28 FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 



and converted it into an oven ; it v^^as then placed in 

 one corner of the honse, from the roof of which the 

 funnel projected, surmounted by an old bottomless iron 

 pot. In front was placed a flag-staff, on which a Union 

 Jack occasionally enlivened the desolation around. 



The temperatm'e, which had lately varied from 

 + 17° to +23°, rose above the freezing point on the 

 6th November, and a general thaw (the most dis- 

 agreeable thing that can happen in severe winter) 

 occurred. Seals and geese were numerous on the 

 land ice ; the latter, none of which we had seen for a 

 long time, being tempted to alight in this mild 

 weather. We endeavoured to kill some, but they 

 were far too wary. 



I find in my private note-book, under date 8th 

 November, the following remarks, which I insert as an 

 instance of first impressions of these people, and interest- 

 ing as a comparison with my views upon a more mature 

 acquaintance : — " Among those who visited us to-day, 

 came ' Thermometer Jack,' emboldened, I suppose, by 

 the civility the rest meet with, as he has not made his 

 appearance since the act which gained him his 

 .soubriquet. Really we are becoming quite domes- 

 ticated with these people ; they visit our mess-room, 

 and go from cabin to cabin, eat with us, drink 

 with us, and arc exceedingly good friends. Whether 



