We have had inquiries about the Esquimaux who were brought over here by Lieutenant Peary, when he brought the great meteorite from the Arctic regions.
These poor people have not been having a happy time of it.
This climate is so much warmer than their own and so different from it in every respect, that they had not been here very long before they all fell ill.
The attendants at the Natural History Museum, where they were taken, said that they first learned there was anything the matter with their charges by hearing them give voice to strange and grunting noises.
The party of Esquimaux were allowed to wander at will through the museum, and they spent much of their time roaming from room to room looking at the exhibits. No one interfered with them.
The museum is a place for study, and loud talking is never permitted. When, therefore, the attendants heard these very peculiar grunts, they began to look around to find who was daring to make so much noise.
I am afraid they suspected that some small boys were playing tricks.
They were much surprised to find that these dismal sounds came from the Esquimaux.
One of the officials, being unable to pacify them, took them all in charge and hurried them off to a quiet part of the building, sending at the same time for a doctor.