Chap. VIII. PARRY'S THIRD VOYAGE. 247 



number registered altogether in our journals is between 

 twenty and thirty, but I have no doubt that many more 

 than these were seen, and that a ship expressly on the look- 

 out for them would have found full occupation for her boats. 

 Several which came near us were of large and * payable ' 

 dimensions." — pp. 36, 37. 



The occupation and diversion of the seamen's 

 minds, as well as the regularity of their bodily 

 exercise, were not likely to be unattended to, by so 

 prudent and experienced a commander as Captain 

 Parry ; but he was equally attentive to what had 

 been done on former voyages; and as the same 

 officers and men were among the present ones, 

 a little variety therefore was thought to be desirable. 

 " Our former amusements/' he says, " being almost 

 worn threadbare, it required some ingenuity to 

 devise any plan that should possess the charm of 

 novelty to recommend it." This purpose was com- 

 pletely answered, however, by a proposal of Com- 

 mander Hoppner to attempt a masquerade, in which 

 officers and men should alike take a part; but 

 which, without imposing any restraint whatever, 

 should leave every one to their own choice, either 

 to join in this diversion or not. Parry was de- 

 lighted with it. 



"It is impossible that any idea could have proved more 

 happy, or more exactly suited to our situation. Admirably 

 dressed characters of various descriptions readily took their 

 parts, and many of these were supported with a degree of 

 spirit and genuine humour which would not have disgraced 



