lously undertook the superintendence of the
commissariat, both public and private, and two engineers, to look after
the steam department. These occupied the smallest conceivable space in
the after-end of the steamers; and, with separate cabins, had a common
mess-place.

Such were the arctic screws: it only remains for me to say, that they
were very handsome, smart-sailing vessels, and those embarked in them
partook of none of the anxieties and croakings, which declared
opponents and doubtful allies entertained as to their success in what
was styled a great experiment. They had but one wish ungratified, which
was, that they had been sent alone and fully provisioned, instead of
carrying an inadequate proportion of food, so that, in the event of
being separated from the ships by accident, they might have wintered
without suffering and hardship.

All the crews had been carefully chosen for health and efficiency; and
they, as well as the officers, were actuated by the loftiest feelings
of enterprise and humanity; and that feeling was fostered and
strengthened by the knowledge they had, of the high confidence placed
in the squadron by their country, speaking through the press. In fact,
we were called heroes long before we had earned our laurels. Lastly,
the Admiralty put into the hands of the officers the orders they had
given the leader of this noble squadron; and there was but one opinion
as to these orders, that more liberal, discretionary ones never were
penned!--and with such power to act as circumstances might render
necessary, we felt confident of deserving, if we could not demand,
success.

_June 24th, Baffin's Bay._--The squadron was flying north, in an open
sea, over which bergs of every size and shape floated in wild
magnificence. The excitement, as we dashed through the storm, in
steering clear of them, was delightful from its novelty. Hard a
starboard! Steady! Port! Port! you may!--and we flew past some huge
mass, over which the green seas were fruitlessly trying to dash
themselves. Coleridge describes the scene around us too well for me to
degrade it with my prose. I will give his version:--

"And now there came both mist and snow,
And it grew wondrous cold,
And ice, mast high, came floating by
As green as emerald.
Through the drifts, the snowy clifts
Did send a dismal sheen;
Nor shapes of men, or beasts we ken,
The ice was all between.
With sloping masts, and dippi