220 SLEDGES INSPECTED. \Mafch, 



soon freeze into a still more solid mass. I began now to 

 repent having altered my determination, of weeks past, 

 to start the depot on the 16th: but we live in glass 

 houses. If any accident resulted, and the party had 

 started before the 21st, blame would have been heaped 

 on me. " Success is wisdom ; " but to keep up success, 

 leave no hole in your jacket uumended. I was per- 

 suaded easily (for this reason) to await the 22nd. 



On the 17th of March it was calm, with the thermo- 

 meter at +1. I inspected eight sledges, officers and 

 crews, in travelling order, and complete as in tables in 

 Appendix. The first division, now about to start, under 

 Commander Richards, numbered six sledges. 



Commander Richards 8 men. 



Lieutenant Osborn 8 



Lieutenant May 11 



Mi-. Pym, Mate 11 



Mr. Allard, Master (additional) 11 



Mr. Ricard, Assistant-Surgeon (additional) 8 



57 Men. 1770 Rations. 



On the 19th, blanket wrappers, travelling-boots, mits, 

 etc., were completed. I am not aware that these sub- 

 jects have been discussed, but they are matters which to 

 the landsman require explanation ; and where success 

 attends any particular mode of dress, any habit of travel, 

 etc., it becomes of importance to the general interests of 

 this service that it should be recorded, for good or evil, 

 to be followed or avoided. Hitherto all our attention 

 has been most intensely directed to the foot equipment. 

 I have throughout disliked the carpet boots : for tra- 

 velling they are useless. The last Expedition, I believe, 



