256 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [July 



CHAPTER IX 



WINTER PASSING AWAY 



Our Settlement in Winter — The Large Hut — Lighting Arrangements on 

 Board — Prevention of Fire — A Night on Duty — Smoking Habits — 

 The ' South Polar Times ' — Aurora Australis — Mishap to our Boats 

 — Moonlight Effects — Lost in a Blizzard — Theatrical Entertainments 

 — Nigger Minstrels — Increase of Light — New Arrivals — Concerning 

 the Dogs — Return of the Sun — View from our Hills — Walks in Day- 

 light — Preparations for Sledging — Ready to Start. 



Here Winter holds his unrejoicing court, 



And through his airy hall, the loud misrule 



Of driving tempests is for ever heard. — Thomson. 



Morn 

 Dawns on this mournful scene, the sulphurous smoke 

 Before the icy wind slow rolls away, 

 And the bright beams of frosty morning dance 

 Along the spangling snow. — Shelley. 



' July 18. — . ~ . The moon has greatly favoured us this winter 

 by achieving its full dimensions during its monthly stay above 

 our horizon ; or, in other words, the full moon has approxi- 

 mated with its most southerly declination. The clear outline 

 of the hills, the cold blue of the sky crowded with brilliant 

 stars, and the luminous sparkle of the snow make our moonlit 

 days more beautiful than can be easily imagined. I have just 

 returned from a walk around the settlement, when the moon 

 to the south was yellowed by the mysterious noon twilight and 

 the northern sky was a flame of crimson. One dresses with 

 care even on these calm days, knowing that the thermometer 



