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(p. 111)
"Our astonishment was
unbounded, when, after creeping through some long
low passages of snow, to enter the different dwellings,
we found ourselves in a cluster of dome-shaped edifices,
entirely constructed of snow, which, from their
recent erection, had not been sullied by the smoke
of the numerous lamps that were burning, but admitted
the light in most delicate hues of verdigris
green and blue, according to the thickness of the
slab through which it passed.
(p. 114) There were five clusters of huts, some having one, some two, and others three domes, in which thirteen families lived, each occupying a dome or one side of it, according to their strength. The whole number of people were 21 men, 25 women, and 18 children, making a total of 64. The entrance to the dwellings was by a hole about a yard in diameter, which led through a low-arched passage of sufficient breadth for two to pass in a stooping posture, and about 16 feet in length; another hole then presented itself, and led through a similarly shaped, but shorter passage, having at its termination a round opening, about two feet across. Up this hole we crept one step, and found ourselves in a dome about seven feet in height, and as many in diameter, from whence the three dwelling-places, with arched roofs, were entered. It must be observed that this is the description of a large hut, the smaller ones containing one or two families, having the domes somewhat differently arranged. Each dwelling might be averaged at 14 or 16 feet in diameter by 6 or 7 in height, but as snow alone was used in their construction, and was always at hand, it might be supposed that there was no particular size, that being of course at the option of the builder. The laying of the arch was performed in such a manner as would have satisfied the most regular artist, the key-piece on the top being a large square slab. The blocks of snow used in the buildings were from four to six inches in thickness, and about a couple of feet in length, carefully pared with a large knife. Where two families occupied a dome, a seat was raised on either side, two feet in height. These raised places were used as beds, and covered in the first place with whalebone, sprigs of andromeda, or pieces of seals’ skin, over these were spread deer pelts and deer skin clothes, which had a very warm appearance. The pelts were used as blankets, and many of them had ornamental fringes of leather sewed round their edges. Each dwelling-place was illumined by a broad piece of transparent fresh water ice, of about two feet in diameter, which formed part of the roof, and was placed over the door. These windows gave a most pleasing light, free from glare, and something like that which is thrown through ground glass. We soon learned that the building of a house was but the work of an hour or two, and that a couple of men, one to cut the slabs and the other to lay them, were labourers sufficient." |
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