May, 1858. THE LOVES OF GREENLANDEES. 115 



ringing, I went on shore. It proved to be only 

 a christening. The little dusky infant received 

 a long string of European names. There was 

 a small description of barrel-organ, to the sound 

 of which the congregation joined in, keeping up 

 a loud monotonous chant. Most of the young 

 people had hymn-books in their hands, printed 

 in the Esquimaux language. 



Ravens seem very abundant, also large grey 

 falcons : perhaps the dead whales may have 

 attracted an unusual number. 



Poor Christian has not only fallen desperately 

 in love, but has engaged himself to the object 

 of his affections, a pretty Esquimaux girl. He 

 asked me to-day to give her a passage up to 

 Godhavn, as he wished to leave her in charge 

 of his mother until his return there with us 

 next year, when his engagement for the voyage 

 would be fulfilled. Having heard a rumour 

 of a young woman awaiting his return with 

 anxiety at Godhavn, I taxed him with it, but he 

 replied with great simplicity that " he had never 

 promised her, and would not marry her, as his 

 friends objected to the match ! " What are the 

 good Greenlanders coming to ? I recommended 

 that he should leave his betrothed in her own 

 home, with her mother and family. His asking 

 a passage for her, in order to leave her with his 



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