SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. O 



the superiority, in a very high degree, lies with those whose 

 feelings and practices we had occasion to study. The facts, on 

 both sides, were noted ; and though I should not make the 

 deductions myself, they could be made by any reader. 



It cannot be forgotten, by those who have interested them- 

 selves in the history of the people of Igloolik, that the aged 

 parent was neglected, and that the helpless or widowed females 

 in particular, were not simply sutfered to starve, but robbed of 

 their little property. We had not the means of studying a very 

 numerous tribe, and, of course, many facts could not have come 

 under our notice ; but, such as they were, they could not have 

 been exceptions, since they seemed consistent with the whole 

 feelings and course of the community, and may, therefore, be 

 safely taken as instances of general character and practice. Not 

 to name mere instances, we found the aged Illiktu drawn ou 

 a sledge by his companions, when the old man above alluded to 

 was suffered to walk as he best could ; as was equally the case 

 with Tulluahiu, whom we supplied with a wooden leg to 

 replace his loss. If the ancient wife of the former was as well 

 clothed and fed as any of the rest of the tribe, it was more 

 remarkable to find two old and destitute females in the same 

 good condition, and as well taken care of in every manner as if 

 they were still of use. 



If this feature of their character removes from these people 

 tliat charge of most disgusting selfishness and inhumanity which 

 rests with so much justice on those of Igloolik, according to the 

 published accounts, I need but notice, that there exists here the 



