Intellectual Character of the Esquimauz. 329 
When there are no children it is considered a reproach to 
both parties, but the poor woman generally gets the most 
blame, and is very ill treated, except she is a wise woman, and 
then she obtains a second husband and has another chance. 
Nothing can exceed the affection of the Esquimaux for 
their children; which is displayed, not in the mere passive in- 
dulgence and abstinence from corporal punishment, but bya 
thousand playful endearments, such as parents and nurses prac- 
tise in our own country. Nor, indeed, is severity necessary ; for 
the gentleness and docility of the children are such as to occa- 
sion their parents little trouble. Even from their earliest in- 
fancy the Esquimaux possess that quiet disposition, gentleness 
of demeanour, and uncommon evenness of temper, for which, 
in more mature age, they are for the most part distinguished. 
Disobedience is scarcely ever known; a word or even a look 
from a parent is enough ; frowardness and disposition to mis- 
chief, so common to our youth, form no part of their disposi- 
tion. They never cry for trifling accidents, and sometimes 
not even from very severe hurts, at which an English child 
would sob for an hour. It is, indeed, astonishing with what 
indifference even tender infants bear the numerous blows they 
accidentally receive while carried at their mothers’ backs.* 
It has been asserted by alate traveller, that the Esquimaux 
will barter their children for some trifling present ;+ but, be- 
lieve me, and I have been at some pains to determine that 
point, there is no ground for such an assertion. Sir Edward 
Parry was at first inclined to fall into this error, but upon a 
better acquaintance with the people, he discovered his mis- 
take ; and, let it be said to his praise, he has freely and pub- 
licly corrected himself.t 
Esquimaux youth are as fond of play as any other young 
people and of the same kind; only, that, while an English child 
draws a cart of wood, an Esquimaux of the same age has a 
sledge of whalebone ; and, for the superb baby-house of the for- 
mer, the latter builds a miniature hut of show, and begs a 
lighted wick of her mother’s lamp to illuminate the little dwell- 
Se ae aaa cer ee 
* Lyon. t Back. { Parry, p. 531. 
