462 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
I had determined to put in there a second time, in order to procure a 
few days’ rest and refreshment for our men before leading them on to 
fresh effort. Certainly they had well deserved this small treat, for it 
would have been impossible to show more courage, resignation, and even 
self-sacrifice and scorn of death, than they had exhibited at the most 
critical moments. Besides, this determination could in no way upset 
my plans for the future, for it was necessary in any case for one of the 
corvettes to go to Hobart Town to take up our sick, while the other 
would have to wait for her at one of the ports of New Zealand. 
For several days winds from east and north-east continued to thwart 
us by blowing very unsteadily and raising high seas, which tried us 
cruelly. 
Feb. 4.—On February 4th a thick fog enveloped us; however near 
we kept to each other, it was impossible to distinguish the Zélée. The 
sound of the bell and frequent cannon shots helped us to prevent 
drifting apart. 
Feb. 6.—On the 6th we had reached the 58th parallel. Till then 
we had always seen several floating ice-islands of strange form, showing 
plainly that they had been a long time in the sea, where they were with 
difficulty resisting the action of the waves. That morning we still saw 
three or four, but after that they became more and more rare. At the 
same time the wind, which had blown pretty steadily from the south- 
east, suddenly fell. 
expedition during this time consists as usual of a narrative of the principal facta which 
came under his eyes, without mentioning the services specially performed by each 
officer. If M. D’Urville had been able to write out this part of his work, he would 
have mentioned in detail these services in their order and place. I feel it therefore my 
duty to reproduce here the portion of M. D’Urville’s report in which he expresses to 
the Minister of Marine his satisfaction with the behaviour and zeal of his staff. The 
paragraph runs thus: 
“T must here make particular mention of the names of those men who, staunch to 
their orders, have never ceased to show me the most absolute devotion, and the most 
honourable confidence, combined with the most enduring enthusiasm for the glorious 
work they were called to share. Their loyal co-operation and the certainty of earning 
at least their approbation have alone enabled me to rise above many disappointments, 
to persevere in my plans, and finally to take upon myself the terrible chances of my last 
effort towards the pole.” 
Then follows the list of officers for whom he asked rewards. Finally the report, 
which can be found in entirety among the justificatory extracts contained in the 
10th volume, ends as follows : 
“I have considered myself justified, Sir, in promising to the crews, after our last 
efforts and success, and above all on account of their excellent conduct, that the’ prize- 
money promised them would be paid. I feel persuaded that you will acquit me of my 
promise. I am even persuaded that if a legislative measure were necessary you would 
not hesitate to propose it to the Chambers, who would doubtless pass it eagerly. Who 
knows even if the Chambers, astonished at the moderation of the amount, might not 
propose to raise it to a sum more worthy of a great nation? Indeed, what is it toa 
government like that of France, to divide a miserable sum of 12,000 to 15,000 francs 
among 130 men, as remuneration for so much fatigue, privation and misery?” (This. 
prize-money has been awarded.)—V. D. 
