THEIR HABITS OF DEVOTION. 59 



of these people, an officer of the Dorothea 

 accompanied them to their abode at the head 

 of a small cove, about four miles to the south- 

 ward of Magdalena Bay. 



They had here a comfortable wooden hut 

 well lined with moss, divided into three com- 

 partments; in one of which there were three 

 carcasses of fine venison, and many wild ducks. 



It was with extreme pleasure we noticed, 

 in this retired spot, probably the most northern 

 and most desolate habitation of our globe, a 

 spirit of devotion rarely exercised in civilized 

 countries. On landing from the boat, and ap- 

 proaching their residence, these people knelt 

 upon its threshold, and offered up a prayer with 

 fervor and evident sincerity. The exact nature 

 of the prayer we did not learn, but it was, 

 no doubt, one of thanksgiving, and we con- 

 cluded it was a custom which these recluses 

 were in the habit of observing on their safe 

 return to their habitation. It may, at all 

 events, be regarded as an instance of the 

 beneficial effect which seclusion from the busy 

 world, and a contemplation of the works of 

 Nature, almost invariably produce upon the 

 hearts of even the most uneducated part of 

 mankind, 



This is one of the few remaining establish- 



