ADDRESS. 95 



the weather and the ice, was unable to approach it nearer than 

 within thirty miles. An extent of about three hundred miles of 

 shore was seen. The sickness of the Lively's crew induced her 

 commander to seek a warmer climate, and he returned north, to 

 winter in Van Dieman's Land, where he was rejoined by the 

 cutter, which had been separated from her consort in a storm. 



In the beginning of 1832, Briscoe again proceeded southward, 

 and on the 4th of February observed land to the southeast, in 

 latitude 67 15', longitude 69 29' W., which he found to be an 

 island near the headland of what he considers may yet be desig- 

 nated the southern continent. On the 21st he landed in a spacious 

 bay in the main land, and took possession in the name of his 

 sovereign, William IV. The island he named Adelaide's island, 

 in honour of the English queen. The log and other particulars 

 of this discovery were laid before the Royal Geographical Society 

 of London ; from all of which the conclusion was drawn, that 

 there is a continuous body of land extending from 47 30 / E.> to 

 69 29' west longitude, running the parallel of from 66 to 67 

 south latitude. 



Now, in the correctness of these conclusions we by no means 

 concur ; nor do the discoveries of Briscoe warrant any such infer- 

 ence. It was within these limits that Weddell proceeded south, 

 on a meridian to the east of Georgia, Sandwich Land, and the 

 South Orkney and Shetland Islands. Nor were his last discove- 

 ries new. The main land, taken possession of in the name of his 

 sovereign, was visited fifteen years ago by our own sealers, and 

 taken possession of (at least some fur) in the name of our sove- 

 reign, the people ; and when a true record shall be made up of the 

 past discoveries in this portion of the South Seas, the name of 

 Adelaide's island must be changed; and the wreath of crystal 

 gems, intended for the brows of majesty, will be found to belong 

 to one of Nature's pretty little queens, of whom we have so many 

 on this side of the Atlantic ! We have a long, running, unsettled 



