Among the Sealers.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1815, 25 July 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

Among the Sealers.

It was interesting to note the difference in character crop out as the community gradually took upon itself civilisation. Some were naturally prudent and easily saved a surplus ; othsrs would be in debt at the end of the year. In 1877 a smali proportion of their number, perhaps ten per cent., had invested about £200 to £250 with the fur company. The be.39 paid class, the ablest workers, received over £80 each for their season's work, and as they could oblain a large part oi their food from the resources of the island without cost, and received tbeir houses furnished, rent free, their needs were fcxr. To foreign ways in clothes and fashion they inclined very naturally. The year before my coming the scaling parties had brought to the island considerable quantities of ready-made clothing as an article of trade, and tbe men were consequently fairly well dressed ; but only a small quantity of cloth suitable for dresses had been taken, aad the women had not begun to make their clothing in any regular form. But in time, with some assistance, their ready adaptability made them a very well dressed people. Before I came away the wives of those who had been saving sent their measures to Sitka, with orders for alkdres3es for church wear; and the young men arrayed themselves in broadcloth, wore gloves anl well blacked boots, and carried perrumed handkerchiefs. As my time was not fully taHcn up with ray duties, and good fortune hrougut to me an abiding place oi unusual size for St. Paul, I seized the happy chance of making my house a meeting place for the people, and especially for the children. Later we fitted up a schoolroom, which we also made a place for social entertainment, and kept the school open eight months in the year. We were greatly assisted in our school duties by illustrated books and papers sent to us ; for so unvaried and barren was the scenery of the island, which was all of the world these children had ever seen, that it was well nigh imposiible for them to corn--prehend physical objects of the simplest nnt'ire. What a mountain might bo was beyond their understand ing, and the difficulty oE explaining t'le appearance of a great foreft to children who knew no vegetable growth larger than the purple lupine of their pintle slopes, was greater than one can tell. I» was necessary however, to exercise the strictest censorship in our illustrated lessons, as U was difficult for all to comprehena caiicature even in its simplest forms ; even the most impossible pictures they believed representud facts. I found the people living in separate families, and, as tar as I could see, there was no more immorality among them than would be found in any decent civilised com muuity. The women were modest in deportment, the children obedient and respectful to their parents, and the men always manifested a disposition to assist me in all my efforts. In character they were mild and gentle, j with the expression of settled melancholy, habitual to those races which have no amusements. Iv this respect, however, they changed greatly as opportunity developed, the merriment latent in their nature. The children when first taught to speak did so in a serious way, and the utter absence of anything like hearty laughter in a group of them always affected me strangely. It seemed as if their avenues of expression were closed to pleasure ; and later, when they had learned the simple games I taught them, it was a great satisfaction to me to hear my rooms ring with their merry voices.