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THROUGH LAPLAND. 55
out reluctance, believed whatever the priefts deemed proper to
tell them, and tamely and indolently gave up a part of their good
things in order to preferve the reft. The priefts, on the other
hand, followed the fame principles in Lapland, no doubt, as in
other countries, and were not more zealoufly concerned for the
falvation of fouls, than careful that no one fhould go without the
benefit of their inftructions, who poffeffed fome hundreds of rein-
deer. The poor ignorant Laplanders paid with tolerable pati-
ence the contributions required by the miffionaries, who promifed
them happinefs in another world, which probably, according to
their limited conceptions, would confift in drinking brandy from
morning to night. Nothing opens men’s eyes fo effectually as
their interefts ; and on what account, or by what rule of right or
reafon, they are compelled to fhare their property with the com-
miffaries of government, from whofe police, laws, and juttice,
they derived no manner of advantage, is a matter of which they
have no conception. In faé, they look upon rulers and their
commiffaries in no other light than that of robbers, who like to
live in eafe and luxury, at the expence of others, without taking
the trouble, like themfelves, of following the rein-deer, or even
being at the pains either of fifhing or hunting. They have no
idea of the utility of vifitors from whom they derive no protec-
tion or benefit, and whom they confider merely as men who eat
and drink, and confume the fubftance of hundreds of other men.
Such are the notions entertained by the true, or vagabond Laplan-
ders, who remain in their native deferts, and who, fhut up in their
mountains,
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