June, 1859. PREPARA TION OF SLEDGE-PARTIES. 213 



We have now enough sugar to last us for seven or eight 

 months, but by the survey of provisions which has just been 

 completed, we find a deficiency of many other articles, 

 including three casks of salt beef. Fortunately this is of no 

 consequence, as we have abundance of both salted and 

 preserved meat, but it shows the alarming extent to which a 

 negligent steward may mislead one. This unfortunate man 

 has now got scurvy ; want of exercise and fresh air is the 

 apparent cause, combined with irregular living ; the spirits 

 have hitherto been in his charge. 



The bustle of preparation for the extended searching 

 journeys has been exciting. Hobson's party and my own 

 are now all prepared, and Young having returned, we pur- 

 pose setting out on the 2nd April — God willing. Young's 

 new sledge will be ready, and he will also start a few days 

 after us. All our winter defences of snow — our porches, 

 our deck-layer, and our external embankment — have been 

 removed. Dr. Walker, of necessity, remains in charge of 

 the ship, with two stewards, a cook, a carpenter, and a 

 stoker. My party, as well as Hobson's, will be provisioned, 

 including the depots, for an absence of about eighty-four 

 days ; but not being able to afford auxiliary or supporting 

 sledge parties, much time will be occupied in transporting 

 our depots farther out, in order that we may start with as 

 much as we can possibly carry, from the Magnetic Pole, 

 besides leaving there a depot for our return. 



The declinometer was taken on board two days ago ; 

 hourly observations have been made with it for more than 

 five months : we can no longer spare any one for this 

 interesting duty. 



24/^ June. — One thing is certain, the wild sort of tent-life 

 we lead in arctic exploration quite unfits one for such tame 

 work as writing up a journal; my present attempt will 



