114 A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 
tinct islands. Iam inclined, however, to think, that 
this is not the case, for in the first place we passed 
the opening in question at night, so that it was im- 
possible to say, with any degree of certainty, how far 
it extended ; and, from the great length of this land, 
it is but natural to suppose that it has considerable 
breadth also, and that the opening above mentioned 
is only a deep bay or inlet that runs into it. After 
prayers to-day, all hands were called on deck, when 
Mr. Parry told the ship’s company, in an official man- 
ner, that we had last night passed the meridian of 
110° west of Greenwich, and by that means became 
entitled to the reward of 5000/. promised by parlia- 
ment to the first ship that reached that longitude be- 
yond the Arctic circle. He took also this opportunity 
of informing them, how highly satisfied he was with 
their past conduct, and stating he had no doubt, by 
their continuing the same zeal and perseverance they 
had hitherto shown, but that we should ultimately 
accomplish the object of the expedition, and by that 
means become entitled, not only to the whole of the 
pecuniary reward, but to the much more lasting 
honour of being the first discoverers of the north- 
west passage; an honour, indeed, which our most 
illustrious navigators for centuries back sought in 
vain. ‘The enthusiasm excited by this short, but pa- 
thetic speech, was truly astonishing, and the ardour 
which it inspired might be seen in every countenance ; 
and I have no doubt but that whenever an opportu- 
nity occurs of showing the impression it made, its good 
effects will be very evident. Yet, to do every officer 
and man on the expedition justice, I firmly believe 
they require no stimulus to urge them to their duty. 
In the afternoon we came to a low projecting point 
