160 LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES. [X. 



eight-and-forty hours before making the Norway coast ; she 

 had not been able even to reach Bear Island. Two hundred 

 miles of ice lay off the southern and western coast of 

 Spitzbergen — (the eastern side is always blocked up with 

 ice) — and then bent round in a continuous semicircle 

 towards Jan May en. That they had not failed for want of 

 exertion — the bows of his ships sufficiently testified. As to 

 our getting there it was out of the question. So spake the 

 Sea-horseman. On returning on board the "Foam" I gave 

 myself up to the most gloomy reflections. This, then, 

 was to be the result of all ray preparations and long-medi- 

 tated schemes. What likelihood was there of success, 

 after so unfavourable a verdict ? Ipse dixit, equus marinus. 

 It is true the horse-marines have hitherto been considered 

 a mythic corps, but my friend was too substantial-looking 

 for me to doubt his existence : and unless I was to ride off 

 on the proverbial credulity of the other branch of that 

 amphibious profession, I had no reason to question his 

 veracity. Nevertheless, I felt it would not become a gen- 

 tleman to turn back at the first blush of discouragement. 

 If it were possible to reach Spitzbergen, I was determined 

 to do so. I reflected that every day that passed was telling 

 in our favour. It was not yet the end of July ; even in these 

 latitudes winter does not commence much before September, 

 and in the meantime the tail of the Gulf Stream would still 

 be wearing a channel in the ice towards the pole ; so, how- 

 ever unpromising might be the prospect, I determined, at 

 all events, that we should go and see for ourselves how 

 matters really stood. 



But I must explain to you why I so counted upon the 

 assistance of the Gulf Stream to help us through. 



The entire configuration of the Arctic ice is determined 

 by the action of that mysterious current on its edges. 

 Several theories have been advanced to account for its 

 influence in so remote a region. I give you one which 

 appears to me reasonable. It is supposed, that in obedi- 

 ence to that great law of Nature which seeks to establish 



