1853.] BUCKINGHAM ISLAND. 309 



had become a fluid moving chute of debris for at least 

 one foot iu depth, and the attempt which we made on 

 the steep part was highly dangerous, particularly to the 

 men who carried the instruments. Retreat was impos- 

 sible, and our only chance was to put forward our whole 

 efforts and reach the flat. Heartily thankful were we to 

 regain the tent, for smothering in mud was an inglorious 

 mode of exit. 1 have continued the use of the term 

 "tent," but the 'Hamilton' served this purpose; and 

 as she was always dry and warm, at this season particu- 

 larly, she was invaluable. 



The island received the name of Buckingham, and the 

 mount Windsor, after the royal palaces : the entire 

 group was called the Victoria Archipelago. 



One circumstance connected with these islands still 

 continued to puzzle me. I could not but think it strange 

 that as the outlines of these islands were clearly and dis- 

 tinctly defined from several of our stations, on mountains 

 of fifteen hundred feet elevation, that these same emi- 

 nences were now entirely hidden, notwithstanding they 

 were searched for in the computed direction with good 

 and powerful instruments. The summits only of these 

 islands were seen from Princess Royal Island, from 

 whence they appeared but as dots on the horizon. Fur- 

 ther reflection on these matters clearly convinced me 

 that, from height to height, objects of one thousand feet 

 elevation could not be satisfactorily seen at a greater dis- 

 tance than forty miles. From Mount Victoria every fea- 

 ture of this group was distinctly visible, and strongly im- 

 pressed on my mind, -never to be erased. Each point, 

 bluff, etc., was duly registered ; and when, at a later pe- 



