SARYTSCHEW’S TRAVELS. 
tfren for whom such a frame can be made firmer and closer, 
are kept sometimes a whole year and even longer, until another 
comes into the world to supply its place. Such coffins are deco¬ 
rated by the mothers with enamel beads, thongs, and bird’s bills, 
and hung over their beds. 
1 shall now conclude my description of these islanders with 
some few remarks on their capacities, propensities, and morals. 
The Aleutians have a good natural understanding, very consi¬ 
derable talents, and a quick comprehension; some of them 
were very expert at cards, draughts, or even chess, in which 
none of our companions could excel them. They are indebted 
for these acquirements to the Russian hunters, who, without in¬ 
tending any good to the islanders, sought by this means to en¬ 
liven the leisure time, which hung heavy on their hands. Had 
they however, chosen to turn their thoughts to the introduction 
of agriculture and every rural occupation, they would have ob¬ 
tained their own object more effectually, and enjoyed the grati¬ 
fying reflection of having contributed to the civilization of a 
savage people. 
The inhabitants are very quiet and peaceable among each 
other, at least as far as we can judge from experience, having 
never observed the least discord among them, during our whole 
stay. 
On my journey round the island, they every where received 
me with the greatest friendliness, and entertained me in the 
kindest manner, so that I may with justice place hospitality 
among the principal virtues of this rude people ; it being dis¬ 
played to all who pass through their places, without regard to 
relationship or acquaintance; for I myself was witness to their 
sharing the half of their own provisions with perfect strangers 
from other islands, and that too without receiving any compen¬ 
sation. At the same time they have the commendable custom 
of relieving every one from the painful necessity of asking for 
any thing, by setting before the weary traveller whatever they 
possess, as soon as he enters their jurt and is seated. In ad¬ 
dition to this, the Aleutians form an exception to savages in 
general, and particularly those inhabiting the Eastern Islands, 
that they are not thieves. Nor have I observed any other evil 
propensities among them, but indolence and ingratitude. They 
never betray any vehement emotions, nor do their countenances 
ever indicate either vexation, melancholy, or joy, on any ocr 
casion, however extraordinary. On the return of a relative 
from a distance, he is received with as much unconcern as if 
he had never been absent. He likewise goes himself without 
saluting any one, or speaking a word, into his partition of the 
jurt, seats himself by his relations or wives, and takes off his 
