180 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
in general so inclement, as to confine both the officers and 
crew to the vessel; the latter took their exercise on the 
upper deck, but in their own language, “ it was pinching 
work and no mistake.” The carpenters took the advantage of 
the boisterous weather, to construct the framework and other 
necessary articles, for the adjusting of the instruments in the 
observatory, but in fact some apprehensions w*ere entertained 
that the weather had injured the observatory, particularly the 
roofing, as the flag-staff, which had been erected on it, was 
carried away; but on the 20th, Commander Ross was able to 
effect a passage to the observatory, and with the exception 
of the accident above alluded to, found every thing in a good 
condition. 
Christmas day was now near at hand, and it was resolved that 
the day should be kept with all the mirth and ceremonies, by 
which it is distinguished on land, nor was it to be celebrated 
without its usual concomitants of roast beef and plum pudding. 
On the day previously, the officers went on a shooting expedition, 
with the hope of obtaining some game for their Christmas dinner, 
but they only saw two hares, which they tried in vain to kill. 
It was now nearly five years that the stores of the Fury were 
deposited on the beach, little suspecting by those who placed 
them there, that in the Christmas of 1829, they would form a 
part of the dinner of the crew of an English vessel, in nearly as 
good condition as when they were abandoned. The first dish 
that was set on the table, before the crew of the Victory on 
Christmas day, was a pie made of the preserved meats of the 
Fury, with vegetables that had also been preserved, and vegeta¬ 
ble soups, the roast beef and plum pudding followed, with a pint 
and a half of rum to each mess. Previously however to sitting 
down to dine, divine service was performed, and the day was 
celebrated with the same solemnity and rejoicing as if they had 
been on land. In the evening the crew amused themselves with 
singing and dancing, although in the latter amusement, they 
felt the want of those objects, which impart the greatest charm to 
it, for there was no sparkling female eye to give animation to 
the scene, nor a rosy lip on which a passionate kiss could be im- 
