OUR FELLOW-PASSENGERS 13 
Greenland. The American traveller, Peary, who 
was one of the pioneers of exploration in the 
extreme north and first demonstrated the insularity 
of the country, caused the natives ‘to emerge 
from the Palaeolithic conditions under which they 
had hitherto been accustomed to live.” Rasmussen, 
whois one of the best friends the Eskimoes ever had, 
determined to found a permanent Settlement for 
the purpose of preserving and continuing the good 
influence of Peary and as a base for his own 
expeditions. Thule is the most northerly Arctic 
Settlement in the world. Knud Rasmussen and 
Mrs Rasmussen were our fellow-passengers on 
the voyage from Copenhagen and from him I had 
an account of the objects of the Fifth Thule 
Expedition upon which he was about to embark. 
News has been received of the satisfactory pro- 
gress of the expedition which is chiefly concerned 
with the investigation of the customs, language, 
and folk-tales of the groups of Eskimoes scattered 
over the Arctic Archipelago. In addition to Danish 
officials returning from leave the passengers in- 
cluded two Danish bishops, a church dignitary 
from Norway, and others who were going to take 
part in the Hans Egede celebrations. The Primate 
of Denmark, Bishop Ostenfeld, was availing him- 
self of the favourable opportunity afforded by the 
Hans Egede celebrations of paying a visit to 
his diocese beyond the sea. On the roughest 
day one was always sure of finding the bishop , 
happily smoking a pipe with a bowl of unusual 
capaciousness. There were also two Swedish 
