180 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
was hauled in triumph to the ship; the young ice could just bear us 
when he broke through. He measured 7 feet 3 inches from tip to tip. 
He was seen, chased, shot, skinned, and cut up, all within an hour and 
a half. I obtained a kidney for a specimen. The dogs were regaled 
with the entrails, which they polished off in a very short time. Only 
one of the dogs has been wounded by the bear’s paws. Barometer, 29*86. 
“ 30th. The scene apparent on going on deck after breakfast was 
splendid, and uulike anything I ever saw before. The subdued light of 
the moon thrown over such a vast expanse of ice, in the distance the 
loom of a berg, or the shadow of the hummocks (the Arctic hedge-rows), 
the only thing to break the even surface, a few stars peeping out, as if 
gazing in wonder at the spectacle,—all united to render the prospect 
striking, and lead one to contemplate the goodness and power of the 
Creator. I went out about 10 a. m. to get some ice for my experi¬ 
ments ; the temperature was 26°, but the walk was most pleasant. There 
was no water seen to-day, except mere cracks, which, as soon as formed, 
were skimmed over with a thin coating of ice. The thermometer is now 
at 30°; barometer, 30*40. To-day there was a comparison made of 
thermometer with the Kerr standard. We had the moon shining all day, 
and a few stars at present; occultations of Jupiter’s satellites were taken 
this morning, and observations for latitude 74° 41' 1ST. The men were 
employed on the floe, and in pumping out the ship. After school this 
evening I went out over the floe for a walk, about the most delicious I 
have had,—the moon pouring down a flood of light and glory so strong 
and clear that everything appeared bright and lovely; not a sound to be 
heard, save the crackling of the snow under my feet, of unsullied white¬ 
ness, and sparkling from innumerable points like a mass of diamonds; the 
hummocks especially appeared glittering from the presence of countless 
circular crystals, about an inch long, which stuck out like a miniature 
chevaux-de-frise, and formed lines of sparkling light; in fact, it is just 
such a sort of night as one would wish to wander the whole night long, 
and think, and dream, and yet not feel tired; but we must return to 
the ordinary toils and common details of life, although nature wears 
such an inviting aspect. My freezing experiments are going on, and will 
be continued during the week. The last day of the month, and thirty 
days since we have seen the sun, with no prospect of his appearance for 
sixty more. 
“ Christmas-day. My first from home, and first in the Arctic regions. 
I was greeted early in the morning with the usual compliments of the 
season. I rather astonished them at breakfast by my having on a white 
shirt and collar, the only one but one seen on board during the day. 
After breakfast the sky began to clear, as if we were going to have some 
daylight in honour of the occasion ; but it only lasted a few minutes. 
At 10 mustered, and held Divine service on the lower deck, and after¬ 
wards the men proceeded to garnish the tables and deck the forecastle 
for dinner. At dinner-time the officers were invited forward to see them, 
when a sight met our eyes I could not have imagined. Sledge banners 
and bunting were gracefully grouped round the beams and sides; the 
place gaily lighted up, whilst the tables were loaded with innumerable 
