July, 1857. DANISH ESTABLISHMENTS. 13 



into the safe little harbour of Frederickshaab. I was much 

 gratified to learn that we were just in time to secure a 

 passage home for our ailing shipmate. 



For trading purposes Greenland is monopolized by the 

 Danish Government ; its Esquimaux and mixed population 

 amount to about 7000 souls. Some 400 or 500 Danes re- 

 side constantly there for the purpose of conducting the trade, 

 which consists almost exclusively in the exchange of Euro- 

 pean goods for oil and the skins of seals, reindeer, and a few 

 other animals. 



The Esquimaux are not subject to Danish laws, and they 

 pride themselves upon this mere show of independence ; 

 they are, however, sincerely attached to the Danes, and with 

 abundant reason ; a Lutheran clergyman, a doctor, and a 

 schoolmaster, whose several duties it is to give them gra- 

 tuitous instruction and relief, are attached to each district, 

 and supported by the Danish Government ; and when these 

 improvident people are in distress, which not unfrequently 

 happens during the long winters, provisions are issued to 

 them free of cost : spirits are strictly prohibited. All of 

 them have become Christians, and many can read and write. 



Have we English done as much for the aborigines in any 

 of our numerous colonies, even in far more favoured climes ? 

 We have thousands of Esquimaux within our own territories 

 of Labrador and of the Hudson's Bay Company, have we 

 ever attempted to do anything for their welfare ? — and thou- 

 sands more of them inhabit the north shore of Hudson's Strait 

 and the west shore of Davis' Strait, within three weeks' sail of 

 us, and in annual communication with our whaling ships. 



Greenland is divided into two inspectorates, the northern 

 and southern ; the inspector of the latter division, Dr. Rink, 

 had arrived at Frederickshaab upon his summer round of 

 visits only the day previous to ourselves. He came on 

 board to call upon me, and after Divine Service I landed, 



