110 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



of snow occur, present a variety and extent of con- 

 trast altogether peculiar ; which, when enlightened 

 by the occasional ethereal brilliancy of the Polar sky, 

 and harmonized in its serenity with the calmness 

 of the ocean, constitute a picture both novel and 

 magnificent. 1 liere is, indeed, a kind of majesty, 

 not to be conveyed in words, in these extraordinary 

 accumulations of snow and ice in the valleys, and 

 in the rocks above rocks, and peaks above peaks, in 

 the mountain groups, seen rising above the ordi- 

 nary elevation of the clouds, and terminating occa- 

 sionally in crests of everlasting snow, especially 

 when you approach the shore under shelter of the 

 impenetrable density of a summer fog ; in which 

 case the fog sometimes disperses like the drawing 

 of a curtain, when the strong contrast of light and 

 shade, heightened by a cloudless atmosphere and 

 powerful sun, bursts on the senses in a brilliant 

 exhibition, resembling the production of magic. 



To this strong contrast of light and shade, with 

 the great height and steepness of the mountains, is 

 to be attributed a remarkable deception in the ap- 

 parent distance of the land. Any strangers to the 

 Arctic countries, however well acquainted with other 

 regions, and however capable of judging of the dis- 

 tance of land generally, must be completely at a loss 

 in their estimations when they approach witliin sight 

 of Spitzbergen. When at the distance of twenty 

 miles, it would be no difficult matter to induce even 



