64 SYLVESTER'S APPARATUS. [November, 



lower deck. I cannot imagine that any seaman would 

 sail his ship two feet by the bows, on the chances of de- 

 riving benefit from his warm air apparatus. 



Quitting this subject, and turning my thoughts seri- 

 ously to this fact of uplifting, the natural question arises, 

 For what purpose is this interference of Nature ? Has 

 it any connection with our safety ? Will it tend to our 

 destruction or preservation ? Most undoubtedly, on sci- 

 entific reasoning, it must conduce to the latter : each 

 succeeding litt will aid in taking her keel out of the 

 clayey bottom, and should another "run of the ice" re- 

 cur, merely pass her higher up, leaving her keel unhurt. 

 To those far distant the natural impression would induce 

 the belief that for the winter we might consider ourselves 

 free from further disturbance. But the Americans we 

 know experienced drift of the main pack in Wellington 

 Channel late in December, and beyond Lancaster Sound 

 during the whole winter. We know full well that about 

 the 9th of November we have to expect one of our 

 strongest gales ; and bearing in mind that " forearmed 

 is forewarned," all our preparations must be continued 

 to meet the worst. 



Our Crystal Palace is far advanced, glazed, and merely 

 awaits the roofing. A smaller house for magnetic and 

 astronomical purposes has also been completed, and a 

 very convenient copper stove and piping will render it 

 comfortable. The entire buildings present from the ship 

 rather a formidable appearance ; the Palace, with its win- 

 dows, resembling caseniated embrasures, and the Obser- 

 vatory a flanking bastion. 



Eventually, should it not be the will of Providence to 



