NATIVES OF GREENLAND. 83 



fiddle amongst them, they contrive to make out a pleasing 

 entertainment. The men talk over their exploits in seal 

 hunting, at which the boys are always attentive and silent 

 hearers. Sometimes the song is raised, when one who 

 leads the chorus repeats a Hne, and this is immediately suc- 

 ceeded by all the rest, joining in a short accompaniment of 

 no particular meaning. 



They are extremely hospitable, particularly to any of 

 their own nation who happen to pass near their abode, in 

 removing from one place to another in search of seals. 

 A brotherly invitation is instantly given, and the utmost 

 attention paid to the stranger, who freely imparts his ex- 

 perience of the season, and receives in return such infor- 

 mation as he requires. It is this interchange of good 

 offices which makes them set so high a value on each 

 other. 



The language of the Greenlanders or Uskee-mes is very 

 guttural. Like the Norwegians, they pronounce the letter 

 r in the throat, so that it is not easy to distinguish many of 

 their tones. They pronounce their words with great 

 fluency ; and their accents seem to be numerous, by the 

 peculiar stress with which they deliver certain sounds. 

 There are many consonants which they never use at the 

 beginning of words, as they prefer commencing generally 

 with a vowel. Even such words of other languages as they 

 are desired to repeat, they dress in their oAvn sounds ; and 

 if it begin with any of the proscribed letters, such is 



M 3 



