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OF THE POLAR SEA. 105 



January 1, 1820. — The new year was 

 ushered in by repeated discharges of mus- 

 ketry ; a ceremony which had been ob- 

 served by the men of both the trading com- 

 panies for many years. Our party dined 

 with Mr. Connolly, and were treated with 

 a beaver, which we found extremely deli- 

 cate. In the evening his voyagers were 

 entertained with a dance, in which the 

 Canadians exhibited some grace and much 

 agility; and they contrived to infuse some 

 portion of their activity and spirits into the 

 steps of their female companions. The 

 half-breed women are passionately fond of 

 this amusement, but a stranger would ima- 

 gine the contrary on witnessing their appa- 

 rent want of animation. On such occasions 

 they affect a sobriety of demeanour which 

 I understand to be very opposite to their 

 general character. 



January 10. — This day I wrote to Go- 

 vernor Williams and Mr. Connolly, re- 

 questing them to prepare two canoes, with 

 crews and appointments, for the conveyance 

 of Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood, with our 



