OF THE POLAR SEA. 219 
the initiation into the practice of walking in snow- 
shoes must be considered as prominent. The 
suffering it occasions can be but faintly imagined 
by a person who thinks upon the inconvenience 
of marching with a weight of between two and 
three pounds constantly attached to galled feet, 
and swelled ankles. Perseverance and practice 
only will enable the novice to surmount this 
pain. 
The next evil is the being constantly exposed 
to witness the wanton and unnecessary cruelty 
of the men to their dogs, especially those of the 
Canadians, who beat them unmercifully, and 
habitually vent on them the most dreadful and 
disgusting imprecations. There are other in- 
conveniences which though keenly felt during 
the day’s journey, are speedily forgotten when 
stretched out in the encampment before a large 
fire, you enjoy the social mirth of your compa- 
_ nions, who usually pass the evening in recounting 
their former feats in travelling. At this time the 
Canadians are always cheerful and merry, and 
the only bar to their comfort arises from the fre- 
quent interruption occasioned by the dogs, who 
are constantly prowling about the circle, and 
snatching at every kind of food that happens to 
be within their reach. These useful animals are 
a comfort to them afterwards, by the warmth 
