Journal of the Third Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West PassageParry, William Edward, Sir
History
Journal of the Third Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage
Parry, William Edward, Sir
Arctic regions -- Discovery and exploration -- British; Fury (Ship); Hecla (Ship); Northwest Passage
half the time of the people sitting there is occupied in vociferating
their names and driving them by most unmerciful blows out of the
apartments. The dogs have no water to drink during the winter, but lick
up some clean snow occasionally as a substitute; nor indeed if water be
offered them do they care about it unless it happens to be oily. They
take great pleasure in rolling in clean snow, especially after or during
a journey, or when they have been confined in a house during the night.
Notwithstanding the rough treatment which they 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account