APPENDIX. 299 



During my journeys over the ice in spring and autumn, 

 when a restless mind naturally sought for some object to fill up 

 the gap, I first became simply interested in watching the beau- 

 tiful forms which fell on my rough jacket and remained sus- 

 pended in the nap ; or frequently, when engaged anxiously 

 watching the passing clouds to obtain a glimpse of the sun, a 

 single well-defined crystal has fallen on the cold arc of my 

 sextant, and, aided by the attached microscope, I have profited 

 by the opportunity to effect a perfect examination. 



The pilot, by long practice and the use of his reasoning 

 faculties, even of very ordinary calibre, is enabled to read the 

 heavens, the clouds, tides, winds, and other phenomena with 

 almost unerring precision. My course of life surely entitles 

 me to such a habit. But whether granted or not, I did so far 

 transgress as to class the forms which fell under my notice, 

 after nearly two years' meditation, into decidedly meteorolo- 

 gical characters, denoting, to my mind at least, the state of 

 the atmosphere. 



But a few years since the study of the law of storms excited 

 but little attention ; many inquired if I believed in them ; but 

 who is rash enough at the present day to doubt their truth V 

 Science is making rapid strides, and Avhat is occurring at the 

 antipodes is, by a document now before me, really becoming 

 matter of discussion on the other side of the Atlantic ! 



" Of what use is science ?" escaped the lips of two persons 

 high in office. With what result, consult the undying address 

 of the President of the British Association at the meeting held 

 at Birmingham. 



Wonderful to the uneducated appear the advances made of 

 late years in navigation; sensible people cease to withhold 

 credit to those engaged in its amelioration ; and our own 

 Government, in conjunction with that of the United States, 

 has now instituted, by the advice of competent " lights of 

 science" or " master-minds," a distinct Meteorological De- 

 partment, in order to collect data and construct charts adapted 

 for the whole world, which will enable the skilful mariner to 

 sail over certain curves which offer him the avoidance of calm 



