rry found that the men could not support their toils on
the allowance, (of about nineteen ounces per twenty-four hours, of
pemecan and biscuit-powder.) he added, by way of luxury, a pint of hot
water at night. This was found to be very restorative, warming the
system; and if a little of the dinner food had been saved, it made a
broth of great relish and value. Spirits were not drank; and the
reason why even hot water was scarce, was, that it took so large a
stock of their spirits of wine to boil it and the cocoa, that the
quantity consumed could not safely be increased.

The ice itself was drifting faster to the south than they could make
their way over it to the north: thus, during the last three days of
their struggle, instead of gaining a higher latitude, they were
actually two miles farther south than when they set out. This put an
end to the expedition where everything which human energy and
perseverance could do, was done so fruitlessly.

While the boats were away, the Hecla was not exempt from dangers. She
had been wrought into a snug birth near the shore. A-head there were
about three miles of ice; and a heavy gale coming on, detached this
prodigious mass, and drove it with terrible violence against the ship.
The cables were cut asunder, the anchors lost, and the poor Hecla
forced high and dry upon the coast, by the irresistible pressure.
Having got her again to the water, however, they proceeded to Weygatt
Straits.

It is vexatious to be forced to the conviction that any attempt to
reach the North Pole is but too likely to end in disappointment; but
every fresh enterprise seems to lead to this conclusion.

Hudson, whose name is perpetuated in the bay, reached lat. 82 (as is
laid down) in the year 1606; and a Scottish journal states, that the
Neptune whaler, in 1816, got as high as 83 deg. 20 min.; but of the
accuracy of this statement we have great doubts.

_The Land Arctic Expedition._--About the end of June, 1826, Captain
Franklin arrived at the last of the Hudson Bay company's posts, named
Fort Good Hope, in lat. 67 deg. 28 min. N., long. 130 deg. 53 min. W.;
with the expedition under his command in excellent health and spirits.

Three days' journey from thence, on the 4th of July, he despatched a
party to the eastward, under the command of Dr. Richardson, and
proceeded himself, in command of another party, by the western channel
of Mackenzie's river, which flows at the foot of the Rocky Mountains,
an