THROUGH LAPLAND. 
55 
out relutftance, believed whatever the priefts deemed proper to 
tell them, and tamely and indolently gave up a part of their good 
things in order to preferve the relh. The priefts, on the other 
hand, followed the fame principles in Lapland, no doubt, as in 
other countries, and were not more zealoufly concerned for the 
falvation of fouls, than careful that no one fhould go without the 
benefit of their inftruCtions, who poflefted fome hundreds of rein¬ 
deer. The poor ignorant Laplanders paid with tolerable pati¬ 
ence the contributions required by the miflionaries, who promifed 
them happinefs in another w r orld, which probably, according to 
their limited conceptions, would confift in drinking brandy from 
morning to night. Nothing opens men’s eyes fo effectually as 
their interefts ; and on what account, or by what rule of right or 
reafon, they are compelled to fhare their property with the com- 
miftaries of government, from whofe police, laws, and juftice, 
they derived no manner of advantage, is a matter of which they 
have no conception. In faCt, they look upon rulers and their 
commifiaries in no other light than that of robbers, who like to 
live in eafe and luxury, at the expence of others, without taking 
the trouble, like themfelves, of following the rein-deer, or even, 
being at the pains either of filhing or hunting. They have no 
idea of the utility of vifitors from whom they derive no protec¬ 
tion or benefit, and whom they confider merely as men who eat 
and drink, and confume the fubftance of hundreds of other men. 
Such are the notions entertained by the true, or vagabond Laplan¬ 
ders, who remain in their native deferts, and who, ftiut up in their 
mountains. 
