1852.] INSTRUMENTS. 17 



offers. And in the gloom of winter, independent of well- 

 organized registers of the customary requirements of our 

 present improved profession, many scraps will be found 

 worthy of note, and possibly of deeper interest than our 

 scale of knowledge may possibly at the time deem im- 

 portant. The record of nonsense can be obliterated, but 

 the failure to record undeniable facts, only to be witnessed 

 once in a life, is unpardonable. 



The instruments from the Hydrographic Office rested 

 on my selection from those in store. Several were made 

 expressly for me, but the deficiency in reliable light alti- 

 tude and azimuth circles could not be made up. Of 

 these, at least of two more, I felt the want, even of good 

 theodolites. Of the artificial black horizons I must say 

 they were useless untrue : but the entire blame, if any, 

 rests with me. The five-inch azimuth and altitude, by 

 Gary, was perfect, and saved many a position. It was 

 my companion for fifty-two days over very rough ground, 

 and to the summits of many mountains, without fault or 

 damage. 



In the compass department, the Hydrographer and 

 Captain Johnson were unremitting in their endeavours 

 to produce the best travelling instruments, and which 

 shoidd at the same time occupy the smallest space. In 

 all this they acted with their customary forethought and 

 ability; and if the magnetic needle ever was called in 

 aid, the instruments were good. 



But in the Arctic travelling season very seldom was it 

 used. The sun, the great umpire in all matters of truth, 

 was not often so long veiled, night or day, but we had his 

 advice. And here, indeed, the labour and forethought 



VOL. i. c 



