1853.] ACTION OF COAST-LINE FISSURES. 73 



the aspect of affairs in 1853-54 to differ materially from 

 that recorded in 1819 to 1824; and yet five Expeditions 

 have since visited Lancaster Sound, without having re- 

 corded their opinions or furnished tables of temperature, 

 or remarks upon the ice navigation of Baffin's Bay ! 

 Fortunately, some previous acquaintance with the pecu- 

 liarity of cold climates, and a close study of certain theo- 

 ries connected therewith, have enabled me to form, as 

 they have eventuated, just conclusions, but nothing to 

 warrant deviation from the beaten track, nothing but 

 presumption, should failure have occurred. Too true 

 the adage, " Success is wisdom ;" but, had misfortune 

 resulted, no one but myself can feel how many disap- 

 pointed opinions would have been hurled at my arro- 

 gance ! It is a very slippery climate and a very slippery 

 service. Prosperous as we have hitherto been, I still 

 shall rejoice with no common joy at my completion with- 

 out disaster. 



Today I examined the tidal fissures on the coast-line ; 

 it was nearly high water, and the cracks did not afford 



so perfect an exhibition ; nevertheless the upper gaps 

 were wide, and convinced me that the general motion 

 of the ice must be insensibly, as we have no gauge to 

 determine its action, drawing off-shore. In some in- 



