66 INAUGURATION OF CRYSTAL PALACE. [November, 



In addition to the rate of the freezing of the sea, we 

 commenced the construction of another snow-bank, for 

 further trials on the immersion of thermometers ; a tube 

 was also inserted four feet beneath the gravel, for a simi- 

 lar purpose ; but as ice invariably presents itself at ten 

 inches beneath the surface, this can only after all be 

 deemed as inserted in ice. All these experiments are 

 however dependent for their commencement on the rise 

 of the thermometer to zero. 



Our thermornetric comparisons for this season have, 

 owing to our insecurity and chances of destruction to the 

 instruments, been confined to the floe, and, in order to 

 avoid any influence from the ship, they have been fitted 

 in a small boat, inverted and suspended from the driver- 

 boom astern of the ship, their bulbs being five feet above 

 the present upper level of the ice. In addition to this, at 

 six feet from the ship's stern, very substantial snow-walls 

 of eighteen inches' thickness are also interposed. This 

 leaves them fully exposed from our prevailing winds, or 

 from east round by the south to south-west. 



November 9. Today the temperature fell as low as 

 33, and this being below that experienced about this 

 date last season, tends to verify my theory as to our first 

 visitation of winter occurring between the 1st and 10th 

 of November. But, notwithstanding the barometer con- 

 tinues to fall gradually, we have not as yet any notice of 

 our annual gale. The Crystal Palace being complete, and 

 flag-staff erected; on this the natal day of His Royal 

 Highness the Heir Apparent, the national colours were 

 displayed, the crews assembled, the healths of our Gra- 

 cious Queen, the Prince and Royal Family drunk, and 



