Doubtful Blessings

Raising herds of reindeer is almost the sole business of nomad Lapps. Illiterate and uncivilized, they make little or no distinction between Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, roam the extreme northern wastes of those countries which they call "Lapland." When winter comes adult nomad Lapps have a persistent habit of getting dead drunk for months at a time, leave to their hardy children the task of feeding the reindeer. When two Lapp men fight in earnest--and if they fight at all it is generally in earnest--the victor is apt to make a eunuch of his foe. Last week King Gustaf V of Sweden received an offer of charity to his Lapps from the famed Swedish author-physician, Dr. Axel Munthe (The Story of San Michele) who firmly believes the Lapps are a favored people, able to converse with gnomes and elves.

Dr. Munthe sent $18,000 to King Gustaf "as a first instalment," asked that the money be spent to keep Swedish Lapland safe for Swedish Lapps. "Above all, Your Majesty," wrote Donor Munthe, "do not force upon Laplanders the evil eye of obtrusive tourists or the doubtful blessings of civilization."

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