348 Chapter VI. 



objections raised. But our people at home, perhaps, 

 do not laugh if they read them now. 



" Monday, February 5th. Last time we shall have 

 Ring-nes beer at dinner. Day of mourning. 



" Tuesday, February 6th. Calm, clear weather. A 

 strong sun-glow above the horizon in the south ; yellow, 

 green, and light blue above that ; all the rest of the sky 

 deep ultramarine. I stood looking at it, trying to 

 remember if the Italian sky was ever bluer ; I do not 

 think so. It is curious that this deep colour should 

 always occur along with cold. Is it perhaps that a 

 current from more northerly, clear regions produces 

 drier and more transparent air in the upper strata ? 

 The colour was so remarkable to-day that one could 

 not help noticing it. Striking contrasts to it were 

 formed by the Frams red deck-house and the white 

 snow on roof and rigging. Ice and hummocks were 

 quite violet wherever they were turned from the day- 

 light. This colour was specially strong over the fields 

 of snow upon the floes. The temperature has been 52 F. 

 and 54 F. below zero ( 47 and 48 C.). There is 

 a sudden change of 125 F. when one comes up from 

 the saloon, where the thermometer is at 72 F. (+ 22 C.) ; 

 but, although thinly clad and bareheaded, one does not 

 feel it cold, and can even with impunity take hold of 

 the brass door-handle or the steel cable of the rigging. 

 The cold is visible, however ; one's breath is like 

 cannon smoke before it is out of one's mouth ; and 



