42 Thirty Years 



intending that Mr. Back and Hepburn should accom- 

 pany me, whilst Dr. Eichardson and Mr. Hood re- 

 mained till the spring at Cumberland House. 



After the 20th December the weather became cold, 

 the thermometer constantly below zero. Christmas-day 

 was particularly stormy ; but the gale did not prevent 

 the full enjoyment of the festivities which are annually 

 given at Cumberland House on this day. All the 

 men who had been despatched to different parts in 

 search of provision or furs returned to the fort on the 

 occasion, and were regaled with a substantial dinner 

 and a dance in the evening. 



1820. The new year was ushered in by repeated 



January l. ( ij sc h ar g es f musketry ; a ceremony which 

 has been observed by the men of both the trading 

 Companies for many years. Our party dined with Mr. 

 Connolly, and were regaled with a beaver, which we 

 found extremely delicate. In the evening his men 

 were entertained with a dance, in which the Canadi- 

 ans exhibited BOme grace and much agility ; and they 

 contrived to infuse BOme portion of their activity and 

 spirits into the steps of their female companions. The 

 half-breed women are passionately fond of this amuse- 

 ment, but a stranger would imagine the contrary on 

 witnessing their apparent want, of animation On 

 such occasions they affect a sobriety of demeanor 

 which I understand to lie the very opposite of their 

 genera] character. 



