OF THE POLAR SEA. 



53 



As some relief to the darker shades of 

 their character it should be stated that in- 

 stances of theft are extremely rare amongst 

 them. They profess strong affection for 

 their children, and some regard for their 

 relations, who are often numerous, as they 

 trace very far the ties of consanguinity. A 

 curious instance of the former was men- 

 tioned to us, and so well authenticated, that 

 I shall venture to give it in the words of 

 Dr. Richardson's Journal. 



" A young Chipewyan had separated 

 from the rest of his band for the purpose 

 of trenching beaver, when his wife, who 

 was his sole companion, and in her first 

 pregnancy, was seized with the pains of 

 labour. She died on the third day after 

 she had given birth to a boy. The hus- 

 band was inconsolable, and vowed in his 

 anguish never to take another woman to 

 wife, but his grief was soon in some degree 

 absorbed in anxiety for the fate of his 

 infant son. To preserve its life he de- 

 scended to the office of nurse, so degrading 

 in the eyes of a Chipewyan, as partaking of 



