38 SURVEY OF THE PORT. \JunC, 



of the line. It conveniently accommodates five sail, in 

 berths where fifty-gun frigates would be safer than in 

 Portsmouth harbour. 



The Governor, Mr. Erasmus Moeldrup, showed us 

 every attention, and afforded us all the information in his 

 power. A survey was made of the port and entrance, 

 and some of our sportsmen managed to find exercise and 

 amusement, if not game, by climbing some of the frown- 

 ing hills immediately over the anchorage, particularly 

 that which I have noticed as the best guide in seeking 

 this port. This hill, estimated by some of those who 

 had not tried its ascent, was estimated at seven to eight 

 hundred feet above the level ; measurement, however, 

 proved it to be 2100 feet. The Governor and family 

 were entertained on board both vessels, and some of the 

 younger hands had an opportunity of getting up their 

 polkas and quadrilles, etc., with some of the half-breeds 

 of Danes, who really performed to admiration, and having 

 been duly dressed, from " the theatre property," in Eu- 

 ropean feminine costume, were not wanting in beauty. 



Having obtained seal- skins for booting our travelling 

 parties, and other supplies, we quitted Lievely on the 10th 

 of June, intending to examine a locality in the Waigat, 

 where the Governor informed me that coal abounded, 

 and might be obtained at the beach with little labour, 

 but that it was cheaper for them to get it from England, 

 than to pay the wages demanded by the Esqiiimaux.* 

 Another spot, within forty miles, was also named. 



As the ice threatened westerly, I hoped to get round 

 inside it by the Waigat channel, coming out by the north 

 * This ooal since visited by the ' Phcpnix.' 



