CRUISE OF THE STEAMEE COBWIN. 



29 



not required to work, although such as desire it are giveu remunerative employment. By reason 

 of the high price allowed for the labor of skinning seals, these people are able to earn in less than 

 two months a sum amply sufficient to maintain them during the entire year, a sum much larger 

 iu fact than the average amount received by laboring men in the United States for a year's work. 

 In addition to this they are supplied free of charge with a quantity of fuel, salt meat, condensed 

 milk, etc., while they have no rent to pay. In religion they adhere firmly to the tenets of the 

 Greek Church. While this church doubtless exercises a good infiuence over these people spirit- 

 ually, it drains their pockets systematically to the extent of some thousands of dollars annually, 

 not for the benefit of the church at St. Paul alone, but for the benefit of the church authorities in 

 San Francisco, to whom the major portion is sent. Like all other primitive people, these natives 

 possess an inordinate louglng for intoxicating liquors of any description. Fortunately all means 

 of gratifying that desire are now denied them. They are allowed neither sugar nor hops, and can 

 not, therefore, make quass. Gambling is their favorite i^astime and is a habit which can not be 

 checked. No bad effects are perceptible, however, as the stakes are usually small. The company 

 retain to the credit of every man a sum sufficient to buy provisions for their families until such 

 time as they can earn more on the seal field, thus preventing the men from squandering all of their 

 money and leaving their families destitute. They would readily invest all of their earnings iu 

 jellies, preserves, sweet crackers, silks, etc., but the company will sell them these articles only iu 

 limited quantities, encouraging them to buy useful and necessary supplies instead. By precept 

 and example on the part of the Government agents and the employees of the company, these 

 natives are encouraged to lead an upright and industrious life. The welfare of these people and 

 the interests of the Government are well taken care of by Mr. H. A. Gliddeu, special agent in 

 charge of the seal islands. 



Such statistical information as I have been able to collect in regard to the island of St. Paul 

 is set forth in the following tables : 



Taile sJioxoing the number of people on the inland of St. Paul at the end of each year, and the number of deaths occurring 



each year, ivith the causes of death ascribed. 



