1852.] PASS THE SHORTEST DAY. 189 



intention of going to Melville Island or the ' North Star/ 

 even to Behriug's Strait or the Sandwich Islands, from 

 whence most liberal offers had been forwarded. Nothing 

 short of the blackest ingratitude and treachery could in- 

 duce such a step . the curtain fell in vapour ! 



Thus M r e passed the Rubicon of this much talked- 

 of polar winter in Northumberland Sound, the evening 

 terminating at a supper given on board the ' Pioneer,' 

 where " bright eyes" as well as " Brother Polars" were 

 not forgotten. 



Scarcely have we breathing time, at this busy season, to 

 dispel the amusing matters yet floating before our eyes, 

 ere some other equally great, or greater, event demands 

 our attention. Surely our good friends in England must 

 be now pitying the poor unfortunate Polars, deprived 

 of the light of that cheering and health-supporting lu- 

 minary, which glaringly but too often reminds them of 

 some gap in their circle, as well as dwelling on the hor- 

 rid cold of that inclement, boisterous north, and dream- 

 ing of bears, wolves, and starvation ! 



Wait a few moments : Christmas approaches, and less 

 noise and confusion perhaps prevails, all are intent on 

 some great object ; mighty preparation is going forward, 

 of which the principal, as at home, is kept in profound 

 ignorance : enough that he knows when he sees the bill 

 of fare, and " pays the piper." 



December 25. At midnight certain sounds of music, 

 not customary, were noticed near my cabin door, and 

 permission to enter having been granted, a demi-official 

 note was presented (from the uniform I should imagine 

 from the Court of Louis Napoleon). This was, I even- 

 tually found, a Christinas Ode, followed by the same very 



