134 
VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 
1820. experienced; but the weather being quite calm, we walked on shore for an 
Janu^. without inconvenience, the sensation of cold depending much more on 
the degree of wind at the time, than on the absolute temperature of the at- 
mosphere, as indicated by the thermometer. In several of the accounts 
given of those countries in which an intense degree of natural cold is 
experienced, some effects are attributed to it which certainly did not com6 
under our observation in the course of this winter. The first of these 
is the dreadful sensation said to be produced on the lungs, causing them 
to feel as if torn asunder, when the air is inhaled at a very low tem- 
perature. No such sensation was ever experienced by us, though in going 
from the cabins into the open air, and vice versa, we were constantly in the 
habit for some months of undergoing a change of from 80° to 100°, and, in 
several instances, 120° of temperature in less than one minute ; and what is 
still more extraordinary, not a single inflammatory complaint, beyond a 
slight cold which was cured by common care in a day or two, occurred 
during this particular period. The second is, the vapour with which the 
air of an inhabited room is charged, condensing into a shower of snow, 
immediately on the opening of a door or window, communicating with 
the external atmosphere. This goes much beyond any thing that we had an 
opportunity of observing. What happened with us was simply this : on 
the opening of the doors at the top and bottom of our hatchway ladders, 
the vapour was immediately condensed by the sudden admission of the 
cold air, into a visible form, exactly resembling a very thick smoke, which 
settled on all the pannels of the doors and bulk-heads, and immediately 
froze, by which means the latter were covered with a thick coating of 
ice which it was necessary frequently to scrape off; but we never, to 
my knowledge, witnessed the conversion of the vapour into snow, during 
its fall. 
Sat. 15 . On the evening of the 15th, the atmosphere being clear and serene, we 
were gratified by a sight of the only very brilliant and diversified display of 
Aurora Borealis, which occurred during the whole winter ; I believe it to be 
almost impossible for words to give an idea of the beauty and variety which 
this magnificent phenomenon displayed ; I am at least certain, that no descrip- 
tion of mine can convey an adequate conception of it, and I therefore gladly 
avail myself of the following account, by Captain Sabine, which was furnished 
by my request at the time for insertion in my Journal. 
“ Mr. Edwards, from whom we first heard that the Aurora was visible, 
