312 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. IX. 



rative, after observing that the object is of more 

 difficult attainment than was before supposed, even 

 by those persons who were the best qualified to 

 judge of it, is still of opinion that, after much 

 consideration, and some experience of the various 

 difficulties which belong to it, he cannot re- 

 commend any material improvement in the plan 

 lately adopted. With all deference to the opinion 

 of so distinguished a sea-officer in possession of 

 so much experience as Sir Edward Parry, there 

 are others who express dislike of such a plan ; 

 and it is not improbable, that many of his readers 

 will be disposed to come to the conclusion, that 

 so long as the Greenland Seas are hampered 

 with ice, so long as floes and hummocks and 

 heavy masses continue to be formed — so long 

 as a determined southerly current prevails ; so 

 long will any attempt to carry out the plan 

 in question in like manner fail. No laborious 

 drudgery will ever be able to conquer the oppos- 

 ing progress of the current and the ice. Besides, 

 it can hardly be doubted this gallant officer 

 will admit, on further consideration, that this un- 

 usual kind of disgusting and unseamanlike-labour 

 is not precisely such as would be relished by the 

 men ; and it may be said, is not exactly fitted for 

 a British man-of-war's man ; moreover, that it re- 

 quired his own all-powerful example to make it 

 even tolerable. 



