I902] OFFICERS' ROUTINE 221 



character from the above are often asked for, however ; last 

 week one man was deeply immersed in the " Origin of Species," 

 another is studying navigation, and not a few have the evident 

 intention of improving themselves. There is a good deal of 

 writing as well as reading on the mess-deck, and the excellent 

 articles that have been contributed to the "South Polar Times," 

 show that much that is written would be well worth perusal. 

 A goodly number of diaries are kept, some as personal records, 

 but others for transmission home to the most-thought-of in- 

 dividual. It is difficult to say for certain, but as one looks on 

 the cheerful, contented scene on the mess-deck at night, one 

 rather gathers the impression that the regular organisation of 

 lectures and entertainments would disturb rather than add to 

 the comfort of the community. Perhaps, however, a second 

 winter would necessitate more effort on the part of the officers 

 to amuse the men ; without doubt the novelty of the first 

 season counts for much.' 



The contentment of the men was no transient condition 

 dependent on novelty such as at this time I surmised that it 

 might be. We afterwards settled down to our second winter 

 with even greater cheerfulness, and, far from finding such a life 

 monotonous and dreary, the men with the officers adapted 

 themselves with ease to its placid course. 



' The officers' routine is somewhat different from that of the 

 men. Breakfast aft starts at nine and is concluded at ten ; 

 few are exactly punctual, but all have finished by the latter 

 hour. I'he breakfast meal itself is precisely the same as that 

 served to the men, as are all our other meals. I made this 

 rule at the start of the expedition, and it has been observed 

 ever since and will be observed throughout ; without subvert- 

 ing discipline, it silences complaint. Two or three months ago, 

 for instance, one of the few troublesome men in the ship, a 

 merchant seaman, asked to see me to complain of some cake. 

 When I appeared on deck he held a slice of cake in his hand 

 and plaintively informed me that it was not fit for human food. 

 I immediately sent down for a slice from a cake in the ward- 

 room which we had been eating with pleasure, and of course 



