OF THE POLAR SEA. 



119 



the same mode as that of the Echiamamis, 

 by allowing a foot for each mile of distance, 

 and six feet on an average for each fall 

 and rapid, is two thousand four hundred 

 and sixty seven feet above the level of the 

 sea, admitting it to be nine hundred feet 

 above the Clear Water River. The coun- 

 try, in the line between it and the mouth of 

 Mackenzie's River, is a continual descent, 

 although to the eastward of that line there 

 may be several heights between it and the 

 Arctic Sea. To the eastward, the lands 

 descend to Hudson's Bay ; and to the 

 westward also, till the Athabasca River 

 cuts through it, from whence it ascends to 

 the Rocky Mountains. Daring was the 

 spirit of enterprise that first led Commerce, 

 with her cumbrous train, from the waters 

 of Hudson's Bay to those of the Arctic Sea, 

 across an obstacle to navigation so stupen- 

 dous as this ; and persevering has been the 

 industry which drew riches from a source 

 so remote. 



On the 8th two men arrived, and in- 

 formed us, that they had brought us our 



