he reached the conclusion that in all essential | them, the Innuits, using the only term by which points their mode of life is the true, and in fact they designate themselves, equivalent to "Our the only one, for their climate. In minor details we can teach them something; but the man who expects to live through three Arctic winters must in all essential respects live as the natives do. Whoever does so may fairly hope for as long a life within the polar circle as in a tem perate zone. The Esquimaux-or, as we shall hereafter call Folks"-are among the most interesting of the uncivilized races of the globe. It is indeed hardly proper to class them among the uncivilized races. They show such a wonderful power of adapting themselves to the exigencies of their lot; procure so much substantial comfort from what appear to be the scantiest materials; seize so eagerly and apply so dextrously every means him means of verifying his pictures; he brought the originals. Thousands of Americans have within the last two years seen "Joe" and "Hannah." They have accompanied Mr. Hall on his visits to various parts of the country, and sat at good men's tables. Few who have met them even casually can have failed to observe the quiet self-respecting aspect of the man, and the modest ways, pleasant smile, and marvelously sweet voice of the woman. "Joe" is Ebierbing, and "Hannah" is Tookoolito. They were true friends to Mr. Hall during the two years which he spent with their people; they came with him on his return, remained with him while he has been preparing his narrative; and have now gone back with him to their northern home, and are to accompany him during his proposed tl.ree years' explorations. This visit to the United States was not their first experience of civilized life. They had been taken to England seven years before, where they remained two years, were presented to the Queen, and met with great favor in English society. Ebierbing is an excellent pilot, a noted seal-hunter, and a remarkably ingenious mechanic. With no other implements than his sharply-pointed seal-spear and his long snow-knife he will mend a broken sledge or put up a snow hut in half the time that a European would require for, considering how it should be done. He is a sturdy, square built man of some five feet two; his wife is quite as tall and much stouter. To see her in her neatly fitting calico dress, smooth hair as black as coal, one would suppose that she was a German "Bauerin"-a class which for the want of a better we designate as "peasants," but which corresponds in effect to our farmers. Poor Tookoolito has sad cause to remember her visit to America. A few months after her arrival her child, Tukeliketa, "Butterfly," aged a year and a half, died. "I never saw," says Mr. Hall, "a more animated, sweet-tempered, bright-looking child." For days the mother was unconscious or delirious. Then she longed to die, so that she might be with her lost "Butterfly." The corpse of the little Innuit was placed in the beautiful burial-ground at Groton, Connecticut. Upon the grave were laid, according to the custom of his people, all his childish playthings. They were sacred to the dead. The mother went to the spot a while after, and found that one article-a gayly-painted tin pail-had been taken away. She was almost inconsolable at the discovery. How poor little "Butterfly" would miss his beautiful pail! The love of parents for their children is a notable trait in Innuit character. If we may judge from casual notices scattered through Mr. Hall's narrative, no more tender mothers or loving fathers are to be found in the world than among the Innuits. Mr. Hall's first interviews with Tookoolito form a pleasant episode, which shall be related in his own words, with slight abridgments: "November 2, 1860.-While intently occupied in my cabin writing, I heard a soft sweet voice say, 'Good-morning, Sir.' The tone in which it was spoken-musical, lively, and va ried-instantly told me that a lady of refine- if by instinct, the marvelous mystery of the ment was there, greeting me. I was astonished." stitch." 66 Could I be dreaming? No, I was wide awake, "Before I was aware of it," continues Mr. and writing. But had a thunder-clap sounded Hall, Tookoolito had the tea-kettle over the in my ear, though it was snowing, I could not friendly fire-lamp, and the water boiling. She have been more surprised than I was at the asked me if I drank tea. Imagine my surprise sound of that voice. I raised my head. A lady at this question, coming from an Esquimaux, in was indeed before me, extending an ungloved an Esquimaux hut. I replied, 'I do; but you hand. The doorway in which she stood led have not tea here, have you?' Drawing her from the cabin into my private room. Directly hand from a little tin box, she displayed it full over this entrance was the sky-light, admitting of fine-flavored black tea, saying, 'Do you like a flood of light, and revealing to me crinoline, your tea strong?' Thinking to spare her the heavy flounces, an attenuated toga, and an im- use of much of this precious article away up mensely expanded 'kiss-me-quick' bonnet; but here, far from the land of civilization, I replied, the features I could not at first make out. On 'I'll take it weak, if you please.' A cup of turning my face, who should it be but a lady capital tea was soon before me-capital tea, Esquimaux! Whence, thought I, came this civ- and capitally made. Taking from my pocket ilization and refinement? In a moment I was a sea-biscuit which I had brought from the vesmade acquainted with my visitor. She was the sel for my dinner, I shared it with my hostess. Tookoolito I had so much desired to see. She Seeing she had but one cup, I induced her to spoke my own language fluently, and I had a long share with me its contents. Tookoolito says and interesting conversation with her. Ebier- she and her husband drink tea nearly every bing, her husband, was also introduced to me, night and morning. They acquired a taste for and though not speaking English so well as his it in England, and have since obtained their wife, yet I could talk with him tolerably well. annual supply from English and American I gleaned many interesting particulars of their whalers visiting Northumberland Inlet." visit to England, and learned that they had dined with Prince Albert, who had treated them with much consideration. Ebierbing thought the Queen was very pretty,' and that Prince Albert was a very kind, good man.' Tookoolito, speaking of the Queen, said: 'I visited her, and liked the appearance of her Majesty and every thing about the palace. Fine place, I assure you, Sir.' As Tookoolito spoke I could not help admiring the exceeding gracefulness and modesty of her demeanor. Simple and gentle in her way, there was a degree of calm intellectual power about her that more and more astonished me. I felt delighted beyond measure, because of the opportunity for becoming better acquainted with these people through her means, and I hoped to improve it toward the furtherance of the great object I had in view." When paying this visit Tookoolito had got herself up in a very tolerable imitation of "civilized" costume. She wore a dress-of what material Mr. Hall omits to tell us-" with heavy flounces; an elegant toga made of young reindeer fur, deeply fringed, and a bonnet of the style invented on the principle of 'cover the head by a rosette on the back."" Not long after Mr. Hall returned the call. He found the lady at home in her tent, dressed in native costume, which her visitor thought more becoming than the one in which she had called upon him. She was engaged in the domestic occupation of knitting socks for her husband-a most un-Esquimaux accomplishment which she had acquired in England. It may be added, by way of parenthesis, that she has a remarkable facility in mastering the details of feminine domestic occupations. While in America ladies often showed her intricate specimens of the arts of crocheting and netting. She seemed to catch, as We must not suppose, however, that this is a specimen of Innuit life. The food, clothing, and dwellings of the people are peculiar to themselves, and adapted to the necessities of their condition. Their food is almost entirely animal; the flesh, fat, blood, and viscera all coming into use. Contrary to the received opinion, there is no region which so abounds in animal life as the waters and shores of the Arctic zone. Ookgook, the big seal, and Nutchook, the common seal, are the Innuit staples. To them these are what corn and coal are to the European, or rice to the Asiatic. Ninoo, the bear, Tuktoo, the reindeer, the walrus, and the whale, are important auxiliaries in the way of supplying food and clothing. Kimmick, the dog, their only domesticated animal, is to them what the camel is to the Bedouin, and the horse and the ox to other peoples. During a part of the year seals and other game are so plentiful that an abundant supply of food can be obtained almost without labor; but during another part of the year the animals are scarce and shy. If the Innuits would only INNUIT HOSPITALITY. |