3io 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [June 
instance, I have had at least three important discussions 
on weather and ice conditions to-day, concerning which 
many notes might be made, and quite a number of small 
arrangements have been made. 
If a diary can be so inadequate here, how difficult must 
be the task of making a faithful record of a day's events 
in ordinary civilised life ! I think this is why I have found 
it so difficult to keep a diary at home. 
Monday , June 12. — The weather is not kind to us. 
There has not been much wind to-day, but the moon has 
been hid behind stratus cloud. One feels horribly cheated 
in losing the pleasure of its light. I scarcely know what 
the Crozier party can do if they don't get better luck next 
month. 
Debenham and Gran have not yet returned ; this is 
their fifth day of absence. 
Bowers and Cherry-Garrard went to Cape Royds this 
afternoon to stay the night. Taylor and Wright walked 
there and back after breakfast this morning. They 
returned shortly after lunch. 
Went for a short spin on ski this morning and again 
this afternoon. This evening Evans has given us a lecture 
on surveying. He was shy and slow, but very painstaking, 
taking a deal of trouble in preparing pictures, &c. 
I took the opportunity to note hurriedly the few 
points to which I want attention especially directed. 
No doubt others will occur to me presently. I think I 
now understand very well how and why the old surveyors 
(like Belcher) failed in the early Arctic work. 
1 . Every officer who takes part in the Southern Journey 
