128 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



and, defying the power of the solar beams, were 

 scattered in various directions about the sea-coast 

 and in the adjoining bays. Beds of snow and ice 

 filling extensive hollows, and giving an enamelled 

 coat to adjoining valleys, one of which, commencing 

 at the foot of the mountain where we stood, extend- 

 ed in a continued line towards the north, as far as 

 the eye could reach ; mountain rising above moun- 

 tain, until by distance they dwindled into insigni- 

 ficancy ; the whole contrasted by a cloudless canopy 

 of deepest azure, and enlightened by the rays of 

 a blazing sun, and the effect aided by a feeling of 

 danger, seated as we were on the pinnacle of a rock, 

 almost surrounded by tremendous precipices, — all 

 united to constitute a picture singularly sublime. 

 Here we seemed elevated into the very heavens ; and 

 though in an hazardous situation, I was sensible only 

 of pleasing emotions, heightened by the persuasion, 

 that, from experience in these kind of adventures, 

 I was superior to the dangers with which I was sur- 

 rounded. The effect of the elevation, and the 

 brightness of the picture, were such, that the sea, 

 which was at least a league from us, appeared with- 

 in reach of a musket shot; mountains a dozen miles 

 off, seemed scarcely a league from us; and our 

 vessel which we knew was at the distance of a 

 league from the shore, appeared in danger of the 

 rocks. 



