Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1881 — Courtship in Greenland. [ARTICLE]

Courtship in Greenland.

There is something exceedingly rifetancholy In the accounts which ate jfiyeu of the Custon of courtship in Greenland. Generally women enter upon the blessed estate vfith more willingness and lees solicitude thafl met*. The women of Greenland are

an exception to this rule. A Greenlander, having his affections upon leme female, acquaints his parents with the shite of his heart. They apply to the parents of the girl, and if tne parents aie thus agreed the next proceeding is to appoint two female negotiators whoso duty is to broach tne subject to the young lady. This is a matter of great tact and delicacy. The ambassadors do not shock tbe young lady to whom they are sent by any sudden or abrupt avowal of tbe awful Subject of their mission. Instead of doing tbis they launch out In praises of the gentleman who seeks her hand. They speak of thqapispdor of his bony* the sumptuousneae of his furuUusa, of his courage aud skill lb catching seals, and other acompUahmente. The ladjapretending to be affronted even tv these remote hints, runs away, tearing] tbe ringlets of hair as she retires, while the ambassadresses, having got the consent of her parents, pursue her, take her by force to tbe house of her destined husband, and therejeaye her. Compelled to remain there, ehelitjTfqf day 8 with diaßeyelfed hair, eilSptAnd dejected, refusing ‘every kind tenance, until at last, If kind entreaty, do'not prevail, she IS cdlttptltett fcp

force, aud even by .Jblows, la submit to the detested union. In somwe&scmJta Greenland women faint at the jjjb\ rtls of marriage: in others they ay the mountains and only return when compelled tddo T*T bjgllMgr and cold. If one outs olrnerTUlfll W a sign that she is determined to resist to death. The Greenland the glare of her Japto a life of toil, drudgery'at<H>svatj§n.