FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
22 I 
long band of primrose along the horizon, a pleasant 
change from the wet and mist that we have had so much 
of lately. In all directions great whales are showing their 
black backs and blowing up jets of hot, wet breath. The 
puffs rise as from an escape steam-pipe, and float away with 
the wind down the yellow ribbon of light, and seem to 
melt into the low canopy of grey clouds. 
There was quite an impressive ceremony to-night. All 
hands were called aft to the break of the poop and divided 
into three watches — the master and the two mates 
picking men alternately ; so the crew is now divided into 
three watches, and the day is divided into three eight-hour 
watches. This division of the day is adopted on reaching 
whaling-ground, instead of the four hours on and four off 
usual at sea ; this is to suit the long spells in the boats 
that the men may be expected to have. 
Thursday, 22nd Dec. — Were there natives in this part 
of the world I suppose that they would call this a fine day. 
We can see quite a mile on each side, now, sometimes 
even two or three when the mist rises. There must be 
about a score of icebergs round us — huge fellows — grim 
companions ; we are under the belief that their feet are 
resting on the green, muddy bottom, for we see about one 
hundred and fifty feet of them above water, and the depth 
by sounding is something under two hundred fathoms, so 
that would allow their depth below water to be as is 
usually supposed nine times that of their height above the 
surface. They ought to be well anchored, and the more 
firmly fixed they are the better for us. A S.E. wind is 
