Chap. IT. COMMANDER JOHN ROSS. 49 



where I was led to expect that the current was to be found. 

 This was a much more essential part of my duty than the 

 making of magnetical observations, which was the only in- 

 ducement still remaining to linger in that dangerous bay, 

 where much time might have been wasted in attempting 

 to land, perhaps without success, or, at any rate, without 

 attaining any adequate results. My opinions were men- 

 tioned to several of the officers, after I had determined to 

 proceed to the southward ; and also to Captain Sabine, who 

 repeated, on every occasion, that there was no indication of 

 a passage." — pp. 182-184. 



This can only be looked upon as a pitiable ex- 

 cuse for running away home, and is a most clumsy 

 perversion of his Instructions, the obvious meaning 

 of which he has not only misconceived, but mis- 

 quoted. A species of infatuation, with regard to 

 currents, appears to have seized on his mind ; he is 

 for ever hunting for, but never gets scent of, a, 

 current. The Lords of the Admiralty had merely 

 suggested that if he should meet with a current, 

 which, " from the best information " (not authorities, 

 as he quotes) " we have been able to obtain, runs 

 from the northward, towards the upper part of 

 Davis's Strait." And again, " In passing up the 

 strait *' (of Davis), " if such a current should be 

 discovered, it will be of the greatest importance to 

 you, as leading you direct to the opening by which 

 it may be supposed to pass from the Arctic Sea 

 into Davis's Strait." Again, " If it should come 

 from the north-west or west, it will prove the best 

 guide you can follow, to lead you to the discovery, 



E 



