The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-01-06
Life in an Esquimau Hut.

The correspondent who accompanied
the Arctic expedition of Lieut.. Greeley,
give this graphic account of the interior
OF ian Esquimau hut, and the everyday
costume OF its mistress:
At Provtn a better opportunity for
studs ing the habits of the primitive Es-
qnimaux was afforded than at any other
place we have visited The whalers and
exploring parties seldom visit it and the
influence Of the white man is less per-
ceptible. They retain their habits of
life as prscticed before they improved
,tleir condition, to-a greater extent than
in other parts of Greenland. | spent
four hours consecutively in one of their
attractive "igloos,' or huts. Ny pre-
text Tor so proracted STAY was ostsnsl-
bly, awaiting the completion of cap of
elder down, on which one of the squaws
was engaged. The hut was built of turf,
mess and stone, and was entered by
long, narrow low passage or tunnel-so
low that I was compelled to crawl on
hands and feet, most disaereeable and
hun iliating proceeding, as the dogs and
natives mot much better In point OF
cleanliness also have ingress and egress
through the same vestibule. On reach
ing the small interior hole, which was
living, eating and sleeping room, the first
glance discovered the mistress of the
house i'll an extremely airy costume, sit
ting on the shelf or platform on which
they sleep. By due process of barter
neckerchief that [ had worn was trans
ferrod to the possession of the squaw in
exchange for elder cap to which | re-
ferred, and which she at once proceeded
to make, first measuring the dome of my
intellect with great precision. The room
was too low to admit of standing up.
right. No stove or fireplace appeared
as substitute was ahollowed stone, used
as lamp, with seal oil for fuel and moss
for a wick. The atmosphere of the room
was sitting and extremely nauseating
from the odor of sealskins strewn around.
The sleeping arrangements were most
simple. A platform about two feet
high and extending from the wall about
six feet occupied one side of the room.
This is the receptacle of skins and furs
during the day, and when the natives re-
tire they make it q general couch, each
disciple of Morpheus drawing over him.
self or herself so many of the skins as
are necessary for comfort. The costume
of the Esquimaux women is so nearly like
that of the men that at first glance it Is
difficult to distinguish the sexes. The
women, however-as all the world over
dress in more pleasing manner than the
men. The costume generally consists Of
pair of dainty boots of dressed seal.
skin, stained different eolors.a and orna
mented with small pieces cut in fancy
forms which reach above the knee. Then
come the pantalcons, or trunks. also OF
saalskin, but with hair on. These are
short, reaching hardly half way down
the thigh, where they meet the boots 81
leggings. The upper Part of the body
is covered by q loose fitting cassock, OF
smock, devoid of buttons, which is
pulled on over the head. An attached
hood can be drawn over the head or al
lowed to fall back on the shoulders al
pleasure. A pair of the aforementioned
trunks, or pantaloons, was the only part
Of the costume that the dusky maker OF
my cap saw fit to wear. She appeared
to work with greater faci ity, however.
than if trarnmelled with clothing, as she
deity held the materials III position with
her toes while she trimmed OF fitted them
! Two or three children were hanging
about her without seeming to impede her
progress in the least. AS soon as com.
pleted she placed the cap on my heal,
and proved at onee the possession of al
least one quality in common with her
more civilized sisters, of being able tc
fatter by showing in gestures and ex.
pressions great admiration, but whether
for her handiwork or our appearance we
could not determine, but was at once
reminded of the remark of the descend
ant of Israel cit fits you like de paper
on lie WALL" I was indeed glad to es-
cape from the unfragrant place. The
single window was made of membran.
eous tissue of the stomach of the seal.
This substance when oiled became al.
most as transparent as glass. Many Of
the natives, however, live in much bet
dwellings than the one I have described.
Such a one represents the habitatiOns Of
the poorer class.