receive from their masters, their attachment to
them is very great, and this they display after a short absence by
jumping up and licking their faces all over with extreme delight. The
Esquimaux, however, never caress them, and, indeed, scarcely ever take
any notice of them but when they offend, and they are not then sparing
in their blows. The dogs have all names, to which they attend with
readiness, whether drawing in a sledge or otherwise. Their names are
frequently the same as those of the people, and in some instances are
given after the relations of their masters, which seems to be considered
an act of kindness among them. Upon the whole, notwithstanding the
services performed by these valuable creatures, I am of opinion that art
cannot well have done less towards making them useful, and that the same
means in almost any other hands would be employed to greater advantage.

In the disposition of these people, there was, of course, among so many
individuals, considerable variety as to the minute points; but in the
general features of their character, which with them are not subject to
the changes produced by foreign intercourse, one description will nearly
apply to all.

The virtue which, as respected ourselves, we could most have wished them
to possess, is honesty; and the impression derived from the early part
of our intercourse was certainly in this respect a favourable one. A
great many instances occurred, some of which have been related where
they appeared even scrupulous in returning articles that did not belong
to them; and this, too, when detection of a theft, or, at least, of the
offender, would have been next to impossible. As they grew more familiar
with us, and the temptations became stronger, they gradually relaxed in
their honesty, and petty thefts were from time to time committed by
several individuals, both male and female, among them.

The bustle which any search for stolen goods occasioned at the huts was
sufficient proof of their understanding the estimation in which the
crime was held by us. Until the affair was cleared up, they would affect
great readiness to show every article which they had got from the ships,
repeating the name of the donor with great warmth, as if offended at our
suspicions, yet with a half smile on their countenance at our supposed
credulity in believing them. There was, indeed, at all times, some,
trick, and cunning in this show of openness and candour; and they would
a