£34 Observations on the late Expedition of Capt. Parry , 
he ascended, the water appeared sensibly to freshen. As soon, 
therefore, as he could extricate himself from this position, he 
made his way northwards, till he came to a cape, which, from 
the direction in which it turned, had much the appearance of 
forming the north-eastern point of America. His crew were 
now full of joy and hope ; but next day at noon, a sad reverse 
shewed that they were completely inclosed in a bay ; to which, 
from this disappointment, Middleton gave the name of Re- 
pulse Bay. He now endeavoured to find an outlet on its east- 
ern side, and having walked twelve or fifteen miles, and ascend- 
ed a very high mountain, he obtained the full view of a strait 
eighteen or twenty leagues in length, and seven in breadth, ex- 
tending south-east towards Cape Comfort, on the eastern coast 
of Southampton Island. The strait thus connected Repulse 
Bay with the main body of Hudson’s Bay ; and it appeared to 
Middleton that the strong tide which came through it, was 
merely that which entered by Hudson’s Straits, and which, be- 
ing brought by this circuitous channel into the Welcome, ap- 
peared there as a different and even contrary tide to that which 
-came up, although both had the same origin. The strait was 
completely frozen from side to side, and, on calling a council, it 
was agreed “ to make the best of their way out of this dange- 
rous strait.” 
Middleton, on his return to England, reported the above ob- 
servations, and proclaimed that every chance of discovering a 
passage here was completely at an end. Dobbs, greatly dis- 
contented, wrote several letters to him on this subject, and 
urged that there might be a passage farther north. Middleton 
answered, that “if there was, it must be impassable for the ice ; 
and from the narrowness of any such outlet in 67° or 68° of lati- 
tude, it can be clear of ice only one week in the year, and many 
years, I apprehend, not clear at all.” He would be happy to give 
any assistance in his power, but hoped never to venture himself 
that way again.” Although the communications had been thus 
far amicable, Dobbs describes himself as involved in many 
doubts ; but his suspicions were blown into a flame by a singu- 
lar letter received from two anonymous individuals. They told 
him that “ all nature cried aloud there was a passage that 
this “ script” was intended to open his eyes, and shew him “ the 
