The Winter NiVht. i[^ 



-? \J \J 



weary world. In another place he writes that it is 

 impossible for civilised men not to suffer in such circum- 

 stances. These were sad, but by no means unique 

 experiences. An English Arctic explorer, with whom 

 I had some conversation, also expressed himself very 

 cliscouragingly on the subject of life in the Polar regions, 

 and combated my cheerful faith in the possibility of 

 preventing scurvy. He was of opinion that it was. 

 inevitable, and that no expedition yet had escaped it, 

 though some might have given it another name ; rather 

 a humiliating view to take of the matter, I think. But I 

 am fortunately in a position to maintain that it is not 

 justified ; and I wonder if they would not both change 

 their opinions if they were here. For my own part, 

 I can say that the Arctic night has had no ageing, 

 no weakening, influence of any kind upon me ; I seem, 

 on the contrary, to grow younger. This quiet, regular 

 life suits me remarkably well, and I cannot remember a 

 time when I was in better bodily health balance than 

 I am at present. I differ from these other authorities to 

 the extent of feeling inclined to recommend this region 

 as an excellent sanatorium in cases of nervousness and 

 general breakdown. This is in all sincerity. 



" I am almost ashamed of the life we lead, with none of 

 those darkly painted sufferings of the long winter night 

 which are indispensable to a properly exciting Arctic 

 expedition. We shall have nothing to write about when 



O 



we get home. I may say the same of my comrades as I 



