May, 1858. THE LOVES OF GREENLANDERS. 93 



monotonous chant. Most of the young people had hymn- 

 books in their hands, printed in the Esquimaux language. 



Ravens seem very abundant ; also large grey falcons : 

 perhaps the dead whales may have attracted an unusual 

 number. 



Poor Christian has not only fallen desperately in love, 

 but has engaged himself to the object of his affections, a 

 pretty Esquimaux girl. He asked me to-day to give her a 

 passage up to Godhavn, as he wished to leave her in charge 

 of his mother until his return there with us next year, when 

 his engagement for the voyage would be fulfilled. Having 

 heard a rumour of a young woman awaiting his return with 

 anxiety at Godhavn, I taxed him with it, but he replied 

 with great simplicity that "he had never promised her, and 

 would not marry her, as his friends objected to the match." 

 What are the good Greenlanders coming to? I recom- 

 mended that he should leave his betrothed in her own 

 home, with her mother and family. His asking a passage 

 for her, in order to leave her with his mother, is strong 

 proof of the sincerity of his engagement, not only to his 

 lady-love, but to the ' Fox ' also. 



Governor Elberg has promised to get me some fossil fish, 

 to be found only in North Strom Fiord : they are interesting, 

 as being of unknown geological date. 



The fur of the arctic hare is beautifully soft and white ; 

 it is sometimes spun, and knitted into the nicest ladies' 

 gloves possible. I was not able to procure more than one 

 pair, and the poor woman who made them could not conceal 

 her delight at receiving for them a shilling and a few 

 biscuits. 



Holsteinborg may be a charming spot in summer, but it 

 has a northern aspect, and is now almost buried with snow. 

 It is called "Wylie Fiord" by our whalers, and is, I believe, 

 the only place on the coast suitable for laying a ship upon 



