252 OCCUPATIONS OF WOMEN. 



when the subject is a stranger ; but among themselves they are 

 very discreet in the exercise of this faculty. A few of the men 

 showed some quickness in interpreting the drift of our inquiries 

 respecting their superstitions and usages ; but for the insight we 

 gained of these we were usually indebted to the women — especially 

 the younger ones, who, besides being more communicative, displayed 

 more readiness in this respect — for the first information, which, 

 being afterwards confirmed by the older men, served as a clue to 

 guide farther inquiry. 

 \/ A man seems to have unlimited authority in Iris own hut, but as, 

 with few exceptions, his rule is mild, the domestic and social posi- 

 tion of the women is one of comfort and enjoyment. As there is no 

 affected dignity or importance in the men, they do not make mere 

 slaves and drudges of the women; on the contraiy, they endure 

 their full share of fatigue and hardship in the coldest season of the 

 year, only calling in the assistance of the women if tuo wearied 

 themselves to bring in the fruits of their own industry and patience; 

 and at other seasons the women appear to think it a privation not 

 to share the labours of the men. A woman's ordinary occupations 

 are sewing, the preparation of skins for making and mending, 

 cooking, and the general care of the supplies of provisions. Occa- 

 sionally in the winter she is sent out on the ice for a seal which her 

 husband has taken, to which she is guided by his foot-marks ; and 

 in spring and summer she takes her place in the boat, if required. 

 Seniority gives precedence when there are several women in one 

 hut, and the sway of the elder in the direction of everything con- 

 nected with her duties seems never disputed. In the superinten- 

 dence of household affairs the active mother of the master of a hut 

 or of his wife must be a great acquisition to his family, from her expe- 

 rience and from the care and interest she displays in their manage- 

 ment ; and, as her natural desire is to see her children happy around 

 her, she exerts herself to promote their well-being and harmony. 



It is said by themselves that the women are very continent before 

 marriage, as well as faithful afterwards to their husbands ; and this 

 seems to a certain extent true. In their conduct towards strangers, 

 the elderly women frequently exhibit a shameless want of modest}', 

 and the men an equally shameless indifference, except for the re- 

 ward of their partner's frailty. In the neighbourhood of Tort 

 Clarence this is less the case than farther north, whilst on the Island 

 of St. Lawrence it is, perhaps, more so than on any part of the coast. 

 The state of wedlock is entered at a variable time, but seldom in 

 extreme youth, unless as a convenience to the elders, who desire 

 an addition to the household. The usual case is, that as soon as the 



