Part 3

We come now to the habits of their mind, in which ’tis first observable that they are much given to superstition, which is no wonder while they live in Woods among wild Beasts, and maintain little correspondence one with another: but of their superstition we shall treat elswhere. Furthermore they are beyond all imagination fearfull and mean spirited, being frighted at the very sight of a strange man, or ship; above all things dreading War: the reason of all this being the cold to which they are condemn’d, and the meanness of their diet, which cannot supply good blood and spirits; wherefore they are useless in war, and the _Swedes_ who raise men in all the other Provinces, find none in this, as it appears from the ancient Records and Catalogues of all the Souldiers that ever were listed by former Kings. So that ’tis fictitious, and rather an abuse than history, which some have reported, that _Gust. Adolphus_ had several Companies of _Laplanders_ in his Armies; but they were forc’t to find out some excuse for those many defeats, which to the wonder of the World that most victorious Prince gave his powerfull and numerous Enemies; and pretend that those Victories were obtained by the help of the _Laplanders_ and Magic. Wherefore I conclude as I said before, that this opinion is absurd and contradictory, not only to the nature of the People, but to public testimonies and writings. To which we may add that they cannot well live out of their own Country, but fall into diseases and die, being no more able to endure a milder air, or feed upon salt, bread, and boiled meats, than we could upon their raw flesh and fish dried by the Sun: for it has bin often found by experience that they are hardly temted by any reward to come even into these parts, or if they do they die suddenly afterwards, much less would they be induced to march into any more remote Countries. _Olaus Magnus_ gives us an instance of six _Rain-deers_ sent to _Frederick_ Duke of _Holsatia_ by _Steno Sture_ junior Prince of _Swedland_, with two _Laplanders_, a man and woman to be their keepers, and that both they and the beasts wanting their accustom’d manner of living, died all together in a short time. _Ziegler_ indeed on the other side saies they are a valiant People, and that they were a long time free, resisting the Arms both of _Norway_ and _Swedland_; and _Scaliger_ after him saies that against their enemies they were couragious: and _Petr. Claud._ reports they had a King of their own called _Motle_, and that _Haraldus Pulcricomus_, tho he had conquered the Countries round about, could not subdue them; but all this doth not evince their courage: for whatsoever is said of this Prince _Motle_ is nothing at all to the purpose, being all taken out of the history of _Snorro_, which speaking of _Motle_, and something of his skill in Magick, has not a word of his or his Peoples courage. And ’tis manifest that _Ziegler_ could have no ground for what he said, unless from such histories as that of _Snorro_, which therefore only seem’d true because there were none extant more likely; for in his time the _Laplanders_ were subject to the _Swedes_: unless we had rather believe that he took the _Laplanders_ and the _Biarmians_ to be the same, ascribing to the one People, what was said of the other. There is indeed mention in _Saxo_, of severall Wars of the _Biarmians_, but those not managed by courage, but Magick and Enchantments: so that it no way follows, that because they continued for many Ages a free People, that therefore they were valiant. But whatever becomes of the _Biarmians_, ’tis sure enough that the _Laplanders_ are far from being stout or warlike, who must first fight against their nature, before they can resist an enemy. Besides their innate cowardise, they are strangely prone to suspicion and jealousy, being conscious of their own weakness, and so exposed to all attemts upon them: a consequent whereof is that they are also revengefull; endeavouring to prevent those mischeifs which upon the slightest occasions seem to threaten them, by the death and ruine of the Persons that caused their suspicion, helping themselves herein, by conjuration and magick. Of this _Pet. Claud._ gives us a memorable instance, in one, that having attemted to mischeif his enemy, who was secured by countercharms, after long attendance surpriz’d him asleep under a great stone, which by a spell he made break to pieces, and kill him. The women, especially when grown old, cannot brook any suddain provocation, but upon the least indignity offered fly out into passion, and are hurried to the most wild transports that madness can dictate. The _Laplanders_ besides are very notorious cheats, and industrious to over-reach each other in bargaining: tho heretofore they had the reputation of plain dealing and honesty. So that ’tis probable that they took up their present practice, having bin first cheated by those Strangers with whom they dealt, and now think it best to be before hand with one another. It is farther observable that they take great plesure, if they happen to outwit any one; imagining that tho they are hopeless to overcome by manhood and courage, they have a nobler triumph over the minds of those whom they circumvent. They are also noted to be of a censorious and detracting humor, so as to make it a chief ingredient of their familiar converse, to reproch and despise others: and this they do especially to Strangers, of what Country soever. So fond admirers are all men of themselves, that even the _Laplanders_ will not exchange their interests with the Inhabitants of the most happy Climate, and however barbarous they are, doubt not to prefer themselves in point of wisdom, to those that are most ingenuously educated in Arts and Letters. They are likewise exceedingly covetous, it being a part of their cowardize to dread poverty; yet are they very lazy withall: and hereupon _Olaus Peters_ observes, that tho their Country in several parts of it be capable of emprovement by husbandry, yet ’tis suffer’d to lye wast: nay so unwilling are they to take pains, that till they are compelled by necessity, they hardly perswade themselves to hunt or fish. From this their covetousness and sloth arises an ill consequent, their undutifulness to their Parents when grown old; not only to contemn and neglect, but even hate and abhor them; thinking it either long before they possess what they have, or thinking it grievous to provide for those from whom they can hope for no advantage.

