LETTERS 



FROM HIGH LATITUDES. 



LETTER I. 



PROTESILAUS STUMBLES ON THE THRESHOLD. 



Glasgow, Monday, June 2, 1856. 



Our start has not been prosperous. Yesterday evening, on 

 passing Carlisle, a telegraphic message was put into my 

 hand, announcing the fact of the " Foam " having been 

 obliged to put into Holyhead, in consequence of the sudden 

 illness of my Master. As the success of our expedition en- 

 tirely depends on our getting off before the season is further 

 advanced, you can understand how disagreeable it is to have 

 received this check at its very outset. As yet, of course, I 

 know nothing of the nature of the illness with which he has 

 been seized. However, I have ordered the schooner to pro- 

 ceed at once to Oban, and I have sent back the Doctor to 

 Holyhead to overhaul the sick man. It is rather early in 

 the day for him to enter upon the exercise of his functions. 



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