210 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. December 



which the garrison twilight-gun is fired throughout the 

 world. 



4 There is a decided change in the complexion of 

 each of us in consequence of the want of sunlight ; in a 

 few instances noticeably so. 



' 2hth. — Apart from the absence of the sun it was 

 a splendid Christmas Day, with a perfectly clear starlit 

 sky, the faintest twilight glimmer at noon, and just 

 sufficient movement of the air to render our walk 

 on the ice the more bracing, with a temperature at 

 minus 34°. 



4 Shortly before our departure from England a box 

 arrived from Queenstown, containing presents for every 

 one in the Expedition, from Mrs. Coote and her friends, 

 and other members of Sir Edward Parry's family. 

 Unfortunately, one parcel had been stowed in a damp 

 place, and I was obliged to distribute its contents a few 

 weeks ago; the rest of the presents were given out 

 to-day, and, expressing as they did the kindly fore- 

 thought and interest of the donors, I need scarcely 

 say how greatly they were appreciated. 



' The lower-deck was appropriately decorated, the 

 dinner tables being laden with as good and ample a 

 meal as any could wish. v Each mess had a joint of 

 musk-ox or fresh mutton, and an unrestricted allow- 

 ance of the usual provisions. The fattest musk-ox 

 had been naturally kept for this dinner. The fat on 

 the outside of the loin was two inches thick by measure- 

 ment ; no meat could have been more tender or juicy.' 



The ox referred to was killed at the end of 

 August ; but those killed the following year in July 

 had very little fat on them. 