Their last good quality is their immoderate lust, which _Herberstein_ takes to be the more strange, considering their diet, that they have neither bread nor salt, nor any other incentive of gluttony: but their promiscuous and continual lying together in the same Hut, without any difference of age, sex, or condition, seems to occasion this effect. _Tornæus_ indeed saies of his Country-men, the _Lappi Tornenses_, who possibly are reclaimed by more civill education, that they are very chast, insomuch that among them scarce one bastard is Christned in a whole year, which is the less to be wonder’d at, the women being naturally barren.

Having given this account of the _Laplanders_ ill qualities, it will now be justice to recount their vertues, as first their veneration and due esteem of Marriage, which they more seldom violate, then many who pretend to be much better Christians. They also abhor theft; so that the Merchants only cover their goods so as to secure them against the weather, when they have occasion to leave them, and at their return are sure to find them safe, and untoucht; which is the more commendable, for that in _Lapland_ there are no Towns, or store-houses, and no man could be sure of any thing, if the People were inclined to thievery. They are likewise (those I mean of the better sort) charitable to the poor, not only by receiving those that are destitute into their Huts; but supplying them with stock whereon to live. In proof of this _Tornæus_ and _Sam. Rheen_, say that ’tis usual with them to lend _gratis_, for a considerable time, ten or twenty Rain-deers. Farther they are civil and hospitable to Strangers, whom they with much kindness invite to their Huts, and there treat with the best provisions they have. And of this there are severall instances, when any have happened to be cast upon their Coast by shipwrack, or else in the snow, or on the mountains have lost their way. Moreover they are thus far cleanly as often to wash their hands and face; tho notwithstanding _Tornæus_ tells us, they are nasty and scabby, and use not to comb their heads. Lastly they are sufficiently ingenious, making for themselves all sorts of tools and implements for their fishing and hunting; and also for severall manufactures, some of which they do very artificially, as shall be shewn hereafter in its proper place.

CHAP. VI.

_Of the Originall of the_ Laplanders.

