1854.] ADDRESS TO THE CREW. 107 



excite me to increased exertion ; and after I once get 

 sight of the invigorating rays of the sun, I feel that im- 

 provement must be rapid. 



On the 19th of February the temperature varied a little, 

 rising as high as 23, but has again fallen to 40, 

 and during the week the range has been between 23 

 and 41, mea^84'07 : the sun's rays have not as yet 

 afforded any perceptible increase of temperature, nor do 

 they at present contribute any " cheering light," being 

 greatly impeded by a heavy, hazy, hanging atmosphere. 

 We have just succeeded in fitting sashes into our 

 winter housing, which, I am told, affords a very cheerful 

 light to the quarter-deck, and enables invalids to enjoy 

 exercise under a temperature of 22, being 17 higher 

 than exposed to the breeze outside, or, to the feelings, 

 equal at least to 30 of endurance. Notwithstanding all 

 that has been maintained about the travelling tempera- 

 ture of 40 being bearable, I hear less of it this year; 

 indeed I am inclined to think that the estimate has, by 

 common consent, and common sense, fallen to 30; and 

 even that is viewed with some apprehension. 



As the preparations were complete, and the parties 

 told off for travelling were about to take their depar- 

 ture, a written address was read to the crews generally, 

 approving, in strong terms, of their conduct last season, 

 and expressing my full conviction that in the important 

 duty on which they were proceeding, the same untiring 

 energy and exemplary conduct would be manifested, 

 and expressing a confident hope that my Lords Com- 

 missioners of the Admiralty would be pleased to reward 

 those who had so greatly distinguished themselves. 



