66 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Aug. 



compass, but on the position in which it was proposed to work 

 the rarer magnetic instruments — that is to say, in the small 

 central magnetic deck-house. This work was completed during 

 the week, and on Monday morning, August 5, we made fast to 

 a buoy in Cowes Harbour, at this time crowded with yachts 

 assembled for the famous 'Cowes week.' In the midst of 

 vessels displaying such delicate beauty of outUne, the ' Dis- 

 covery,' with her black, solid, sombre hull, her short masts, 

 square spars, and heavy rigging, formed a striking antithesis, a 

 fit example to point the contrast of 'work' and 'play.' Shortly 

 before noon we were honoured by a visit from their Majesties 

 the King and Queen. The visit was quite informal, but must 

 be ever memorable from the kindly, gracious interest shown in 

 the minutest details of our equipment, and the frank expres- 

 sion of good wishes for our plans and welfare. 



In those days we thought much of the grim possibilities of 

 our voyage. There was ever present before us the unpleasant 

 reflection that we might start off with a flourish of trumpets 

 and return with failure. But although we longed to get away 

 from our country as quietly as possible, we could not but feel 

 gratified that His Majesty should have shown such personal 

 sympathy with our enterprise, and it was a deep satisfaction to 

 know that our efforts would be followed with interest by the 

 highest in the land, as well as by others of our countrymen 

 more particularly occupied with the problems before us. 



On the afternoon of the 5th the ship was crowded with 

 visitors, whilst we did our best to make the final preparations 

 for sea. At noon on the 6th we slipped from our buoy and, 

 after receiving a visit from the First Lord of the Admiralty, 

 steered to the west ; a few of our immediate relatives who 

 had remained on board hastened to say their last farewells, 

 and, descending into their boats off the little town of Yar- 

 mouth, waved their adieux as the 'Discovery' steamed towards 

 the Needles Channel. 



How willingly would one dispense with these farewells, 

 and how truly one feels that the greater burden of sadness is 

 on those who are left behind ! Before us lay new scenes, new 