We have intimated our conjecture concerning the originall of the _Laps_, and more then that it will be hard to produce, there being no sober history which gives testimony in this affair. Negatively we may pass sentence, and conclude they were not _Swedes_, no People differing more both in constitution of body and mind, in language and habit, or whatever else is taken for a character of likeness, or having the same originall. Neither can any one think that they were ever _Russians_ or _Moscovites_; seeing they differ as much from them, as from the _Swedes_. The _Russians_ are generally tall, the _Laplanders_ on the contrary very short; those are fat and corpulent, these lean and slender; those have thick hair, long beards, and good complexions, these wear their hair short and thin, and are dark and swarthy. But most of all the language is different, in which the _Laps_ and _Russes_ have in a manner no kind of agreement. They must then come from their Neighbours, either the _Norwegians_ on the one side, or the _Finlanders_ upon the other. But they could not well be derived from _Norway_, who are known to have drawn their originall from the _Swedes_.

It remains therefore that they came from the _Finlanders_, who have a certain division or allotment called _Lappio_. But tho we have shewed that the name and originall of this Nation is not taken thence, it is not to be doubted that they are of the race of the _Finlanders_ and _Samojedes_, and this is the opinion of most learned men, which may be farther proved by many arguments. First the name of both Nations is the same, the _Laplanders_ in their own language being called _Sabmi_ or _Same_, and the _Finlanders_ _Suoni_, which two differ only in the Dialect; and there is a tradition that they had both the same Founder _Jumi_, who could not well have bin the Author of diverse Nations. We may also observe that their languages have much affinity, tho they be not the very same, as shall be proved at large in a particular Chapter. The _Finlanders_ call _God_, _Jumala_, the _Laplanders_, _Jubmal_, the _Finlanders_ fire, _Tuli_, the _Laplanders_ _Tolle_; they call a hill _Wuori_, these _Warra_, and so they agree in many other words. Besides they have bodies and habits alike, both their limbs well set, black hair, broad faces, and stern countenances, and whatever else they have different is very small, or may easily proceed from their diet or Clime, in which they live. Their clothes too are not much unlike; for if we compare the Picture of an ancient _Finlander_, as it still remains in the Church of _Storekyr_ in _Ostrobothnia_, where the slaughter of Bishop _Henry_ was drawn at large, with mine of a _Laplander_ in Chapt. XVII. it will appear there is no great difference between them. Lastly they agree in disposition and humor: they are both much given to laziness at home, unless when necessity urges them to work; both, unmoveable from their purpose, both superstitious and lovers of Magick. And therefore _Ol. Magn._ saies of them both, that they were so skilfull Magicians in the time of their Paganism as if they had had _Zoroaster_ himself for their teacher. In a word whatever _Tacitus_ saies of the _Finlanders_, now holds true of the _Laplanders_, that _they have neither weapons, horses, nor houshold gods, they live upon herbs, are cloth’d with skins, lie upon the ground, putting all their confidence in arrows, which they head with bones for want of iron. Both the men and women support themselves by hunting, and they have no other defence for their Children against the violence of wild beasts or weather, but Huts or hurdles, which are the security of the old men as well as young._ And the same Description which _Saxo_ gives of these, belongs as well to the _Laplanders_, that _they are the farthest People towards the North, living in a Clime almost inhabitable, good archers and hunters, wanderers, and of an uncertain habitations, wheresoever they kill a beast making that their mansion, and they slide upon the snow in broad wooden shoes_. Besides all this, the _Norwegians_ and _Danes_ call the _Laplanders_, _Fenni_, as may be seen in _Petr. Claud._ where he divides the _Finlanders_ into _Siofinnar_, i. e. maritime _Finlanders_, and _Lappefinner_; i. e. _Lappfinlanders_, the same with the _Laplanders_. This may be collected too from the _Russians_ calling them not only _Lappi_, but _Kajienni_, the original of which name can be no other but that they esteem them to be the _Cajani_, of which name there is a Province now in _Finland_ called _Cajania_ the great.

