NATIVES OF GREENLAND. 59 



having his dinner in the European manner ; but he is, in a 

 great degree, compelled to adopt the former custom of 

 necessity ; and the effects arising from custom are Avell 

 known to infuse themselves into the constitution, and pro- 

 duce what is generally denominated habit. Ellis relates a 

 story of a youth who had been carried away from his native 

 country, and, on his return, the sailors having killed a seal, 

 he eagerly seized a portion of the raw flesh and ate it, 

 expressing his delight at finding a circumstance which so 

 strongly brought to mind his dear native country. 



The fact, however, is, that the national appellation by 

 which these people distinguish themselves from others is not 

 Esquimeaux, as has been so long received, but is by them- 

 selves pronounced in quite a different manner. Were I to 

 write it, as I observed it spoken by them, it should be Uskee- 

 me (pronounced according to our sounds oos-ke-ma) ; and of 

 this appellation they are as proud as a native of this country 

 is of the name of Briton. Any person desirous of obtain- 

 ing their immediate attention and civility, should address 

 them with the term Uskee, which never fails to ensure that 

 respectful regard which is shown by conciliated minds. 

 The English sailors indulge in their usual humour of ab- 

 breviating names, and have not refrained from exercising 

 their ingenuity in reducing Uskee into Yak, which in- 

 genuity, however, has not afforded much satisfaction to the 

 natives. Probably by similar means the North American 

 Yankee has been invented. 



