Chap. IV. PARRY'S FIRST VOYAGE. 105 



sight of the sun for eighty -four days, which may 

 be reckoned, as it really was, one continued night, 

 lighted up only, and that partially, by the moon, 

 and occasionally by the fleeting Aurora Borealis. 

 Their extraordinary good conduct, under such cir- 

 cumstances, must in a great degree be ascribed to 

 the example set them by their excellent Com- 

 mander, cordially seconded by Lieutenant Liddon 

 and the other officers. It is well understood in the 

 navy, that obedient and good conduct on the part 

 of seamen, and a high state of discipline in a man- 

 of-war, are the sure results of able and intelligent 

 officers, kind and attentive to those under their 

 command, yet, at the same time, strictly requir- 

 ing from them a ready and willing obedience to the 

 orders of their superiors, and to the rules and regula- 

 tions of the service. Such were the men, and such 

 their commanders, on the present service ; and the 

 consequence was, that every man (with the exception 

 of one poor fellow, who carried out with him an in- 

 curable disease) was brought home in as high a 

 state of health as that in which he left England. 



One case of scurvy was reported on the 2nd of 

 January. Mr. Scallon, gunner of the Hecla, com- 

 plained of pains in his legs, and the appearance of 

 his gums left no doubt of the symptoms being scor- 

 butic, which Mr. Edwards, the surgeon, ascribed to 

 the deposit of moisture in his bed-place. The Com- 

 mander, ever anxious for the preservation of health 



