The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-04

creditable impartianty. Punishment lie innicted in
the shape OF fnes. which are deducted at certain
percentage. After all the company makes but
little The business transactions seemed to be car
ried on with the strictest regard honesty while
the company seems to be actuated by the desire
to care for and improve the condition OF people
whose forefathers were STEPPED in barbarism.
HUNTING THE REINDEER.
The Governor informed us that there were no
dogs ut to hunt At Sukkertoppen. and that as for
the other articles his last stock OF skins had al
ready been shipped to Copenhagen. Our trip to
the settlement was therefore, marked by some dis
appointment. l may add that sukkertoppen is one
Of the principal depots for reindeer skins, and
most OF the natives were away on their summer
hunt collecting them. These furs form valuable
part Of the clothing among the natives of both
sexes The seal skin is used only for pantaloons
and boots or moccasins-the most secure article
against the wet. With the promise that the Gov
ernor would visit the Juniata before she left, Com
mander Braine took his leave.
AMONG THE NATIVES.
Ascending rugged stairway in the rocky gorge
came in full view OF crowd OF Esquimau ladies'
who almost stared me out OF countenance. In
their broad, chunky faces blubber and astonish
ment struggled for superiority. Something like
the African damsels, described by Dr. Livingstone
they displayed great bulbousness below their dusky
ribs. The prominent feature which asserted itself
in unmistakable FORM was dirt, especially among
the matrons of advanced years. BY and by they
became less astonshed, and when spoken to by
the ice pilot manifested strong desire to enter
INTO conversation, which, however was not prac-
tcable. But the smell liz all directions was appal-
ing. Oa stood forth in bold relief at every turn,
seal meat lay rotting in the sun, and, to crown
all, blubber smeared everything dead and
alive In fine, the OdOr was indescribable.
But the people seemed Indifferent to the surround
ngs and. being the residents and taxpayers OF the
place, have most right to complain. But what can
be said or the habitatons? Upon the invitation of
wiry-lo0king old dame, in comparison with whom
Meg Merriles was Venus, entered one of the
huts. The family was evidently poor one, for
within space OF eight feet by twelve were couple
Of grandmOthers dozen children and half that
number Of hungry dogs. Most Of the houses are
built with stone turf, raitered over with drift
wood and rooted with MOSES, skins and earth.
The entrance Is through q tunnel not over three
feet in height, and the stranger, in o moment Of
forgetfuness, is apt to bump his head against the
rafters to the intense delight Of the tawny urchins
that follow in his wake.
MUSIC IN THE WILDERNESS.
While most OF the dwellings were OF the Ike mel
ORDER there were, nevertheless others having
some pretensions to cleanliness and comfort. These
had glass windows and wooden floors, ana could
boast three or four well regulated apartments.
Here and there scattered about skins and furs
in arranging which the occupants seemed Dusily
engaged. There were generally from six to
dozen persons in house, ranging from the first
to the seventh stage of mans existence. The
sleeping booths were divided by partitions about
two feet in height, and seal-sklns did duty for
feather beds. Despite the attempt at neatness In
the best Of these houses the greasy odor was still
defiant We had been seated but low minutes
when three or four muscular-looKng damses
entered slyly and took the nearest seat to the
door. Between the natural color of their COM
plexiOns and the inclination to blush ] should
say the shade presented by these hopeful
maidens was not unlike the hue of mower pot.
Far away in a dark corner sat dismal young
man. more Dane than Esquimau, who, taking ad-
vantage OF the lull in conversation, which had
hitherto been confined to mods and grins dived
into locker and produced violin, which he
quickly tanned into submission. As he commenced
to rattle of a lively air the women's eyes glis-
tened, and the contagion being communicated to
their feet, a brisk partering on the floor was COM
menced. Even the dogs wagged their tails, and
before long two sturdy damsels stepped forth and
performed some Terpsichorean feats which, for
rapid stunning and intricate twirls left nothing to
be desired. Encouraged by applause brace OF
youngsters joined in the dance, which was some
thing between o Boston dip and DOnnybrook
jig. BY this time the apartment mad be-
come thronged to excess. Crowds surrounded
the house and peered through the window in
blank amazement, and even the children screamed
with JOY and apprehension combined. The dust
rose in Clouds and breathing becoming q matter
Of difnculty to say nothing Of the aroma from all
quarters, we paid the piper and took our leave.
THE GOVERNOR VISITS THE JUNIATA.
1t was great day for Sukkertoppen. Never in
the history of the promising spot had vessel and
o man-ofwar at that, OF such dimensions as the
Juniata come to anchor in the harbor. How she
ever got in and how she ever got out
again l am net prepared to state.
Lying quietly at anchor within pistol shot of the
hugh crags, she seemed as large as the entire set
tement, and during the livelong day crowds stood
gazing down from on high on the strange and war
like visitor have said that Governor LARSEN had
gratefully accepted the invitation Of Commander
Braine to visit the vessel. Six O'Clock was the
hour appointed for the reception, and the occasion
was one which will not readily be forgotten in the
annals Of Sukkertoppen. Preparations had been
made for the arrival OF His Excellency, ana the
event was awaited with feelings OF awe and
curiosity. "A few minutes after six O'Clock the
Danish nag was seen floating from the stern of
rowboat, and "Here comes the Governor !" passed
along with lightning speed. guard OF marines in
full dress was drawn up on the quarter deck, and
as the high functionary of sukkertoppen passed up
the gangway he was cordially welcomed amid
rousing salute Of fifteen guns. AS the sound re.
verberated and almost shook the settlement out Of
existence q wild howl was raised on shore as
II an earthquake had given decided symptoms OF
approach. more bewIldered looking man than
the little Governor it has never been my lot to
behold. Arrayed in seaskin boots and breeches,
short jacket trimmed with dog skin, and little
jaunty hat bound with green the very picture of
o Leprechaun he gazed to the right and to
the left, as II to say, what have l ever done to
your" He was warmly greeted by the captain and
officers, and as the marines presented arms he was
pleased beyond description. Unable to speak Eng
lish conversation was carried on through the
Lieutenant Governor, q very agreeable Old Dane