit
in the Northern skies. In July, you
watch his descent toward the horizon
till he seems to dip his golden edge 10
the sea; then, seeming to pause 10 his
course moment, he mounts again into
the heavens. While We were there a
month later, the sun disappeared for
less than four hours | had watched
his setting at ten p NJ, covering sea
and sky with gold aud purple; but the
heavens remained bright with a mellow
light, by which read during the brief
night, and at one A. NJ, he reappeared
in glory. This was a novelty, and
felt free from the slavery Of hours. but
that prolonged day brought with it a
strange excitement. knew not when
TO retire, when to rise. Bells called us
to breakfast, lunch aud dinner; bells
called US to repose and aroused us from
our itful slumber.
This heightened day is followed by
an equally long night. which brings
mental and moral depression. Meu are
moping, testy, imaginative, aud appear
colorless as potato sprouts growing 10 a
dark cellar. Even the dogs suffer from
the prolonged darkness. Yet Green
land is not without some bounties OF
Providence. During the brief summer
the yallies are covered with grasses and
MOSES. Some flowers have been found
as far north as 500. OF course there
are no forests, but, as a substitute,
quantities Of drift. wood from North
American rivers, are gathered on the
coast and used for timber. But il ia
ture is scanty 10 her supply Of vegeta.
tion, she is abundant in her supply Of
fish, fowl and beast. The waters abound