3l6 FARTHEST NORTH 



the point of going below, driven by 6i degrees of frost 

 ( — 34.7 C), such magnificent tones again vibrate over the 

 strings that we stay until noses and ears are frozen. For 

 a finale, there is a wild display of fireworks in every tint 

 of fiame — such a conflagration that one expects every 

 minute to have it down on the ice, because there is not 

 room for it in the sky. But I can hold out no longer. 

 Thinly dressed, without a proper cap and without gloves, 

 I have no feeling left in body or limbs, and I crawl away 

 below. 



"Sunday, December loth. Another peaceful Sunday. 

 The motto for the day in the English almanac is : ' He 

 is happy whose circumstances suit his temper: but he 

 is more excellent who can suit his temper to any cir- 

 cumstances' (Hume). Very true, and exactly the phi- 

 losophy I am practising at this moment. I am lying 

 on my berth in the light of the electric lamp, eating 

 cake and drinking beer while I am writing my journal; 

 presently I shall take a book and settle down to read 

 and sleep. The arc lamp has shone like a sun to-day 

 over a happy company. We have no difificulty now in 

 distinguishing hearts from diamonds on our dirty cards. 

 It is wonderful what an effect light has. I believe I am 

 becoming a fire-worshipper. It is strange enough that 

 fire-worship should not exist in the Arctic countries. 



" ■ For the sons of men 

 Fire is the best. 

 And the sitrht of the sun.' 



