32 ALASKA. 



living as they do, than chey would be anywhere else in our 

 country, 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 in fitting a class of young 

 Eussians for the work of ijriests 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 we, 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 in the following chapter, and they 

 will take care of themselves. 



