ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait. 225 



liis estimation as second to his fii-st wife she appears to be quite 

 happy, and during our stay here gave birth to her third child. A 

 similar instance was met with at Cape Chudleigh, and in each case it 

 seemed to be understood that those who were benefited by the death 

 of these worthless fellows should give the executioner some assistance 

 in supporting his family. 



One man who had three wives, I was informed by Ugaluk, would 

 have been content with one, but having no family he had married 

 a second and a third, and now, poor miserable wretch, he was hardly 

 able to support one, and all were childless. 



Undoubtedly some of the matches between the sexes are arranged 

 by the parents when their children are very young, nevertheless there 

 was a good deal of love making. This was especially noticeable in 

 the early summer when they were often seen together, and apparently 

 without asking leave of anybody several started their own igloos. 

 Much, however, as we dislike to think of it, it must be said, their love 

 is little more than that of the bii'ds of the air, excepting in constancy. 

 Affection for one another they have, but such a thing as secrecy in 

 any of the many phases of love is hardly thought of. 



As far as could be seen no such thing as a marriage ceremony is 

 performed. Girls marry at sixteen and even earlier, and when two 

 are agreed they can be happy together, they either start their own 

 igloo or the bride is received into the house of her husband's family 

 and there they might be seen, husbands and wives, brothers and 

 sisters all living happily together in one room or igloo. 



The affection existing between parent and child is of the roughest 

 kind, and is very interesting to watch. Little display is noticeable, 

 and yet there appeal's to be intense earnestness in looking after the 

 child's welfare, while the child is a pattern of obedience to its parents. 

 The affection between husband and wife is much the same, but 

 rapidly wanes if one becomes useless in the support of the other. 



Partly in natural affection and partly from selfish motives all help 

 one another, but it is a mistake to suppose that when a hunter 

 returns with success he immediately shares his catch with his neigh- 

 boui-s, for some were always found richer in food and household goods 



