TOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 61 



Here, says the energetic Thomson, — 



" Here winter holds his unrejoicing court ; 

 And through his airy hall the loud misrule 

 Of driving tempest is for ever heard ; 

 Here the grim tyrant meditates his wrath, 

 Here arms his winds with all subduing frost ; 

 Moulds his fierce hail, and treasures up his snows, 

 With which he now oppresses half the globe." 



Spitzbergen has no settled inhabitants. It is, 

 however, resorted to by parties of Russians, who, in 

 turn, continue there throughout the year for the 

 purpose of hunting, which they practise in all wea- 

 thers. These hardy adventurers have erected huts 

 adjacent to several of the harbours and bays, and 

 are well provided with fuel, from the immense quan- 

 tities of drifted wood that is every where to be found 

 in the different creeks. Archangel supplies them 

 with dried fish, rye-meal, and an abundant supply 

 of whey, similar to, if not made in the same man- 

 ner, as the Shetland beverage. This last consti- 

 tutes their chief drink, and is likewise used in bak- 

 ing their bread. Their beds are principally com- 

 posed of skins of the animals which they kill, and 

 of these they also make garments, which they wear 

 with the fur side next their bodies. The walrusses 

 and seals afford them a plentiful store of their 

 favourite delicacy, train-oil, and the bears, deers, 



