148 WRESTLING MATCH. 



with more substantial tokens of approbation, had 

 been bestowed upon the winners, two gladiators 

 entered the arena, nude to the waist, and after rolling 

 in the snow to refresh and render their bodies moist 

 and slippery, like those of ancient Rome with oil, 

 they commenced to wrestle in a peculiar and rather 

 violent manner ; the principal aim was to seize the 

 arm, but they also took hold of each other's haii', 

 and some rather obstinate contests took place, 

 heavy falls and ensanguined visages showing the 

 severity of the mimic strife. The muscular develop- 

 ment of all the combatants was generally very fine ; 

 small and large men alike showed compact, solid 

 frames with both power and activity. It was 

 amusing enough to see them rub their bodies briskly 

 with snow, and return to the encounter with renewed 

 vigour and spirit. 



We learned positively that a vessel (apparently a 

 brig) had entered May-tchoo-emin harbour, and 

 remained there for a considerable time, that she came 

 from the " Paerks " land, and went towards 

 Iwor-i-en, when there was no ice, but our informa- 

 tion beyond this point was rather too vague for 

 reliance. When she had been here, and how long, 

 or of what country she was, were points which only 

 a future visit can determine. 



