Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo - Alternative Religions ...

Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo - Title Page
p. 76
VII.I NFLUENCE OF CONTACT WITH EUROPEANS.
The natives of the Danish districts, whose numbers during last century seem to have been greatly on the
decrease, were afterwards, for a long period, again increasing; while, since 1855, they have remained
almost stationary between 9400 and 9700 souls. They have long been Christianised, and brought into a
regular state of subjection to the Danish Government, by means of the monopolised trade, the
missionaries and schools, as well as several other administrative institutions. The introduction of
intoxicating liquors, as well as those acts of violence and oppression which in other countries have
destroyed the primitive races, especially those who live by hunting, have been here unknown. Scarcely
any other country will be found where the Europeans have shown so much consideration for, and been so
careful of, the uncivilised natives as in this case. From the very beginning of the monopolised trade, it
has been carried on with a view to introduce and make accessible to them such articles as were judged to
be most necessary and useful to them; and not without much hesitation have such articles of luxury as
bread, coffee, and sugar, besides tobacco, been sold to them. By help of native schoolmasters, instruction
is given to the children in all the wintering place, except a few where the number of inhabitants is too
small. Attempts have been made to provide the natives with necessary medicines, along with some
medical aid, although the latter remains, of course, very insufficient and illusory, on account of the
extreme distances; and finally, the Government has endeavoured to establish regular institutions for the
relief of the poor, and likewise taken measures for the administration of justice and laws, as far as
circumstances would admit. Still, the general destructive influence of nations at a far more advanced
stage of culture upon those on a p. 77 lower stage may here be tracedpoverty, combined with
predisposition to certain diseases, having sensibly increased. Greenland must be considered peculiarly
adapted for making closer inquiries as to the nature of this influence.
From the earliest times of the colonisation, Europeans of the working classes have intermarried with
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