1853.] ANXIETY ABOUT HOUSING. 11 



against his will, I could not shake off a most incom- 

 prehensible feeling, which internally informed me I was 

 wrong ; I became very nervous, irritable, and excitable ; 

 opposition seldom cures such complaints. At every turn 

 of tide our safety hummocks were disturbed, and the 

 vibration touched a corresponding chord in my wakeful 

 disposition. 



On the other hand, I was also anxious to complete, at 

 the earliest prudent moment, before winter became in- 

 conveniently obnoxious, my intended scheme of render- 

 ing the ship warmer and more comfortable than last 

 season ; but this could not be effected until the housing 

 ^vas finally secured. 



As these remarks relate especially to my own views of 

 winter protection and arrangements, it may be as well to 

 warn those not interested in the discussion of such dry 

 subjects, that they occupy one or two pages. I imagine 

 that hitherto we have been in error as to the principles 

 which should be observed in such arrangements. Ta- 

 king into consideration the experience which I have had, 

 derived partly from personal opportunities, partly from 

 the records of each Arctic adventurer, I mean, of those 

 who afford us a proper estimate of Esquimaux habits, 

 and the effect resulting to their constitutions ; further, 

 upon some little experience upon the modes of life among 

 the North Americans, Russians, Dutch, Danes, etc., I 

 have arrived at the conclusion, that so long as a supply 

 of pure air can be introduced to sustain the fires in their 

 proper duty, and the healthy respiration of the beings 

 confined between decks, all that is required is effected. 

 Now, part of this duty is to demand fresh air, and to 



