494 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. XIII. 



was reason to apprehend that the ice might strike, 

 break up, and wreck the ship ; but she rested secure 

 on her icy cradle, where she lay passively before the 

 Comfortable Cape. On the 21st of November, in 

 order to fix the minds of the crew on some object 

 for employment, Back ordered them to build up 

 snow walls and galleries on the floe ; and these 

 being for the comfort of all, the work was cheer- 

 fully undertaken, and the exercise had a beneficial 

 effect on their health. 



They may now be considered to have taken up 

 their long winter quarters, of nine months at least, 

 on a floating floe of ice ; and Back, wisely recollect- 

 ing the example of Parry, with the same view in- 

 duced the officers to assist him in contriving some 

 amusement for the men. They cheerfully assisted, 

 and the farce of Monsieur Tonson was got up. It was 

 ushered in with an appropriate prologue by Lieute- 

 nant Smyth, and set off with scenery by the brush 

 of that accomplished artist ; and the piece is stated to 

 have gone off with hearty laughter, plentiful plaudits, 

 and at the conclusion with three hearty cheers. 

 This is as it ought to be; and so is the evening 

 school instituted under the superintendence of Lieu- 

 tenant Smyth, and occasionally visited by Back. 



About two months before this, say about the middle 

 of October, Captain Back gave his ship's company a 

 very unfavourable character, which cheerfulness and 

 occupation would seem to have had the effect of re- 



