1875 DAILY ROUTINE. 213 



particular occupation before the general muster on deck 

 about 10 a.m. After prayers, all hands leave the ship, 

 the men for work, and the officers either for exercise 

 or to visit the " Kew " or " Greenwich " observatories. 

 The crew dine at 1 p.m., then out on the ice again 

 until 4 p.m., when their official work is over for the 

 day. 



' The officers generally remain on the ice until about 

 1 p.m. ; between which time and dinner at 2.30 p.m. the 

 time slips away in a surprising manner. After dinner 

 and a smoke the ship is very quiet, so probably many 

 take a siesta ; but there is plenty of noise at tea-time at 

 seven. Then comes school on the lower-deck until 

 9 P.M., after which one sits down for the first time in 

 the day perfectly ready for study, and with a certainty 

 of not being disturbed. We need not wonder then, if 

 when the regular lamps are put out in the ward-room 

 at 11 p.m. most of the cabins and the ward-room itself 

 remain lit by private candles for some time longer, 

 As this time is really used to a good purpose I do not 

 complain, but naturally, late hours at night lead to 

 uncertain hours in the morning ; so it frequently happens 

 that although all are obliged to attend at the general 

 muster a few have not appeared at breakfast, but 

 choose to call the mid-day meal by that name, 

 making up for the lost meal by a supper at 11 p.m. 

 on whatever is to be had.' 



Were the hours misspent, fault might be found with 

 this arrangement, but in our case with a studious set 

 of officers full of resources in themselves it perfectly 

 succeeded, and throughout the winter I never found it 

 necessary to change it. 



