394 
TRAVELS 
This day, which was Sunday, pafled in mirth and feflivity. 
The infpedtor, to fhew the great amiability of his character, gave 
us a Swedifh fong and a toaft to each glafs of punch, and it was 
in vain to decline filling a bumper. At midnight we quitted this 
tent to obferve, on a more elevated ground, the height of the fan 
as ufual; but on this occafion the company was by no means 
unanimous; not as to the fun’s elevation alone, one perfon main¬ 
taining he faw two, and others, equally confident and inebriated, 
that they faw no fewer than four. Inftead* however, of difcuf- 
fing the merits of the queftion with intemperate warmth, though 
held to be a matter of ferious importance, we conducted our- 
felves with more prudence than the learned perhaps might have 
done on a fubjedt of lefs magnitude; for we refolved to go to 
fleep, and adjourn the fubverjion of the planetary fyftem till the 
next morning. In fhort, on the night following, at the fame hour, 
we were perfectly agreed both as to the height and number offuns. 
If Sunday had palled in all the pleafures of convivial enjoy¬ 
ment, Monday, the period fixed for our departure, was fo much 
the more fad and melancholy. Three of our friends took leave 
of us: Mr. Bellotti, Mr. Julin, and Dr. Deutfch would not, and 
indeed, for particular reafons, could not, expofe themfelves to the 
dangers of our expedition, and chofe to return to Tornea and 
Uleaborg. Our plan of travels received fuch a fevere fliock by 
their departure, as nothing but the moft determined refolution 
could refift. Friendfhip and the infe&ion of example made us 
hefitate for fome time as to the propriety of perfifting in our en- 
terprife ; 
