176 View of Beechey Island. 



very steep. The side of the hill is covered with 

 layers of a slaty stone, having the appearance of 

 closely packed tiles. From the summit we had a 

 glorious view up Barrow Strait, which, however, 

 seemed to be blocked with ice. The opposite shore 

 was distinctly visible, and we could plainly see, what 

 I imagined to be Beechey Island and its surrounding 

 land. It being 3 a.m., the morning sun was shining 

 brightly, causing the land to stand out in clear and 

 bold relief. Our descent was much more rapid than 

 our laborious climb up the hill. Following the 

 mate's example, we sat down on the frozen snow, 

 and then slid the whole way to the bottom — a quick 

 mode of progression, though desperately fatal to 

 one's clothing. We returned on board at four in 

 the morning, pretty well worn out by our day's 

 exertions. 



sion, at such a temperature, by so old a navigator, is worthy 



of being preserved. 



" Far as the eye can reach and all around 



Is one vast icy solitude profound. 



On snow-clad ground, in silent stillness, sleep 



The weary crew ; no soothing vapours steep 



The rocks with freshness, not an herb is there, 



Nor shrub, nor bush,- — but, desolate and bare, 



It seems as if these regions, by the will 



Of Heaven transfix'd, had all at once stood still; 



And the proud waves, beneath the fatal blow, 



Had spread into a field of lifeless snow." 



John Ross, Sept. 1832. 



