32 ALASKA. 



living as they do, than cliey would be anywhere else iu our 

 coimtry, with an exceptional case, of course, here and there, for 

 they are not distinguished by either energy or industry, as a 

 class. 



I have been assured by the Russian bishop having the spirit- 

 ual direction of affairs in the Greek Catholic Church, now es- 

 tablished in the Territory, that there is no intention on the part 

 of the home church to neglect its interest there ; that he is at 

 the present time busily engaged iu fitting a class of young 

 Russians for the work of priests and teachers in Alaska, by 

 giving them a thorough knowledge of the English language in 

 addition to the regular course of discipline usually necessary 

 for his church. 



If «-e, on the part of the Government, attempt to teach them, 

 we shall soon have to feed some eight or ten thousand paupers. 

 All they need is to be sustained and protected in their hunting 

 industries, as is indicated iu the following chapter, and they 

 will take care of themselves. 



..^ 