But here some imagine that the _Laplanders_ came not in probability from the _Finlanders_, because the one are very warlike, the other cowards, these fat and corpulent, those lean and meager. But this doth not at all invalidate our arguments; for every one knows that diet will much alter the habit of the body, and the _Finlanders_ have plenty of good nurishing meats, of which the _Laplanders_ are quite destitute. And for the _Finlanders_ courage in war, heretofore they were not so notable for it, for _Tacitus_ saies _they had neither arms nor horses_, by which he implies they knew not at all what belonged to war. Neither are they very expert at it yet, for by daily experience ’tis found when they are likely to be prest for Soldiers they hide themselves, and by all means decline employment, therefore they are not warlike from their nature, but from their discipline and arts, and in their natural temper they differ not much from the _Laplanders_. But what need we go about to prove this by so many arguments, when they confess themselves they are originally sprung from the _Finlanders_, and still keep a list of the Captains that first led them forth into _Lapland_, of whom _Mieschogiesch_ is the chief. The same is confirm’d by _Andr. Andresonius_ who lived there, and learn’t it from them, only that he said _Thins kogreh_ was the cheif Captain, and so doth _Zachar. Plantin_. But whatever is said of either of these two Captains, we are not to imagine that they brought the first Plantation of _Laplanders_ into this Country, for ’tis not probable they should so long remember their names, who must have lived before _Saxo_, for he mentions this Country, and lived about 480 years before us, at which time the _Finlanders_ themselves scarce know what was done, much less the _Laplanders_. And this the name _Thinns_, doth something prove, which none shall perswade me to be an old _Finland_ word, for it is the same with the _Swedes_ _Thinnis_, and the Dutch _Thinius_, i. e. _Antonius_, and that the word _Antonius_ was known to the _Finlanders_ before _Christ_ no man will suspect. The same may be said concerning the pretended occasion of the Colony of _Finlanders_ setling in _Lapland_; for they themselves say, that they left _Brokarla_ and _Rengoarvis_, because they were opprest with taxes and pitcht first in a wood in _Ostrobothnia_ called _Tavastia_ near the _Bodic bay_. But all this, as hath bin shew’d the very name of _Lappi_, which signifies banish’t persons, sufficiently confutes. _Plantin_ and _Peter Nieuren_, pretend that though the _Laplanders_ voluntarily removed to _Tavastia_, they were forc’t to their present habitation: for the Natives of _Tavastia_, griev’d to see them in a florishing condition, wearing rich clothes, fareing deliciously, and abounding in all manner of wealth, chose them a Captain called _Matthias Kurk_, and with a great number invaded their quarters, killing and plundering all they met with, not desisting till they had quite drove them as far as the Rivers _Kimi_ and _Torne_: and not long after perceiving they lived too happily there, they set upon them the second time, dealing so cruelly with them, that leaving their Cattel they were forc’t to fly into those barren Countries they now inhabit, carrying with them only their nets. _Plantin._ adds further that _Andr. Andresonius_ affirms he saw some ancient letters, in which mention was made of _Kurk_ a Governour of the _Laplanders_: but as for his other name of _Matthias_, it is plain it was postnate to Christianity, since which time if we should imagine the _Laplanders_ first to have come into these parts, we must also suppose the Country to have bin till then uninhabited, whereas we have all reason to believe that the _Biarmi_ and _Scridfinni_ lived here before _Christ_, the latter of which seem by their name to have bin only a Colony sent out of _Finland_: and mention is made of _Finlanders_ in these parts in the time of _Harald_ the fair, or _Harfager_ King of _Norway_, and his Son _Ericus Bodsexe_, who lived long before the times of Christianity, and went down into _Finmark_ and _Biarmia_, and obtained a great victory over them. Now if he went by Sea Northwards of _Norway_ to come to _Finmark_, _Finmark_ then must have bin near _Norway_, as lying North of it near the Sea, that is the same Country that is now named _Finmark_, which because then inhabited by _Finlanders_, as appears by the name, it is not to be believed that it was first possess’t by the _Laplanders_ that were drove out of _South-Bothnia_ by _Matthias Kurk_. Neither are they called _Lappi_ from being driven out then, for they were so called in _Saxo_’s time, and there is little reason to believe that _Matthias Kurk_’s expedition was before him, especially from that inscription which mentions _Kurk_, since that in those times they knew not so much of writing as to record any thing in it.

