178 Captain Parry and Mr Fisher's Journals of a 
the varieties of naval disasters, had ceased to excite much inte- 
rest, and, excepting the determination of geographical positions, 
presented but few points in which philosophy was very deeply 
concerned. The failure, however, of all attempts to penetrate 
the frozen barriers of the Arctie Zone ; the gloomy desolation 
which reigned within them ; the absence of human and even ve- 
getable life; and the risk of being detained for ever in that 
frightful climate, gave a peculiar character to every attempt to 
explore that wilderness of ice and snow. The controversies, too, 
which succeeded the termination of Captain Ross’s voyage, and 
the absence of the Hecla and Griper during a whole winter, con- 
spired to throw an interest round the last expedition, which we 
believe was without any former example. 
The journals of Captain Parry and Mr Fisher, of which we 
propose to present a short analysis to our readers, are well calcu- 
lated to convey a correct idea of the incidents and peculiarities of 
the voyage. The events of each day are minutely detailed. 
The singularities of the navigation are perspicuously described. 
The effects of climate are carefully related. The phenome- 
na of the weather were accurately observed and measured. The 
action of one of the poles of the terrestrial magnet was particu- 
larly attended to; and the Natural History and Mineralogy of the 
newly discovered islands, were examined with all the care which 
was consistent with the more urgent objects of the expedition. 
The vessels selected for the expedition of 1819, were the 
Hecla and the Griper. The Plecla was of 375 tons burthen, 
and having been built as a bomb-vessel in 1815, was well ad- 
apted for stowage, a property of no small consequence, as the 
expedition had to carry with it two years provisions. She was 
commanded by Lieutenant W. E. Parry, and had on board a 
ship’s company of fifty-eight persons. The Griper , which was 
formerly a twelve-gun brig of 180 tons, was much smaller than 
the Hecla ; and though her accommodations were much inferior, 
yet she neither sailed so well as the other ship, nor was she able 
to carry her own supply of provisions ; she was commanded by 
Lieutenant Matthew Liddon, and had a ship’s company of 36 
persons. Both of these vessels had the whole of their outside, 
from the keel to some height above the water-line* covered with 
