the subject which we have been contemplating naturally connects itself with the moral history of the inhabitants of Labrador, and is not obscurely suggested by the words of the Psalmist" He giveth his snow like wool. He scattereth his hoar frost like ashes. casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sheweth

He

earth is full of his glory." This is an exercise in which those who are spiritually-minded greatly delight; and the language of the Bible, abounding as it does in illustrations drawn from the visible works of God, proves it to be the will of the Author of the Bible, that his people should make this improvement of the things which are seen. It is gratifying to observe how some of the weak and foolish in the estimation of the world have excelled in this branch of spiritual wisdom. A converted Greenlander, 66 as he was once upon a journey, was invited by the natives to dance at the sun-feast (a heathen riot, to celebrate the return of the sun); but he gave them this answer-'I have now another kind of joy, because another sun, namely, Jesus, is arisen in my heart.”” See Greenland Missions, published by the Religious Tract and Book Society for Ireland.

his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm cxlvii. 15-20.

Having now set before the reader a general description of the polar regions, in regard to climate, and the external appearance of the country, we proceed to describe the inhabitants.

The numerous hordes wandering through the northern wilderness are known by the name of Esquimaux. They constitute a most widely-diffused race, occupying all the shores of the Northern Ocean, and embracing nearly the entire circuit of the globe. The external form of this people seems influenced, and as it were characterized, by the severity of the climate. Their stature is decidedly lower than that of the European,-five feet nine inches being considered, even in a man, as almost gigantic. Though the body itself is somewhat thick, all the extremities are small, especially the hands and feet, and the fingers short. The face is broad and flat, the nose

small, and the cheeks remarkably prominent. Their countenance, however, marked by a frank and good-humoured expression, would be often agreeable, were it cleared of the thick crust of grease and dirt which hides the real complexion.

The dress of the Esquimaux, through the necessity imposed by the climate, is much more ample, and prepared with greater care, than is usual among other savage tribes. That of the men chiefly consists in a double coat of deer-skin, the inner part of which, having the hair placed next the body, serves as a shirt, while from the outer a spacious hood is raised to cover the head. The breeches, of the same material, and also double, reach down overlapping the boots, which extend to the knee, and are composed either of deer-skin, or, if intended for hunting or travelling, of the hide of the seal and walrus. The dress of the females consists of the same articles, with only some variations in form: their chief distinction lies in their boots, which are made sufficiently large to carry their children.

The Esquimaux do not huddle on these

EMPLOYMENTS OF ESQUIMAUX. 9

garments in a rude and careless manner, as a mere protection against the fierce influence of the climate; they display, like the inhabitants of civilized countries, a passion for embellishment and finery. Their clothes are neatly sewed, with threads made from the sinews of animals the effect of their rich furs is heightened by being arranged in stripes of various colours, and by fringes along the border. In their traffic with Europeans, they seek anxiously for beads, often bartering their best furs for these worthless baubles.

The labour necessary for subsistence, under this rigorous climate, is more arduous, and occupies a greater share of time, than among any other race, either civilized or savage. The ground, frozen for more than nine months of the year, yields neither root nor herb which can form a standard article of food. No tame animals are reared for this purpose, their dogs being so used only in the last extremity. Hunting is their only resource, and hence their days are spent in the chase of the wild animals which inhabit the sea and the shore. During the short summer, they pur

sue the deer, whose flesh, as meat, and whose skin, as clothing, are esteemed above all others. The eider and other ducks also furnish them with food, while the hide, with the feathers inwards, forms a light and comfortable clothing. The early winter, however, compels these animals, in large bands, to move into milder climates; and hence, for nine months annually, the Esquimaux must find their food in the waters, which are filled with large fishes, the seal, the walrus, and whale. In the capture of these animals, the natives exhibit much dexterity and courage. Nor does an Esquimaux hesitate, even singly, to attack the polar bear, the fiercest and most terrible of all the animals which inhabit those frozen regions.

In describing the Esquimaux mode of living, we must not omit to mention the dogs, which are kept by the savages in greater or smaller flocks, according to the wealth of the proprietor. These animals are not unlike a wolf in shape; like that animal, they never bark, but howl in a disagreeable manner; they are used by the natives in the chase, and