Wherefore we must find out some better authority to confirm to us the originall of the _Lapps_, for we may believe that the _Finlanders_ more then once march’t out into _Lapland_, which is evident from the several names of their leaders, whom some called _Thinns-Kogre_, others _Mieschogiesche_. The first and most ancient is that from whence the _Biarmi_ took their originall, whom I conclude to have descended from the _Finlanders_, from calling their Gods by _Finlandish_ names. Besides in their nature and manners they agree with the ancient _Finlanders_: and lastly are called by all Strangers _Scridfinni_, i. e. _Finlanders_ going upon frozen snow, which, the ancient knowing none else to go so, took to be the _Biarmi_. But the name of _Biarmi_ was given them by the _Finlanders_ from their going to dwell upon the Mountains, from the word _Varama_, which signifies a hilly Country: now because Strangers knew from the _Swedes_ they used wooden shoes to go upon the snow, which by the _Swedes_ are called _Att Skriida_, not knowing the name _Biarmi_, they called them _Scridfinni_: and because the _Finlanders_ and _Biarmians_ were of the same originall, they were often subject to the same Prince, as to _Cuso_ in King _Holters_ time. What the occasion was of this leaving their Country is yet doubtfull, except it was for fear of the _Swedes_, who in the reign of King _Agnus_ invaded _Froste_ King of _Finland_, and harassed the whole Country. The second time of deserting their Country was when the _Russians_ enlarged their Empire as far as the lake _Ladog_. For fearing the cruelty of these People they retired into _Lapland_: which I am apt to beleive because the _Russians_ call them _Kienni_, as has bin said before from their passage through _Kajania_ into _Lapland_, which they could not have known but by their own experience; and their wars with them, especially those of _Carelia_ and _Cajania_ being so ignorant both in history and other Countries, that they scarce know any thing of their own, that is of any antiquity. And this proves what we have said of their second leaving their Country, which was about the 6^{th} age after _Christ_: and these perhaps are they which are simply called _Finni_ by the _Danes_, _Swedes_, and _Norwegians_, or with the addition of _Siæ_ or _Field_, obsolete words of the _Biarmians_, because they were more then they in number, especially after _Harald Harfiger_ King of _Norway_, who almost destroyed all the _Biarmi_ in battle. In the mean while the _Finlanders_ lay secure in _Finmark_, and all the _Biarmi_ being extinct, the name of _Finni_ obtained, and the name and credit of the _Biarmi_ was quite abolish’t and forgot. And these are all the times they left their Country before they were called _Lappi_, for till after this they were never called otherwise than _Finni_, _Scritofinni_, and _Biarmi_. But in after ages we find them named _Lappones_, of whom _Adam. Bremensis_ makes no mention who lived in 1077, but _Saxo_ doth, that lived in 1200; and therefore ’tis probable that in that intervall of time, after they were call’d _Lappones_, they made their third migration. But any one that will examine the histories of that time, will scarce find any thing that should move the _Finlanders_ to leave their Country, as _Ericus Sanctus_ hath made it appear in that Expedition in which he brought them under the _Swedish_ Government, and planted among them the Christian Religion, which he made in the year 1150, when no small number of them the third time seem to have deserted their Country, and gone into _Lapland_. And the reason is plain, having bin subject’d to Strangers, and forc’t to be of a Religion different from that of their Ancestors, which thereupon was hatefull to them, and therefore no wonder some of them sought out a place where they might live free: which is as good a reason too why they were called _Lapps_ by those that stayed, for they submitting to the _Swedes_, and embracing Christianity, look’t upon them as desertors of their Country, whom fear only of a good Government, and better Religion, had made exiles, especially when the King had put forth an Edict that all should be accounted banish’t that would not renounce Pagan Superstition; therefore they were justly called _Lappi_, and care not to hear of the name to this day.