i9xr] DAILY ROUTINE 319 
cause and another, the breaking of the trap, and the 
freezing of the hole, no catch has been made for some 
time. I don't think wc shall get good catches during the 
dark season, but Atkinson's own requirements are small, 
and the fish, though nice enough, are not such a luxury 
as to be greatly missed from our ' menu/ 
Our daily routine has possessed a settled regularity 
for a long time. Clissold is up about 7 a.m. to start the 
breakfast. At 7.30 Hooper starts sweeping the floor and 
setting the table. Between 8 and 8.30 the men are out 
and about, fetching ice for melting, &c. Anton is off to 
feed the ponies, Dcmctri to sec the dogs ; Hooper bursts 
on the slumberers with repeated announcements of the 
time, usually a quarter of an hour ahead of the clock. 
There is a stretching of limbs and an interchange of 
morning greetings, garnished with sleepy humour. Wilson 
and Bowers meet in a state of nature beside a washing 
basin filled with snow and proceed to rub glistening limbs 
with this chilling substance. A little later with less 
hardihood some others may be seen making the most of 
a meagre allowance of water. Soon after 8.30 I manage 
to drag myself from a very comfortable bed and make 
my toilet with a bare pint of water. By about ten minutes 
to 9 my clothes are on, my bed is made, and I sit down 
to my bowl of porridge ; most of the others are gathered 
about the table by this time, but there are a few laggards 
who run the nine o'clock rule very close. The rule is 
instituted to prevent delay in the day's work, and it has 
needed a little pressure to keep one or two up to its 
observance. By 9.20 breakfast is finished, and before the 
