176 A THAW. 



November 10th. 



We are in the midst of a regular thaw, — a thaw 

 in November under the Pole Star, — truly a strange 

 event to chronicle. The temperature has gone up to 

 11° above zero. 



The cold of the last month has frescoed the house 

 on deck with delicate frost, — the condensed moisture 

 that escapes from below. In many places this frost is 

 two inches thick, and now it is melting. The water 

 drops upon the deck, and every thing thereon is soaked. 

 We have reduced the fires and opened the windows. 



November 11th. 



The temperature continues to rise, and the thaw 

 goes on. A regular shower falls upon the deck. 

 There is a huge puddle amidships, and the drip, drip, 

 drip is any thing but agreeable. 



My journal is looking up, — two novelties in one 

 day. First a thaw, and then a newspaper. The free 

 press follows the flag all over the world, and the North 

 Pole rejoices in " The Port Foulke Weekly News." 



During the past week everybody has been much in- 

 terested in a newspaper enterprise, bearing the above 

 title. Thinking to create a diversion that would con- 

 found our enemy, the darkness, I proposed some time 

 ago to the officers that we should publish a weekly 

 paper, offering at the same time my assistance. The 

 proposition was hailed with pleasure, and my fullest 

 anticipations are more than realized. Mr. Dodge and 

 Mr. Knorr undertook to act as editors, at least for the 

 first week, and they have busied themselves gathering 

 fi'om cabin and forecastle whatever was likely to prove 

 attractive, and right good success have they met with. 

 The first number appeared to-day, and it contains 



