CAPTAIN SABINE'S LETTER. 349 



might have navigated still further in that direc- 

 tion. A vessel belonging to myself, the year 

 before last ascended half a degree further north 

 than Table Island, but nine to the westward. 

 Mr. Sharostin, an intelligent Russian, with whom 

 I have frequently conversed, actually passed 

 thirty-nine winters on Spitzbergen, and resided 

 there for fifteen years without having once left 

 the island. He declares, that during his residence 

 he invariably found the coasts free from ice, for 

 four and sometimes for five months in every year. 

 I am enabled to add, that my own vessels have 

 frequently navigated the coast from Ryke Yse's 

 Islands, the south-east extremity, round the west 

 coast, to the Seven Islands at the north-east ex- 

 tremity, and that four times out of six they might 

 have circumnavigated Spitzbergen." 



Mr. Crowe has further acquainted me that his 

 brother, who sailed in the cutter up Wyde Jansz 

 Water, represents the land on either side as being 

 conveniently traversable, the hills of moderate 

 elevation, and the valleys running well into each 

 other. 



Mr. Crowe has requested me to express his 

 readiness to attend at any time at the Council 

 of the Royal Society, should his presence appear 

 desirable, and I need not add, that my attendance 

 is always at their command. 



