Voyage of Discovery to the Arctic Regions . 189 
the winter, by keeping both the minds and bodies of the crew 
in a state of constant occupation and excitement. 
The following description, given by Captain Parry, of the 
dreariness of external nature in the Arctic regions is full of inte- 
rest. , 
" The officers were also in the habit of occupying near two hours 
in the middle of the day in rambling on shore, even in our darkest 
period, except when a fresh wind and a heavy snow-drift confined 
them within the housing of the ships. It may be well imagined, 
that at this period there was but little to be met with in our walks 
on shore, which could either amuse or interest us. The necessity 
of not exceeding the limited distance of one or two miles, lest a 
snow-drift, which often rises very suddenly, should prevent our re- 
turn, added considerably to the dull and tedious monotony which 
day after day presented itself. To the southward was the sea, co- 
vered with one unbroken surface of ice, uniform in its dazzling 
whiteness, except that in some parts a few hummocks were seen 
thrown up somewhat above the general level. Nor did the land of- 
fer much greater variety, being almost entirely covered with snow, 
except here and there a brown patch of bare ground in some expo- 
sed situations, where the wind had not allowed the snow to remain. 
When viewed from the summit of the neighbouring hills, on one of 
those calm and clear days which not unfrequently occurred during 
the winter, the scene was such as to induce contemplation, which 
had perhaps more of melancholy than of any other feeling. Not an 
object was seen on which the eye could long rest with pleasure, un- 
less when directed to the spot where the ships lay, and where our 
little colony was planted. The smoke which there issued from the 
several fires, affording a certain indication of the presence of man, 
gave a partial cheerfulness to this part of the prospect ; and the 
sound of voices, which, during the cold weather, could be heard at 
a much greater distance than usual, served now and then to break 
the silence which reigned around us, — a silence far different from 
that peaceable composure which characterises the landscape of a cul- 
tivated country ; it was the deathlike stillness of the most dreary 
desolation, and the total absence of animated existence. Such in- 
deed was the want of objects to afford relief to the eye or amuse- 
ment to the mind, that a stone of more than usual size appearing 
above the snow, in the direction in which we were going, imme- 
diately became a mark on which our eyes were unconsciously fixed, 
and towards which we mechanically advanced. 
“ Dreary as such a scene must necessarily be, it could not, how- 
ever, be said to be wholly wanting in interest, especially when as- 
sociated in the mind with the peculiarity of our situation, the object 
which had brought us hither, and the hopes which the least san- 
guine among us sometimes entertained of spending a part of our 
next winter in the more genial climate of the South Sea Islands. 
Perhaps, too, though none of us then ventured to confess it, our 
thoughts would sometimes involuntarily wander homewards, and in- 
stitute a comparison between the rugged face of nature in this de- 
1 
