people save the Eskimo, among whose traditions are a few directly relating to the old Norsemen, and several traces of Norse influence.[40] For more than two hundred years Greenland seems to have been neglected, almost forgotten. It was visited by whalers, chiefly Dutch, but nothing in the form of permanent European settlements was established until the year 1721, when the first missionary, the Norwegian clergyman Hans Egede, landed, and established a settlement near Godthaab. Amid many hardships and discouragements he persevered; and at the present day the native race is civilized and Christianized. Many of the colonists of the 18th century were convicts and other offenders; and in 1750 the trade became a monopoly in the hands of a private company. In 1733-1734 there was a dreadful epidemic of smallpox, which destroyed a great number of the people. In 1774 the trade ceased to be profitable as a private monopoly, and to prevent it being abandoned the government took it over. Julianehaab was founded in the following year. In 1807-1814, owing to the war, communication was cut off with Norway and Denmark; but subsequently the colony prospered in a languid fashion. _Authorities._--As to the discovery of Greenland by the Norsemen and its early history see Konrad Maurer's excellent paper, "Geschichte der Entdeckung Ostgronlands" in the report of _Die zweite deutsche Nordpolarfahrt 1869-1870_ (Leipzig, 1874), vol. i.; G. Storm, _Studies on the "Vineland" Voyages_ (Copenhagen, 1889); _Extraits des Memoires de la Societe Royale des Antiquaires du Nord_ (1888); K. J. V. Steenstrup, "Om Osterbygden," _Meddelelser om Gronland_, part ix. (1882), pp. 1-51; Finnur Jonsson, "Gronlands gamle Topografi efter Kilderne" in _Meddelelser om Gronland_, part xx. (1899), pp. 265-329; Joseph Fischer, _The Discoveries of the Norsemen in America_, translated from German by B. H. Soulsby (London, 1903). As to the general literature on Greenland, a number of the more important modern works have been noticed in footnotes. The often-quoted _Meddelelser om Gronland_ is of especial value; it is published in parts (Copenhagen) since 1879, and is chiefly written in Danish, but each part has a summary in French. In part xiii. there is a most valuable list of literature about Greenland up to 1880. See also _Geographical Journal_, passim. Amongst other important books on Greenland may be mentioned: Hans Egede, _Description of Greenland_ (London, 1745); Crantz, _History of Greenland_ (2 vols., London, 1820); _Gronlands historiske Mindesmerker_ (3 vols., Copenhagen, 1838-1845); H. Rink, _Danish Greenland_ (London, 1877); H. Rink, _Tales of the Eskimo_ (London, 1875); (see also same, "Eskimo Tribes" in _Meddelelser om Gronland_, part xi.); Johnstrup, _Giesecke's Mineralogiske Reise i Gronland_ (Copenhagen, 1878). (F. N.) FOOTNOTES: [1] Inglefield, _Summer Search for Franklin_ (London, 1853).