BAFFIN S FIFTH EXPEDITION. 
55 
the heavenly bodies. In the neighbourhood of Resolution Island, 
Baffin saw the sun and moon at the same time, and availed himself 
of this circumstance to make an observation for ascertaining the 
longitude. On this subject, he observes with much justice, “ if 
observations of this kinde, or some other were made at places far 
remote, as at Cape Bona Speranza, Bantam, Japan, Nova Albion, 
and Magellan's Straits, I suppose we should have a truer geo¬ 
graphy than we have,” The expedition returned to England in 
the month of September, without the loss of a man. 
Although this expedition was not distinguished by any disco¬ 
very of importance, yet the projectors of it were so well satisfied 
with the zeal and skill displayed by those, to whom it was en¬ 
trusted, that they fitted out the same ship for a fifth time, and 
Bylot was again appointed master, and Baffin, pilot. It however 
appears that Baffin raised some strong objections to being em¬ 
ployed in this expedition, and no surprise need be entertained 
when the inadequacy of the means is considered, compared with 
the dangers and difficulties which he had to surmount. The crew 
consisted of only seventeen men and a boy ; the vessel was of too 
diminutive a burthen to withstand the shocks to which she would 
inevitably be exposed in her passage through the ice, and of the 
almost fatal consequences of which, he had experienced several 
instances in his former voyage. In Purchas we find the instruc¬ 
tions which were given to By lot and Baffin, and they are certainly 
drawn up with great clearness and judgement. 
“ For your course you must make all possible haste to the Cape 
Desolation, and from thence, you William Baffin, as pilot, keep 
along the coast of Greenland, and up Fretum Davis until you 
come toward the height of 80°, if the land will give you leave. 
Then, for feare of inbaying by keeping too northernly a course, 
shape your course west and southerly, so farre as you shall think 
it convenient, till you come to the latitude of 60°, then direct 
your course to fall in with the land of Yedzo about that height, 
leaving your farther say ling southward to your own discretion, ac¬ 
cording as the time of the year and the windes will give you leave. 
Although our desires be, if your voyage prove so prosperous 
