WEDDELL’S FARTHEST 
137 
Our latitude at this time, 20th February, 1822 * was 
74 0 15', and longitude 34 0 16' 45"; the wind blowing 
fresh at south, prevented what I most desired, our making 
farther progress in that direction. I would willingly 
have explored the S. W. quarter, but taking into con- 
sideration the lateness of the season, and that we had to 
pass homewards through 1000 miles of sea strewed with 
ice islands, with long nights and probably attended with 
fogs, I could not determine otherwise than to take ad- 
vantage of this favourable wind for returning. 
“ I much regretted that circumstances had not allowed 
me to proceed to the southward, when in the latitude of 
65°, on the 27th of January, as I should then have had 
sufficient time to examine this sea to my satisfaction. 
“ Situated however as I actually w r as, my attention was 
naturally roused to observe any phenomena which might 
be considered interesting to science. I was well aware 
that the making of scientific observations in this unfre- 
quented part of the globe was a very desirable object, and 
consequently the more lamented my not being well sup- 
plied with the instruments with which ships fitted out 
for discovery are generally provided.” 
In these, simple words, which may profitably be 
compared with Morrell’s rhapsodical utterances when 
he claimed to be in a similar position, Weddell shows 
himself at his best. The similarity in sentiment and 
diction with Cook is interesting; and enforces the 
similarity in the birth, training, and naval experience of 
the two men. It must be remembered that Weddell was 
*This misprint for the correct date 1823 is significant in show- 
ing that Morrell followed the text of Weddell’s book and did 
not speak from actual knowledge of his cruise. The map in the 
volume gives the date as 1823. 
