RUSSIAN SETTLEMENTS. 
to a found he called by the name of Alderman Fones, in lat. 76. 40. Here the land 
ran due fouth to a great found in lat. 74.20, which he called Sir Fames Lancaffer’s. 
From this place the land took an eaftern curvature, to the ftreights between the 
continent and Cumberland ifland. Baffin took his courfe between that ifle and 
the ifle of Saint ames, left his name to the ftreight he pafled, and arrived fafe 
in Cockin’s Sound, on the coat of Weft Greenland, where he found the tide rife 
eighteen feet ; this, and fimilar excefles, arifing from the confined fituation of 
places *. 
This is the only voyage ever made into Baffin’s Bay. Chri/tian1V. of Denmark, 
in 1619, fent Fohn Munck, a moft able feaman, to make difcoveries in thefe parts ; 
but, notwithftanding any furmifes of his having reached this famous bay, he got 
no farther than Hud/on’s Bay; to which, in honor of his mafter, he gave the 
name of Chriftian Sea. He pafled a miferable winter in Churchill river, and re- 
turned home the next year, after lofing, during his ftay on fhore, every mai but 
two +. 
Before I quit thefe frozen regions, I muft once more return to Spitzbergen, to 
relate, what has but very lately been communicated to me, that the Ruffians have 
of late attempted to colonize thefe dreadful iflands. They have, for a few years 
paft, fent parties to continue there the whole year; who have eftablifhed fettle- 
ments on the ifle of Spitzbergen, at Croon Bay, King’s Bay, Magdalena Bay, Smee= 
renburgh, and Green Harbour ; where they have built huts, each of which is oc- 
cupied by about two boats crews, or twenty-fix men. They bring with them 
falted fifh, rye-flour, and the ferum or whey of four milk. The whey is their 
chief beverage, and is alfo ufed in baking their bread. Each hut has an oven, 
which ferves alfo as a ftove; and their fuel is wood, which they bring with them 
from Archangel. The huts are above ground, and moft furprizingly warm; 
placed alfo in fituations which may guard them as much as poffible from the keen- 
nefs of the northern wind. 
Mr. Erfkine Tonnach, furgeon of Dunbar (who, by the friendfhip of the worthy 
Mr. George Paton, of Edinburgh, favored me with this account) gives me the 
following particulars from his own knowledge.—** During our ftay on the ifland, 
my curiofity prompted me to go on fhore, that I might fee the ceconomy of thefe 
ardtic fettlers ; and had an opportunity of feeing them dine: and though their 
fare appeared coarfe, the difpatch they ufe, faid a great deal for their health and 
* For the account of this curious voyage, fee Purchas, iii. from p. 836 to 848. 
+ Clerk of the California's Voy, i. 106.—For a further account of this unfortunate voyage, fee 
Churchill's Collection, ii, 472. 
sg appetite. 
CLXXXVII 
