4 SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. 



among themselves : the natural produce of the human passions, 

 acting where there is no control from religion, from the belief 

 of an omnipotent Creator and Governor ; and where checked, 

 subject to none but those checks which the mutual convenience 

 of the society renders necessary. It is at least certain that they 

 had never possessed the opportunity of acquiring the vices of 

 civilization when we first knew them ; but I cannot confidently 

 affirm that they learned no evil from us. 



If the fondness of the Esquimaux race for their children has 

 been noted by those who have preceded us in these regions, if is 

 a portion of their character which has been amply confirmed by 

 our own observations on the present tribe. The testimonies of 

 this never failed ; nor could they be flattered and gratified more 

 than by the attentions and caresses bestowed by us on their 

 offspring. It equally confirms prior observations to say, that 

 we never saw any chastisement administered, nor ever witnessed 

 even harsh language to them ; while, in return, the children are 

 affectionate, attached, and obedient. To say more on this 

 subject would indeed be but to repeat what has already been 

 noticed by Captain Lyon, in many instances, in his account of 

 other tribes. 



But there was one material point in which I must differ from 

 my predecessors : though indeed I cannot call this differing, since 

 each of us can but note what he has seen. It only follows, that 

 from some cause, which neither T, nor they, I imagine, can assign, 

 the people of this district differ in a very material point of 

 character from those with whom they were so well acquainted ; as 



