607 



fatigable in all astronomical observations, which were carried on 

 night after night upon the snow, with the thermometer frequently 

 30 below zero, when it was necessary to keep the chronometer in hot 

 sand to prevent its stopping, and to case the telescope in soft leather 

 to prevent its destroying the skin of the face of the observer. We 

 mention these facts once for all, as they serve to illustrate the zeal 

 and determination which marked his character, and how by force of 

 example he stimulated those who had the happiness to serve under 

 his command. In this case the effect was the establishment of the 

 geographical position of his winter quarters with a degree of accu- 

 racy probably never attained by any Expedition in the same time, 

 even in a milder latitude ; the lunar observations alone amounting 

 to nearly 10,000. 



As the spring advanced he conducted an overland journey across 

 Melville Island, and discovered the sea on the north and Liddon 

 Gulf on the west, where he left his broken cart, which served to 

 mark indisputably his position to M'Clintock, who visited the spot 

 thirty years afterwards and found the precious relic. 



The summer of 1820 had well-nigh passed away before there was 

 any possibility of liberating the ships from their winter quarters, 

 and there being no prospect of a change in the great barrier of ice 

 which covered the sea in every direction, and which indeed had 

 never varied, Parry determined upon returning to England, where 

 he arrived in October 1820. 



As might be expected, his reception, by his country was enthu- 

 siastic and most gratifying to him. He was immediately promoted 

 to the rank of Commander. Bath, his native place, presented him 

 with the freedom of its city ; the Bedfordean gold medal was una- 

 nimously voted to him with a sum of 500 guineas ; and he was pre- 

 sented with a silver vase, bearing ornamental devices emblematical 

 of the Polar regions. 



In December of the same year it was determined to follow 

 up Arctic discovery by another Expedition, the command of which 

 was again given to Parry. The attempt on this occasion was 

 to be made by way of Hudson's Strait and Sir Thomas Howe's 

 Welcome. The Expedition left England in May 1821, and 

 succeeded in making important additions to the geography of the 

 Arctic seas, in clearing up various doubts respecting the statements 



VOL. VII. 8 G 



