IN FEBRUARY. 231 



one or more feet, and often immense flat-roofed tem- 

 ples, supported by round, transparent columns, of 

 cerulean hue, float by the astonished spectator. These 

 icebergs are the creation of ages, and receive annu- 

 ally additional heights, by the falling of snow and 

 rain, which often instantly freezes, and more than 

 ^repairs the loss by the influence of the melting sun. 



Such are part of the wonderful phenomena of the 

 polar regions ; and the best improvement we can 

 make of such awful and terrific scenes, is to compare 

 them with what we daily behold at home, and learn 

 contentment with that spot, where Providence, all, 

 wise, has fixed our residence. 



" One of the great arts to escape superfluous tin- 

 easiness," says a celebrated writer, " is to free our 

 minds from the habit of comparing our condition 

 with that of others, on whom the blessings of life are 

 more bountifully bestowed, or with imaginary states 

 of delight and security, perhaps unattainable by mor- 

 tals. Few are placed in a situation so gloomy and 

 distressful as not to see, every day, beings more for- 

 lorn and miserable, from whom they may learn to 

 rejoice at their own lot 



" A native of England, pinched with the frosts 

 of December, may lessen his affection for his own 

 country by suffering his imagination to wander in the 

 vales of Asia, and sport among woods that are al- 

 ways green, and streams that murmur ; but if he 

 turns his thoughts toward the polar regions, and con- 

 siders the nations to whom a great portion of the year 

 is darkness, and who are condemned to pass week 



