1852.] REMARKS ON WARMTH OF VESSELS. 183 



rendered these vessels comfortable, at least habitable, even 

 with an external temperature of 40 below zero. It is 

 now too late to commence working with iron tools ; and 

 in that temperature I should hesitate to ask, much more 

 command, any out-door work ; but I do promise to re- 

 medy, if my ability permits, great part of these faults 

 next season. My plans are already formed, and have been 

 hinted at weeks since. Looking simply to the tempe- 

 rature, I feel satisfied, so long as we can ensure a mode- 

 rate dry air, that icy surfaces, ready to absorb all the 

 flying vapours, are not injurious, are indeed safety- 

 valves ; and my opinions are chiefly derived from actual 

 observation, principally on the habits of the Americans, 

 Dutch, Russians, Danes, and Esquimaux. I cannot re- 

 call to mind any well-authenticated case of weakness, in- 

 jured health, or disease amongst them, and yet they all 

 pursue the hot dry air principle, rushing even into ex- 

 tremes. 



The great evil here is the grossly unscientific mode of 

 entering our domiciles by our chimneys, in other words, 

 by our hatchways ; all other people civilized, and es- 

 pecially the uncivilized Esquimaux, enter by the lower 

 levels. Experience has taught them that cold descends, 

 and will not run up an inclined plane if any break or re- 

 sistance is offered. The only mode of obviating this on 

 shipboard is, unless an entering or timber-port be cut 

 in bow or stern, by producing such a labyrinth to the 

 main entrance on deck, that the intervening atmosphere 

 shall be warmed before it reaches the hatchway, and not 

 permitted to act on the decks ; further, that all objects 

 interfering with the radiation of heat from the galley fire 



