thing intense, the index showing sometimes - 72°, or 104 degrees below freezing point. The ordinary thermometer was frozen for a month together, and the men had to be completely encased in skins to prevent frost-bite. Animal life ceased to exist, and the most northern breeding-places of birds had been passed. In March (1876) a communication with the Discovery was effected, but a sad event happened. Petersen, the interpreter, was seized with illness, and was only carried back alive to the Alert by the extreme tenderness and devotion of Lieutenant Rawson and Mr. Egerton. To retain heat in the poor fellow's body they alternately lay by his side, at great risk to themselves. Both feet were amputated; in two months after he died. Early in April, just after communication had been established between the two ships, the sledging forces were organised and set to work in real earnest. These consisted of three parties, and each had two sledges. One was destined for the north, under Commander Markham and Lieutenant Parr; one for the west, under Lieutenant Aldrich; and a third, under Lieutenant Beaumont of the Discovery, was sent over to Greenland to explore eastward. A few lines will suffice to follow each party. The principal interest attaches to the northern detachment, which we will take up first. It separated from the western party at Cape Joseph Henry, and pushed on due north. On the 8th of June (i.e. seventy-two days after) the good folks of the Alert were startled to see Lieutenant Parr return alone. His tale was alarming. By a painful march of twenty-two days he had travelled 35 miles to fetch relief for his comrades, who were, for the most part, stricken down with scurvy, and in a sorry plight. It is needless to say relief was promptly sent; but one man had already died, and the rest were prostrated. And what had they done? In those seventy-two days they had neared the Pole by only 73 miles, to accomplish which they had to travel over 500 miles; this, of course, was taken up in picking (pick-axing) out a way, and returning to drag up their sledges. No traces of land were seen; and the British flag was hoisted on the Palæocrystic Sea, still 400 miles from the North Pole. The western party was more successful, as we might have expected from the continuation of land. Lieutenant Aldrich explored the coast for 200 miles. Not returning on the day appointed, a relief party was sent out to meet them; and only just in time. The same story; stricken with scurvy, two only out of seven at the dragging ropes. The Greenland division under Beaumont explored the coast as far as 50° 40′ W. longitude; but this party also broke down, and the relief found two men dragging their four helpless companions, two at a time, at the rate of half a mile a day. When Captain Nares had all his crew on board again (at least those that were alive), he decided that further progress was impossible, and resolved to return to England. On 20th July signs of breaking up of the ice were seen, and the Alert was relieved from last season's ice by blasting. On 11th August she joined the Discovery, and together they made their way home. The discoveries above named were not the only Lady Franklin Sound and Petermann Fiord were thoroughly explored, so that the entire of ones. Smith Sound is now known, except Hayes Sound. Near the winter-quarters of the Discovery a seam of coal was found, and other rich contributions to geological science. Remains of ancient Eskimo were found as high as lat. 82°. The breeding-place of a rare Arctic bird, the knot, was discovered. All sorts of experiments were made in magnetism, electricity, meteorology, etc.; and great stores gathered in to enrich various departments of science. Many interesting facts were brought to light; one of them being that the teetotallers of the expedition stood the rigours of the climate best. We have now tried to give a brief sketch of Arctic explorations, a subject full of interest, and full of heroes. Some people may be disposed to say, with the famous mathematician after reading through Milton's Paradise Lost, 'It's all very fine, but what does it prove?' If nothing else, these Arctic voyages have brought out some of the finest and noblest qualities of human nature. No one can read these stories in detail without being struck with the true heroism of these men,—their tenderness, their devotion, their self-sacrifice, and, above all, their noble estimate of duty. For military glory, men have been willing to lay down their lives; to have their names emblazoned on the scroll of martial fame, no sacrifice was counted too great; but the heroes of our lessons, without the exciting elements of battle and blood, have earned a name among the best and bravest of Britain's sons. Ibid. LESSON 7. A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD. Aurora, goddess of the hieroglyphic, an allusion to morning caitiff, vile, base their writing, which is by pictures and figures devastating, wasting, de- Mammon, the god of riches Emblem of eternity, Unbeginning, endless sea! Let me launch my soul on thee. This expanse from shore to shore. Eager fancy, unconfined In a voyage of the mind, Sweeps along thee like the wind. See, by Greenland cold and wild, Yet the mother loves her child. Next, on lonely Labrador, But a brighter vision breaks Where our fathers once were free, Pennsylvania, while thy flood Like the Hesperides of old,- South America expands Stretch their limbs, unclose their eyes, Gliding through Magellan's Straits, The immense Pacific smiles But the powers of darkness yield, |