87 



CHAPTER IV. 



Increase of Temperature. New Year's Day. Cold Periods. Death 

 of George Harris. Remarks on Scurvy. Prismatic Cross. Dead 

 Men's Effects and Wills. Cracks in Grounded Ice. Rise of Water. 

 Death of Isaac Burnett. Extreme continuous Cold. Racing. 

 Condensers. Similar Temperatures. Re-appearance of the Sun. 

 Preparations for Travelling. Instructions to Richards and Kellett. 



January 1, 1854. -THE aspect of the snow around us 

 this morning forced on my imagination, perhaps fanciful, 

 the idea of a watchful mother spreading her graceful arms 

 around some cherished object, and protecting it from in- 

 jury ; the greater elevation of the snow astern represent- 

 ing the breast, and the gradual tapering to the bow the 

 arms, probably the nucleus of a more elevated defence 

 against the breezes of February and March. 



The increase of temperature, at present +26, so far 

 from proving acceptable, is viewed as a perfect nuisance, 

 causing wet decks and a very sloppy floe. But let us 

 not hastily complain : that very softness and high tem- 

 perature will undoubtedly act to our future comfort and 

 advantage by filling up with snow, consolidating and 

 smoothing, the present inequalities of the pack, which, in 

 its present crude and angular chaotic condition, would 



