imãikille! Tunnisfigut udlome pikfavtinnik! Pisfaräunatta akkêtforavta, pisfængillavuttäak akkêtfortivut! Usfernartomut pisfitfarãunatta, ajortomidle annãutigut! Nâlægãunerogavit pirfarfõunerudluttidlo usfornarnerudluttidlo isfokʻangittomut. Amen."
The minister Kjer has been at work translating "Robinson Crusoe" into Esquimaux, that copies might be printed and distributed among his people in Greenland. In his library there is an Esquimaux Bible, and everything is done to make the natives of Holsteinborg good and happy. Dr. Rink has also issued some useful story-books in Esquimaux, one of which books, and also a copy of the doctor's famous work, the governor kindly gave me.
Dr. Rink is so well known by repute among scientific men and others, that I need hardly say much about him. Unfortunately, he was absent at my visit, but I wrote to him about the object of my undertaking, and expressed my regret at not having had the pleasure of an interview.[1]
- ↑ The following is a copy of the letter I sent to Dr. Rink, and, as it explains some matters that belong to my movements after this date, I here append it:
"Holsteinborg, Greenland, July 24th, 1860.
"On board the barque George Henry."Dr. H. Rink:"Dear Sir,—Though unacquainted personally, yet I claim to know you, n common with my countrymen, from your works, as a man devoted to the increase of knowledge among men, especially that knowledge pertaining to geography and science.
"On my arrival here, July 7th, it was with sorrow that I learned from Governor Elberg that you had departed. The pleasure and profit, intellectually, of meeting one so experienced in and devoted to the regions of the North would have been incalculable.
"I am on my way to King William's Land, viâ Frobisher Strait, Fox Channel, Fury and Hecla Strait, Gulf of Boothia, and Boothia. On the peninsula of Boothia and King William's Land I expect to spend the next three years, devoting myself mainly to the object of continuing and completing the history of the Franklin Expedition.
"I am satisfied that Frobisher Strait can be navigated, though no vessel has yet penetrated through its entire length. Fox Channel, on the east side, has never been navigated beyond latitude 66° 50′ N. Fox's Farthest, and Parry's discovery near the east entrance of Fury and Hecla Strait, should be connected by other discoveries. I am hoping to complete this chain of discoveries this year.
"Since my arrival here in Greenland—17 days ago—I have received
