38 Thirty Years 
Nov. 24.—We this day obtained observations for 
the dip of the needle and intensity of the magnetic 
force in a spare room. The dip was 83° 9’ 45”, 
and the difference produced by reversing the face of 
the instrument, 13° 3’ 6”. When the needle was 
faced to the west, it hung nearly perpendicular. The 
Aurora Borealis was faintly visible for a short time 
last evening. Some Indians arrived in search of pro- 
vision, having been totally incapacitated from hunting 
by sickness ; the poor creatures looked miserably ill, 
and they represented their distress to have been ex- 
treme. Few recitals are more affecting than those of 
their sufferings during unfavorable seasons, and in 
bad situations for hunting and fishing. Many assu- 
rances have been given me that men and women are 
yet living who have been reduced to feed upon the 
bodies of their own family, to prevent actual starva- 
tion ; and a shocking case was cited to us of a woman 
who had been principal agent in the destruction of 
several persons, and amongst the number her husband 
and nearest relatives, in order to support life. 
Nov. 28.—The atmosphere had been clear every day 
during the last week, about the end of which snow 
fell, when the thermometer rose from 20° below to 
16° above zero. The Aurora Borealis was twice visi- 
ble, but faint on both occasions. Its appearance did 
not affect the electrometer, nor could we perceive the 
compass to be disturbed. 
