^24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



In speaking of the moral side of the Eskimo's character it is need- 

 less to repeat the many disgusting stories that have been told so often. 

 It is sufficient to know that according to our standard of morality 

 they are immoral, but from what we know of other I'aces we must 

 admit that they at least are comparatively virtuous savages. Even 

 our moi-ality in which we boast seems to have the effect of corrupting 

 what little virtue the savage possesses when it comes in contact with 

 him and we may say, nowhei-e is this so distinctly seen as among the 

 Eskimo. On the north side of the strait where vessels often call on . 

 their way to and from Hudson's Bay exchange of wives is sometimes 

 practised, while on the south side, where there is little or no inter- 

 course with these vessels, such a thing was never heard of, and it is 

 well known to those interested that sailors who were allowed to act 

 much as they liked on the north side were met with virtuous scorn by 

 those living on the south shore. 



At Cape Prince of Wales a few Eskimo had three wives, several 

 had two, but the greater number by far had only one, and there were 

 several old bachelors. 



In nearly all cases the best hunters have the most wives, and a 

 ■widow who is the sti'ongest and best worker stands the best chance 

 of marrying again if she is so disposed, especially if she has sons, for 

 they are considered a source of strength to a household while 

 daughters are looked upon as a weakness. 



Although in most cases a second wife is taken through affection for 

 her, in many instances it is undoubtedly done in charity, and there is 

 one peculiar law or custom among those met with in the Strait that 

 may be worth relating. If a married Eskimo has been considered 

 only worthy of death for some offence the man who undertakes to 

 execute him becomes responsible for his wife and children. The 

 woman becomes tlie wife of the murderer, and her children are treated 

 with kindness by him. Two instances of this strange custom came 

 under my notice, one of which was that of my favourite Ugaluk who 

 informed me that some years ago tliere lived a bad Eskimo who would 

 not work, but stole from everybody, and he undertook to do away 

 with him. While in friendly conversation he stabbed him and 

 carrying his body out on his kyak dropped it into tlie sea. His wife 

 and three children now live with Ugaluk, and although she stands in 



