136 THE OCEAN. 
times, though objects situated on the water can 
scarcely be discerned at the distance of a hundred 
yards, yet the sun will be visible and effulgent. 
Under such circumstances, on the 19th July, 1818, 
being at the topmast head, I observed a beautiful 
circle of about 80° diameter, with bands of vivid 
colours depicted on the fog. The centre of the circle 
was in a line drawn from the sun through the point 
of vision, until it met the visible vapour in a situa- 
tion exactly opposite the sun. The lower part of 
the circle descended beneath my feet to the side of 
the ship; and although it could not be a hundred feet 
from the eye, it was perfect, and the colours distinct. 
The centre of the coloured circle was distinguished 
by my own shadow, the head of which, enveloped 
by a halo, was most conspicuously portrayed. The 
halo or glory was evidently impressed on the fog, but 
the figure appeared to be a shadow on the water, the 
different parts of which became obscure in proportion 
to their remoteness from the head, so that the lower 
extremities were not perceptible. I remained a long 
time contemplating the beautiful phenomenon before 
me. Notwithstanding the sun was brilliant and 
warm, the fog was uncommonly dense beneath. The 
sea and ice, within sixty yards of the ship, could 
scarcely be distinguished. The prospect thus cir- 
cumscribed served to fix the attention more closely 
on the only interesting object in sight, whose radi- 
ance and harmony of colouring, added to the singu- 
lar appearance of my own image, were productive of 
sensations of admiration and delight.’* I have 
* Arct, Reg. i. 394 
