1823.] of the Expedition under Capt. Parry. 169 



more especially of fresh vegetable aliment. The bad conse- 

 quences of a third winter, therefore, might be fearfully aug- 

 mented, were there not reason to expect that the supply of game 

 will be more abundant further south than it was in Melville 

 Island. Cartwright, in Labrador, shot plenty of deer and bears, 

 even in the depth of winter, long and severe though it was. 

 There will be besides, somewhat less gloom and darkness, and 

 altogether a shorter winter. There will, probably, too, be more 

 of esculent vegetables, and we have the satisfaction of knowing, 

 that Donkin's preserved animal food, of which their stock must 

 be abundant, undergoes no deterioration by any length of keep- 

 ing to which it has yet been subjected. The article of fuel gives us 

 more concern. One thing, however, is certain ; that from the skill, 

 prudence, and resource, of the commander ; and from the zeal 

 and devotedness of his followers, every thing may be expected. 

 Thus we may still cherish well grounded hopes that they will be 

 able, inured to the climate as they must then be, in some measure, 

 to withstand even a third polar winter, should it be necessary. 

 And this will tend to relieve us from much anxiety as to the 

 preservation of their lives. 



The views already taken have gone upon the principle that all 

 is to continue prosperous (God grant it may !), so far as respects 

 their health, subsistence, and means of protection, against the 

 rigour of the climate ; and without taking into the account any 

 untoward accident. But let such occur, a deficiency in their 

 resources from damage to the ships, injury to the provisions and 

 stores, sickness disabling them from exertion ; what sort of 

 predicament would they then be in ! What complicated mise- 

 ries may they be made to endure ! It is possible, then, and, per- 

 haps, not so improbable as could be wished, that, according to the 

 fourth and last, and worst supposition of all, they may have 

 been overtaken by some calamity; their ships wrecked, or cut 

 up by the ice; their stock of every thing wholly or partially 

 destroyed ; themselves thrust out with such means as the moment 

 supplied, to find their way over frozen wastes, in a climate 

 destructive to everything that lives, save foxes, and wolves, and 

 bears ! From such a view, however distant, the imagination 

 involuntarily recoils, and would gladly take shelter, if it could, 

 in the brighter prospects already held out. But difficulties and 

 dangers to be overcome must be looked, as our gallant heroes 

 willlook at them, full in the face. Some faint conception may 

 be formed of such a situation from what appears to have 

 befallen Capt. Franklin; with this difference, that their hard- 

 ships would be enhanced tenfold, inasmuch as they would be 

 ignorant of the country, and unable to avail themselves of its 

 resources. It is then not impossible but that, in the course of 

 the voyage, they may be plunged into this miserable state, per- 

 haps at no great distance from Hudson's Bay ; perhaps at some 



