1854.] THOUGHTS ON COMING EVENTS. 133 



a large cube, in order to ascertain if the honeycomb, 

 due to any increase of temperature of the sea, can be de- 

 tected. The result of the temperatures for the last ten 

 days affords 



Max. -12-50; min. -43'00; mean, -26'659. 



I was enabled to attend prayers today, but found the 

 lower deck, although warmer than my cabin (as 46 to 

 50), oppressively cold. The temperature at the main 

 hatchway ventilator was at 34, and probably the air 

 close to the deck proved too cold for my feet, by which 

 extremity I suspect most of our feelings are sensitive. 

 The weather externally at present is calm, cold, and 

 without any cheering heat from the sun's rays. 



March 30. It is remarkable that persons boxed up 

 in this climate, and deprived of the ordinary variations of 

 everyday occurrences in the busy world, seem to derive 

 the faculty of " seeing ahead." Nor is it confined to 

 educated beings, for we find it occasionally amongst the 

 Esquimaux and Greenlanders ; and since we have been 

 in this region it is remarkable how all our discoveries, 

 orders, and operations have been so perfectly made to 

 dovetail or fit into each other, or our thoughts indicate 

 some peculiar relation to realities at hand, is even won- 

 derful; for myself I must confess that it has a very solemn 

 effect, and causes me to think very seriously. 



" Coming events cast their shadows before" was never 

 more fully realized. Today I felt so perfectly satisfied 

 that a sledge from Kellett was due (if he existed), that I 

 fully intended, when the Master reported noon, to desire 

 him to send a person to look out on the hill. It escaped 

 me, being then engaged on other matters ; but my clerk 



