Chap. VI. CAPTAIN PARRY'S SECOND VOYAGE. 167 



them inseparable, and those associations are not to be despised 

 which, while we are engaged in the performance of our duty, 

 can still occasionally transport us into the social circle of our 

 friends at home, in spite of the oceans that roll between us. 

 " With our time thus occupied, our comforts so abundant, 

 and the prospect to seaward so enlivening, it would indeed 

 have been our own faults had we felt anything but enjoy- 

 ment in our present state, and the most lively hopes and 

 expectations for the future." — p. 148. 



The first day of the new year is described as 

 being a very severe one in the open air, the ther- 

 mometer down to— 22°, and the wind blowing strong 

 from the N.W.. on which it may be observed, that 

 the effect of a strong breeze on the feelings, even in 

 temperate climates, is well known ; but at low tem- 

 peratures it becomes painful and almost insupport- 

 able. " Thus," says Parry, " with the thermome- 

 ter at — 55°, and no wind stirring, the hands may 

 remain uncovered for ten minutes or a quarter of 

 an hour without inconvenience ; while, with a 

 fresh breeze and the thermometer nearly as high as 

 zero, few people can keep their hands exposed so 

 long without considerable pain." By means of 

 Sylvester's stove, however, and a judicious arrange- 

 ment of the flues, no inconvenience was felt in the 

 ships, even at the temperature of — 59°. 



During the cold month of January, frequent 

 opportunities occurred of making a variety of me- 

 teorological observations on the Aurora Borealis, on 

 parhelia, and paraselene ; and ?tt the same time 

 Mr. Fisher was fully employed in observing the dip, 



