354 FARTHEST NORTH 



an Arctic day and an Arctic night age a man more 

 rapidly and harshly than a year anywhere else in this 

 weary world.' In another place he writes that it is 

 impossible for civilized men not to suffer in such circum- 

 stances. These were sad but by no means unique ex- 

 periences. An English Arctic explorer with whom I 

 had some conversation also expressed himself very dis- 

 couragingly on the subject of life in the polar regions, 

 and combated my cheerful faith in the possibility of 

 preventing scurvy. He was of opinion that it was 

 inevitable, and that no expedition yet had escaped it, 

 though some might have given it another name : rather 

 a humiliating view to take of the matter, I think. But I 

 am fortunately in a position to maintain that it is not 

 justified; and I wonder if they would not both change 

 their opinions if they were here. For my own part, 

 I can say that the Arctic night has had no aging, 

 no weakening, influence of any kind upon me ; I seem, 

 on the contrary, to grow younger. This quiet, regular 

 life suits me remarkably well, and I cannot remember a 

 time when I was in better bodily health balance than 

 I am at present. I differ from these other authorities to 

 the extent of feeling inclined to recommend this region 

 as an excellent sanatorium in cases of nervousness and 

 general breakdown. This is in all sincerity. 



" I am almost ashamed of the life we lead, with none of 

 those darkly painted sufferings of the long winter night 

 which are indispensable to a properly exciting Arctic 



