THE collection before us has the merit not merely of being rich 

 in itself, but of being absolutely original and representing the 

 legendary world of the extreme East Eskimo. 



When one day, as we trust will be the case,, collections of 

 legends from other Eskimo lands have been brought together, the 

 collection before us will win increased value, and then it may well 

 be that what now seems insignificant and meaningless may prove 

 to be of interest for the conclusions which may be gathered from it 

 as to the mutual relationship of the tribes. The collection will thus 

 form a source to which we may refer for information as to the 

 culture of the Eskimo in the past. 



Greenland tales and legends presuppose an oral recitation and 

 an audience which feels quite at home in the conditions and the life 

 depicted in them. In other words, if they are to be properly ap- 

 preciated, they should be heard in the Greenlandic tongue and in 

 Greenland itself, and the hearer ought to be able to enter into the 

 Greenland mode of thought. 



When these emanations from the spiritual life of the people are 

 committed to writing, and still more when they are translated, the 

 poetic spirit with which they are imbued more or less evaporates. 

 The feelings of sublimity which the voice of the narrator can arouse 

 when he tells of man's struggle with the elements, is partially lost, 

 and the reader feels little or none of the awe which steals upon the 

 listener as he hears of the perils with which man is everywhere 

 encompassed in these desolate regions; finally, lack of thorough under- 

 standing may also contribute to exaggerate the ghastliness and repul- 

 siveness of some of these narratives. 



Points which go to render the West Greenland tales and 

 legends — many of them at least — more palatable for non-Green- 

 landers have met with a less generous, not to say scanty, treatment 

 in these Eastern narratives. The sickly and despised child growing 

 up to be a strong and mighty man, the protection of the outcast 

 and the weak by higher powers, the courage and great exploits of 

 the kaiakers, woman's domestic virtues and prudent thrift, — to put 



