Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-12
characteristics Of the Esquimaux.

Among themselves the Esquimaux
are known as Inuits, or men" the
seamen Of the Hudson Bay ships have
long been accustomed to call them
Seymos or Observation-Disclosures derived
from the cries of Seymo or Teynso, with
which they hail the arrival of tho trad
ers; while the old Norsemen dcsig-
mated them, in illusion to their dis
cordant shouts. or by way Of express
ing their infinite contempt, Skyaeiingers
screamers," or wretches."
The European feels impelled to pity
the hard fate which condemns them to
inhabit one OF the dreariest and most
inhospitable regions Of the globe,
where only few MOSES and lichens,
or plants scarcely higher in the scale
OF creation, can maintain . struggling
existence; where land, animals and
birds ans few in number, and where
human life would be impossible but
for the provision which the ocean
waters 90 abundantly supply. As they
live In great degree upon fish and the
cetaceans. they dwell almost always
near the coast, and never penetrate in
land to any considerable distance.
In the east the Esquinaux, for sew
eral centuries, have been subjected to
the civilixing influence of the English
and the Dutch; in the west, they have
long been under the iron rule OF the
Nuscovite. In the north and the CEN
ter their intercourse with the Euro
peans has always been casual anu in
considerable. II will therefore be un-
derstood that the different branches OF
this widespread race must necessarily
exhibit acme diversity OF character,
and that the same description Of man.
mars and mode of life will not in ali
points apply with equal accuracy to the
savage aud heAthen Esquimaux of the
extreme northern shores and islands,
the Greek Catholic Aleuts, the faithful
servants Of the Hudson Bay Company,
and the disciples OF che Moravian
Brethren in Labrador or Greenland.
Yet the differences are by no means
important. and 1t may be doubted
whether any other raes, living under
such peculiar conditions and extend
ing over 20 vast an area, can show 20
few and such inconsiderable specific
varieties. When one thinks OF an
ESquimaux, one naturally calls mp q
certain image TO ones mind; that Of
. man OF moderate stature, OF under
medium sixe. with . broad fat face,
narrow, tspering forehead, and narrow
or more or less oblique eyes; and this
image or type viii be found to be
realized throughout the length and
breadth OF Esquimsux America. The
Esquimaux, generally speaking, would
seam to hare sprung from : Mongol
stock; at all events, he can claim no
kinship with the Red Indians. Happily
for Europeans, If inferior to the latter
in physical qualities, he ID superior in
generosity and amiability Of dispose
zion. Is. e.y ss.,d !, tsss,,
The Eequimaux are sometimes spoken
Of - If they we're dwsrfs or lillipu-
tians, but such il not the. case. They
are shorter than the average French
man or EYglishman; but individuals
measuring from Eve feet ten inches to
nix feet have been found in Camden
Bay. Doctor Kane speaks Of Esaui-
maux in smith Strait Who were fully
Q foot taller than himself. II ia true
Of the females, however, that they are
comparatively little.
The E>quimaux are o stalwart, broad
shouldered race. considerably stronger
than any other Of the races of North
America. In both sexes the hands and
feet are small and well.shsped. Their
muscles are strongly developed. owing
to constant exercise in hunting the seal
and the walrus. They are also power
full wrestiers, and on no unequal terms
could compete with our athletic celeb
rites. Their physiognomy. notwith.
standing its lack Of beauty, is far from
displessipg; its expression is cheerful
and good-tempered, and the long win
ter night does not seem 10 sadden their
spirits or Cypress their energies.
The females are we'll made, and,
though not handsome. are scarcely to
be stigmatized as ugly. Their teeth
are white and regular, and their COM
plsxion is warm, clear and good. II
IL true that they cannot be seen to ad.
vantage, owing to the layers Of dirt by
which it is obscured; but it is not
vnnnh Horkup thor, q Hark hpnnotto and