A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 155 



in the middle of August, while it should be very low when 

 the surface of the polar seas is bound in its wintry coat, 

 which is most solid and unbroken in February. 



To be acquainted with the arctic seas, one must visit 

 those regions ; for, from my own experience, I assert that, 

 in no other way can an useful and accurate knowledge of 

 the subject be obtained. It is quite absurd that persons 

 not accustomed to sea should undertake a demarkation of 

 a ship's course, directing a certain line of longitude to be 

 adhered to, as was dictated to the late Lord Mulgrave. 

 Such sapience is as much to be admired as that of the 

 Roman Pontiff who cut out the Brazils from South America 

 in a similar manner. Those who know the arctic seas are 

 aware of the impossibility of adhering to such an order ; 

 and it is to be hoped that, for the safety of the crews, 

 and the success of the intended expeditions, such a tying 

 up of hands will not be insisted on. When the subject 

 hereafter may admit of a full delineation of its difficulties 

 and dangers, to which I presume the flicts of the following 

 Journal * may be deemed properly antecedent, the above 

 intimation will be found not irrelevant to the expedition. 



* JOURNAL IN DAVIS'S STRAIT. 



Thursday, May 8 : thermometer 20°, 18°, 12°: wind S.W., strong 

 breeze : off Disko Bay : two whales seen, and one seal : cirrostratus 

 in haze, and some more dense lower down : some natives, each carrying 



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