OF THE POLAR SEA. 



7 



if boatmen were not taken from hence. I 

 could not therefore hesitate in requesting 

 Mr. Geddes to engage eight or ten men, 

 well adapted for our service, on such terms 

 as he could procure them, though the Se- 

 cretary of State's permission had not yet 

 reached me. 



Next to a supply of boatmen, our atten- 

 tion was directed towards the procuring of 

 a house conveniently situated for trying the 

 instruments, and examining the rates of the 

 chronometers. Mr. Geddes kindly offered 

 one of his, which, though in an unfinished 

 state, was readily accepted, being well situ- 

 ated for our purpose, as it was placed on 

 an eminence, had a southern aspect, and 

 was at a sufficient distance from the town 

 to secure us from frequent interruption. 

 Another advantage was its proximity to the 

 Manse, the residence of the Reverend Mr. 

 Clouston, the worthy and highly respected 

 minister of Stromness, whose kind hospi- 

 tality and the polite attention of his family, 

 the party experienced almost daily during 

 their stay. 



