very effectually.  It was impossible, however, as the cold increased, to keep up a tolerably comfortable temperature in the cabin if the fire was suffered to go out for several hours:  for instance, the night after the above arrangements had been made, the fire was out for only six hours; and the consequence was, that the thermometer fell to 27 deg., and could be got no higher on the following day, in the after part of the cabin, though only nine feet from the stove, than 33 deg.  This was, indeed, a most inclement day, the temperature of the atmosphere having for the first time fallen to -27 deg., accompanied by a fresh wind from the northward and westward.

A great squeezing of the young floes took place at the S.E. point of the island on the 12th.  The noise it makes when heard at a distance very much resembles that of a heavy wagon labouring over a deep gravelly road; but, when a nearer approach is made, it is more like the growling of wild animals, for which it was in one or two instances mistaken.  It was, however, rather useful than otherwise, to encourage the belief that bears were abroad, as, without some such idea, people are apt to become careless about going armed.

The thermometer rising to -5 deg. in the course of the 17th, the weather appeared warm to our feelings.  It proved favourable also for another play, which had been fixed for this night, and the “Poor Gentleman” was performed by the officers in so admirable and feeling a manner as to excite uncommon interest among the men, and to convince me more than ever of the utility of our theatrical amusements.  The 18th was a remarkably clear day, without any of that cloudiness which usually hung about the southern horizon.  The sun was therefore clearly visible at noon, when such was its oval shape that its horizontal diameter exceeded the vertical by 4’ 07”.  We had light in the cabin for reading and writing for three hours and a quarter without candles, and about five hours for convenient walking.

On the evening of the 24th, being Christmas eve, the ships’ companies were amused by the officers performing the two farces of “A Roland for an Oliver,” and the “Mayor of Garratt.”  On Christmas day, divine service on board the Fury was attended by the officers and crews of both ships.  A certain increase was also made in the allowance of provisions, to enable the people to partake of Christmas festivities to the utmost extent which our situation and means would allow; and the day was marked by the most cheerful hilarity, accompanied by the utmost regularity and good order.  Among the luxuries which our Christmas dinner afforded was that of a joint of English roast beef, of which a few quarters had been preserved for such occasions by rubbing the outside with salt, and hanging it on deck covered with canvass.  The low latitude in which our last summer’s navigation was performed would have rendered its preservation doubtful without the salt.