WORLD'S WONDERS. fiSl 



the line of retreat, the whole party might have returned alive, 

 with the story of the most successful Arctic expedition that ever 

 spent three winters in the " Land of Desolation." The arrange- 

 ments for the comfort and security of the men left nothing to be 

 desired, and Lieutenant Greely's management was in the highest 

 degree judicious. There was no sickness in the party. The men 

 were kept in good health and spirits by active employment, and 

 such amusements as were possible under the" circumstances. 

 Lieutenant Greely and Dr. Pavy occasionally gave the men lec- 

 tures on various subjects, and each man was allowed to celebrate 

 his birthday by choosing the dinner, of which all partook. No 

 jealousies or dissensions marred the harmony of the little band. 

 The discipline was of necessity rigid, but kind. A sense of fra- 

 ternity and common dependence ruled the spirits of all. Even 

 the failure to receive supplies and news from home does not ap- 

 pear to have made the men despondent. It is impossible to read 

 of their quiet heroism, their manly self-control, without admira- 

 tion for the noble qualities they displayed, and profound sorrow 

 that so few of them have survived to share in the plaudits of the 

 world. 



The unstabled character of Henry is the only blot that stains 

 the brilliant crew that sailed with Greely, which, however, is 

 almost wiped out by the marvelously heroic Elison, who offered 

 his own life freely that his comrades might live. But they were 

 all heroes, save the one weak brother, and their bright example 

 is a wealth of glory for all America. Disaster and death did not 

 rob them of the grand success which they attained, nor does any 

 fact connected with their desolate camp in the frozen region of 

 Sabine diminish the glorious honors which they earned. The 

 Greely Expedition must stand as the most successful ever made 

 to the Arctic regions up to the year 1884. 



