136 THE OCEAN. 



times, though objects situated on the water can 

 scarcely be discerned at the distance of a hundred 

 yards, yet the sun will be visible and effulgent. 

 Under such circumstances, on the 19th July, 1813, 

 being at the topmast head, I observed a beautiful 

 circle of about 30° diameter, with bands of vivid 

 colours depicted on the fog. The centre of the circle 

 was in a line drawn from the sun through the point 

 of vision, until it met the visible vapour in a situa- 

 tion exactly opposite the sun. The lower part of 

 the circle descended beneath my feet to the side of 

 the ship ; and although it could not be a hundred feet 

 from the eye, it was perfect, and the colours distinct. 

 The centre of the coloured circle was distinguished 

 by my own shadow, the head of which, enveloped 

 by a halo, was most conspicuously portrayed. The 

 halo or glory was evidently impressed on the fog, but 

 the figure appeared to be a shadow on the water, the 

 different parts of which became obscure in proportion 

 to their remoteness from the head, so that the lower 

 extremities were not perceptible. I remained a long 

 time contemplating the beautiful phenomenon before 

 me. Notwithstanding the sun was brilliant and 

 warm, the fog was uncommonly dense beneath. The 

 sea and ice, within sixty yards of the ship, could 

 scarcely be distinguished. The prospect thus cir- 

 cumscribed served to fix the attention more closely 

 on the only interesting object in sight, whose radi- 

 ance and harmony of colouring, added to the singu- 

 lar appearance of my own image, were productive of 

 sensations of admiration and delight."* I have 



* Arct. Reg. i. 39-< 



