3 i8 SPITSBERGEN chap, xxm 



Each long glacier, sweeping gently down to the fjord, was 

 the centre of a separate picture, perfectly composed. The 

 Nord Fjord's portal was likewise hung with a purple trans- 

 parent veil, through which appeared ridges of increasing 

 evanescence and incredible wealth of colour, one behind 

 another, till the last melted into light. It was the first sunset 

 glory Spitsbergen had shown us, heralding the long winter 

 night. There was no hurrying excitement of changing 

 effects. Colours and tones lasted long and altered slowly. 

 Over our very heads at length, and away to the south, the 

 clouds became tinged with faintest pink. " Perhaps we 

 shall sail in clear weather," we said, " and see the hill-tops as 

 we go." But it was not to be. 



After midnight, when all my work was done and the 

 baggage stowed, I walked over Advent Flats, taking a final 

 survey of the dreary shore. Its flower carpet was faded. 

 All the little plants were in autumnal attire, making sheets 

 of scarlet and orange, gold and brown, on the levels and 

 slopes of the hills. The approach of winter was in the air 

 and upon the earth. Many birds were already gone ; others 

 were going or collecting to go. Our flight-time also was 

 come. The brief summer of Spitsbergen had not seemed 

 brief to us, nor its long day uneventful. Farewell to you, 

 cold and barren slopes, icy broads, bulging glaciers, squdgy 

 bogs, and landlocked waters of so many moods ! It is 

 good to have seen you, but a brief acquaintance suffices. 

 Memory will not let your beauties slip. Your toils and 

 discomforts, moved into the past, have become agreeable 

 reminiscences. What we could compass of you we have 

 made our own. Let others who follow learn from our 

 mistakes and profit by our blunders. 



After a mid-day meal (Aug. 15), we bade Baron de Geer, 

 Lieutenant Knorring, and Walkey farewell. The anchor 

 was raised and the ship moved slowly along. De Geer's 



