460 AMUSEMENTS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. 



solitary dwelling to bear the brunt of another 

 winter. 



The instruments were placed in the observ- 

 atory, the registers recommenced, and we found 

 full employment in constructing the chart, 

 writing our journals, making drawings, &c. &c. 

 An hour every other night was devoted to the 

 instruction of the men ; and divine service was 

 read every Sunday, which was always held 

 sacred as a day of rest. 



The tedium of the long evenings was most 

 agreeably lightened by the early arrival of 

 our packet from England, containing not only 

 letters, but valuable periodicals, and a file of 

 the " New York Albion," kindly sent by Go- 

 vernor Simpson. I had made some provision 

 for a treat to the men on New Year's Day ; and 

 accordingly they all came with Mr. M c Leod 

 from the fisheries, and our evening commenced 

 with some sleight-of-hand tricks with cards, &c. 

 The men who performed these were dressed 

 up for the purpose ; and having huge beards and 

 mustachoes of buffalo skin, as well as a pioneer's 

 cap of the same stuff, looked so droll, and in 

 their anxiety not to go wrong in their parts, in 

 which they were not quite perfect, maintained 

 so serious a countenance, that their very appear- 

 ance produced peals of laughter. His Majesty's 

 health was then drank with three cheers ; and 



