83 
serve to explain the differences alluded 
to. 
The one summer day of Spitzbergen 
continues from about the middle of May 
to the middle of October, when the sun 
bids a long adieu to this northern region. 
The horrors of winter are discovered, not 
alleviated, by the splendor of the Aurora 
Borealis , and by the pale lustre of the 
moon. 
Here, says the energetic Thomson,—* 
Here winter holds his unrejoicing court; 
And through his airy hall the loud misrule 
Of driving tempest is for ever heard; 
Here the grim tyrant meditates his wrath. 
Here arms his winds with all subduing frost; 
Moulds his fierce hail, and treasures up his snows. 
With which he now oppresses half the globe. 
Spitzbergen has no settled inhabitants. 
It is, however, resorted to by parties of 
Russians, who, in turn, continue there 
throughput the year for the purpose of 
hunting, which they practise in all wea¬ 
thers. These hardy adventurers have 
4 
