OUR FELLOW-PASSENGERS 13 



Greenland. The American traveller, Peary, who 

 was one of the pioneers of exploration in the 

 extreme north and first demonstrated the insularity 

 of the country, caused the natives 'to emerge 

 from the Palaeolithic conditions under which they 

 had hitherto been accustomed to live.' Rasmussen, 

 who is one of the best friends the Eskimoes ever had, 

 determined to found a permanent Settlement for 

 the purpose of preserving and continuing the good 

 influence of Peary and as a base for his own 

 expeditions. Thule is the most northerly Arctic 

 Settlement in the world. Knud Rasmussen and 

 Mrs Rasmussen were our fellow-passengers on 

 the voyage from Copenhagen and from him I had 

 an account of the objects of the Fifth Thule 

 Expedition upon which he was about to embark. 

 News has been received of the satisfactory pro- 

 gress of the expedition which is chiefly concerned 

 with the investigation of the customs, language, 

 and folk-tales of the groups of Eskimoes scattered 

 over the Arctic Archipelago. In addition to Danish 

 officials returning from leave the passengers in- 

 cluded two Danish bishops, a church dignitary 

 from Norway, and others who were going to take 

 part in the Hans Egede celebrations. The Primate 

 of Denmark, Bishop Ostenfeld, was availing him- 

 self of the favourable opportunity afforded by the 

 Hans Egede celebrations of paying a visit to 

 his diocese beyond the sea. On the roughest 

 day one was always sure of finding the bishop 

 happily smoking a pipe with a bowl of unusual 

 capaciousness. There were also two Swedish 



