42 Thirty Years 
intending that Mr. Back and Hepburn should accom- 
pany me, whilst Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood re- 
mained till the spring at Cumberland House. : 
After the 20th December the weather became cold, 
the thermometer constantly below zero. Christmas-day 
was particularly stormy ; but the gale did not prevent 
the full enjoyment of the festivities which are annually 
given at Cumberland House on this day. All the 
men who had been despatched to different parts in 
search of provision or furs returned to the fort on the’ 
occasion, and were regaled with a substantial dinner 
and a dance in the evening. 
1820. The new year was ushered in by repeated 
January. discharges of musketry ; a ceremony which 
has been observed by the men of both the trading 
Companies for many years. Our party dined with Mr. 
Connolly, and were regaled with a beaver, which we 
found extremely delicate. In the evening his men 
were entertained with a dance, in which the Canadi- 
ans exhibited some grace and much agility ; and they 
contrived t6 infuse some portion of their activity and 
spirits into the steps of their female companions. The 
half-breed women are passionately fond of this amuse- 
ment, but a stranger would imagine the contrary on 
witnessing their apparent want of animation. On 
such occasions they affect a sobriety of demeanor 
which I understand to be the very opposite of their 
general character. 
