Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/82

Rh the fire up in the mountain, and, from what I afterward gathered in an explanation I had with the governor, when I apologized for our thoughtlessness, it was evident that the Esquimaux dreaded the loss of what they considered their best fields—not woods—of fuel. Fortunately, the fire went out in about an hour after its discovery by the people. It was on this Sunday afternoon that I heard of a curious custom here. The dance-house is regularly opened after 4 The people go to church in the morning and afternoon, then they consider Sunday to cease, and amusement begins. I went to the dance-house, where I found the governor, his lieutenant. Miss Bülou, and Mrs. Kjer. Miss Bülou and the lieutenant-governor danced, but the governor has not for years, and the priest and his wife never. Sometimes 150 persons are crowded into this dance-house.

I asked the governor when the Sabbath began. He replied, "On Saturday evening, and ends Sunday at 4 " I farther inquired if the Esquimaux were at liberty to work after that hour on Sundays. He said, "No, certainly not." "Then how is it the government dance-house is opened for balls at that time?" said I. "Oh, that is not work!" responded the good Governor Elberg.

Referring to the amusements of these native Greenlanders, I am led to speak of a great festival that occurs here on the Danish king's birthday, and is general, on the same day, throughout all the settlements. His Danish majesty supplies the good cheer, and Europeans as well as Esquimaux join in the festivity. It is a most enlivening scene, as the accompanying sketch will show. The original of this picture, which I have in my possession, was drawn by a Greenlander, and Mrs. Kjer, who gave it to me, said it was an admirable representation of the great festal day. On another occasion I visited the church one Sunday morning, when the school-teacher—a native Esquimaux—preached exceedingly well, and I must say that the general attention given would do credit to people anywhere. The preacher played an organ, and went through the whole