104 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. IV. 



themselves as they pleased, and games of various 

 kinds, as well as dancing and singing, occasionally 

 went on upon the lower deck till nine o'clock, when 

 they retired to rest, and their lights were extin- 

 guished. " It is scarcely necessary to add," Parry 

 observes, " that the evening occupations of the officers 

 were of a more rational kind, than those which en- 

 gaged the attention of the men. Of the former, read- 

 ing and writing were the principal employments, to 

 which were occasionally added a game of chess, or 

 a tune on the flute or violin, till half past ten, about 

 which time we all retired to rest." 



On Christmas-day, which had now arrived, the 

 weather was raw and cold, with snow ; but to mark 

 the day in the best manner that circumstances would 

 permit, divine service was performed on board the 

 two ships ; " and I directed a small increase in the 

 men's usual proportion of fresh meat, as a Christ- 

 mas dinner, as well as an additional allowance of 

 grog, to drink the health of their friends in Eng- 

 land. The officers also met at a social and friendly 

 dinner, and the day passed with much of the same 

 kind of festivity by which it is usually distinguished 

 at home ; and," he adds, " to the credit of the 

 men be it spoken, without any of that disorder by 

 which it is too often observed by seamen.' , 



The good order, regularity, and discipline of the 

 two ships, in this most trying of situations, is above 

 all praise; wholly deprived, as they were, of the 



