131 



T^he'n- habitation in winter is in a ditch sunk 6 or 8 feet, and 

 covered with moss, reeds and skins of Rhen-dcer. Regnier's 

 Account of Lapland. In summer they lodge in huts formed 

 of posts ^xed in the earth, and covered with moss and skins, 

 and so low that one cannot stand upright in them. Both 

 have a hole at the top to give a passage to smoke. 6 

 L'Evesque, 450. 



They purchase their wives from their fathers, and enter in- 

 to strict matrimonial contracts, it does not appear that the\' 

 are polygamists. They have a contempt for women, and 

 think them polluted, and therefore do not permit them to 

 dress their victuals. 6 L'Evesque, 447. 



Their disposition mild, peaceable, gay and courteous, even 

 to strangers, 6 L'Evesque, 441. Mem. Stock. 1734. 222. 



They are much attached to their own independent wander- 

 ing mode of life, and think themselves the happiest of men. 

 6 L'Evesque 437- 39- Mem. Stock. 47. Yet of those that 

 border on Norway, many pass into it to enjoy somewhat 

 more of the comforts of life. It is not wonderful that they 

 should prefer even the most indigent independence to the 

 tyrannic disposition of the neighbouring governments. 



It is said that the Laplanders originally inhabited a less 

 inhospitable climate, but were driven northward by the Fins 

 and Russians. Mem. Stock. 1734. p. 2l6. 



s 3 I'rbm 



