168 Mr. Edmonston on the Situation and Prospects [March, 



than Icy Cape, and their attempts to pass that promontory be 

 rendered fruitless by ice ; in the same manner as at the end of 

 Melville Island, though there appeared to be no want of sea ; * 

 and that they should in consequence be obliged to return the way 

 they went : then comes a question, can they retraverse in half a 

 season ; nay, perhaps, in little more than the mere remnant of a 

 season, the space advanced in nearly three seasons ? 



This question we should hope may be settled in the affirmative, 

 though there be some points connected with it which do not 

 leave us entirely free from doubt. In Lancaster Sound, they 

 sailed back in six days the distance advanced in six weeks, 

 owing to the setting of the current from west to east ; so that if 

 upon a more southerly parallel the current set in the same direc- 

 tion, and with the same rapidity, we are unwilling to indulge any 

 misgivings as to their ability to effect the run back, and we shall 

 have the satisfaction of welcoming them next autumn ; and 

 though ever so unsuccessful, welcome them we shall; for highly 

 as we may be disposed to account the discovery of a north-west 

 passage, we set an incomparably higher price on the lives of 

 those who have gone in search of it. 



But let us imagine unexpected impediments to present them- 

 selves ; severity of the weather, change in the direction, or 

 increase in the quantity of the ice, a difference in the set or 

 swiftness of the current compared with that in Lancaster Sound, 

 various localities, and other matters of which we can form no 

 adequate idea, rendering it impossible for them to reach the 

 Atlantic in the course of next season : then comes a serious 

 question, Can they subsist for another or a third winter in the 

 polar regions? Are they supplied with provisions, fuel, and 

 clothing, for this purpose ? In the former voyage, they were 

 equipped for two vears, which, by the bye, was too short, and 

 had nearly proved so, and shows the calculation to have been 

 defective. For how long they have been this time equipped 

 and victualled, we have not learned, f and, therefore, can found 

 upon it no calculation. But if the supposition now thrown out 

 should ultimately prove the correct one, it must be three years and a 

 half from the time of their leaving this country before they can 

 revisit the British shores, or obtain a fresh supply ; that is, it 

 will be, not next November, but November, 1824, before they 

 come back. This is a long time for fuel and provisions to last. 

 Under the impression that he might be compelled to winter a 

 second time in Lancaster Sound, Capt. Parry put his people to 

 a reduced allowance of every thing ; that is, to two-thirds of the 

 usual navy allowance, a measure which led him to entertain some 

 uncomfortable anticipations, regarding its effect on health as 

 well as the effects of so long a deprivation of fresh animal and 



« Cook and Clerk found themselves opposed about Icy Cape by ice in July and 

 August, 

 •f- It has been said three years. 



