S^PITZBERGEN. — Ut^ WINTEHING. 139 



left on shore by accident on two different occasions ; 

 the first party, consisting of nine persons, all perish- 

 ed ; but the latter, composed of eight individuals, 

 survived the rigours of the winter of 1630-1, and 

 were all rescued. In the year 1633, seven volun- 

 teers belonging the Dutch fleet, were induced, by 

 certain emoluments, to attempt the same enterprize, 

 and succeeded in passing the winter without sus- 

 taining any injury; but on the same hazardous 

 experiment being tried by seven other persons, the 

 following winter, they all fell a sacrifice to the ra- 

 vages of the scurvy. Some Russians seem to have 

 been the next to attempt this adventivrous exploit, 

 who, from being inured to a winter little less severe 

 at home, were enabled to accomplish it with more 

 safety. Four men who landed on an island on the 

 east side of Spitzbergen, in the year 1743, and 

 were deprived of the means of getting away by 

 an unexpected calamity having overtaken the 

 vessel to which they belonged, remained there 

 during six years. Being exposed to uncommon 

 privations, they were led by their necessities to 

 adopt some most ingenious devices, for provid- 

 ing themselves with food and raiment, in their 

 long and severe banishment. One of their number 

 died ; but the others were relieved after a stay of 

 six years and three months, by a vessel providenti- 

 ally driven upon the coast, and restored to their 



