I40 L E T T E R VI. 



extream hard, as to bear any weight whatever. 

 Their way of travelling from Town to Town is, 

 in Sledges, that are well lined with Bear-fkin, 

 and other Furrs. They wear Furr Waiftcoats, 

 and wrap themfelves up in other warm Garments^ 

 having thick Furr Gloves, and a Woollen Cap^ 

 which covers their whole Head and Neck, leav- 

 ing only peep-holes for their Eyes, a Cafe for 

 the Nofe, and a breathing-hole for their Mouths. 

 Thus equipped, they get into the Sledges, each 

 perfon carrying a Gun, ready charged, in order 

 to keep off Bears and Wolves, with which their 

 Forefts abound : And then a light-heeled Finlan- 

 der runs on foot, and leads the Horfe, who draws 

 the Sledge, at a fwift rate; they for the mofl part 

 travelling upon Rivers, becaufe the Snow or Ice 

 is there, much the levelleft and moft even. The 

 Bears and Wolves do not care to attack Men, un- 

 lefs Hunger drives them to it, in exceffive cold 

 and fevere Weather : And as there go five or fix 

 Sledges together in company, fo they apprehend 

 little or no danger, becaufe the difcharge of a 

 Fire- Arm or two, will quickly oblige thofe rave« 

 nous Creatures to fcour back again to the Woods. 

 I faw feveral Storks there, which refutes the vul- 

 gar notion, mz. That they are no where to be 

 found but in a Republick : In Holland^ they are 

 vaftly numerous, I fuppofe, becaufe they there 

 meet with moil: plenty of Food, and greateft en- 



2 courage- 



