PREFACE. THE absolute want of scientific information on the subject of northern climates induced the author of these observations to submit to a situation little attractive to choice in every consideration, namely, the place of surgeon to a whale ship, in order that, from personal experience, such information might be derived as would be acceptable to the generality of readers interested in such subjects. The matter of inquiry seemed to involve many objects highly deserving of illustration. To the inhabitants of southern lands, views sketched on the spot cannot fail of affording interest, as the drawings convey a complete idea of the actual situation of the polar world to the 77° N. latitude. Previous accounts had mentioned the existence of a people of singular character inhabiting those dreary regions: but it remained for the present detail to exhibit portraits from life, of human beings who cherish an abode in those inhospitable countries in preference to the comforts of milder climes. The arctic animals and birds of passage there found, and the whale fishery as connected with the manufactures and the maritime interests of Britain, given in detail, with appropriate drawings, appeared to the author an object of great interest, and consequently occupied much of his attention. This, therefore, it is presumed, will be considered as highly important. The arguments adduced to prove the practicability of a northwest passage are supported by facts not hitherto examined, and are of such weight as to give confidence in their accuracy. The accomplishment of this great object must be evidently of vast benefit to the commercial interests of Great Britain, and cannot fail to interest the reader, as the expectation of its discovery, excited in some measure by the fortunate voyage here related, has induced the government to fit out ships for a voyage of discovery, which after all may not be as fortunate. For the interests of science and of humanity, may it be still more so! Phenomena of atmosphere, new to men of science, and of important value in natural history, with accurate drawings, may also be very confidently held forth as objects worthy of attention. With regard, then, to points most important to public information, as well as in gratification of the feeling which led the author into the arctic regions-the general influence of seasons on the human species in high northern latitudes, and in countries undoubtedly insular the migratory animals frequenting those climates-the natural phenomena of atmosphere, and the ascertainment of magnetic variation-with regard to these, this work, in presenting facts, leaves little to conjecture, less to speculation. Aware of the system, by which, according to law, the Government is furnished with a log returned from each ship employed in the "Greenland fisheries "-a log calculated to support philosophical inquiry, only by reciting an exhibition of voyage by no means prejudical to the ship-owner's interest, and quite enough for the Government to know when additional revenue is the object to be recorded on the collector's books-perfectly aware of this, it appeared incumbent on one devoted to the cause of science to abstract himself from such interested purposes-to leave to the mate of a ship such arrangements of his log as might best suit the purposes of his employers, and to the master such plans of his private journal as, detailing every circumstance which could aid the advancement of his own interest, might be unseen by every eye but his own. Such records, truly remote, in regard to elucidation, from facts which concern the great cause of science, induced the author not to trust for support to documents placed in custom-houses, nor to rely on the uncertain information which might be coaxed from the master of a whale ship, but carefully to effect his intention by keeping a journal adapted to all the scientific objects he had in view. This was his purpose in undertaking a voyage hazardous in the extreme, cooped up with uninformed, unsociable beings. was the grand object of his choice, and his sole consolation. Nature It appeared highly worthy of attention to sketch or describe every land that came into view; but it was not always possible, from the low temperature of the atmosphere, to command the use of the pencil, and consequently the cabin stove, rather than the deck, presented often more accommodation for that purpose. Compelled by ardency of inquiry to endure unusual privation of sleep, and severest transitions of temperature, the author allowed to pass no opportunity, consistent with the maintenance of health, frequently urged to the extremity of constitutional endurance, lest a single thing conducive to the enlightening of the public mind should escape his observation. With this intent, painful personal feeling was disregarded in order to ascertain the latitude and exact situation of every point of land that came into view. This was effected chiefly by 8 means of the attention which Mr. W. Brass, master of the Thomas, In sight of the LINNEAN ISLES, July 17, the latitude was de- The Thomas was the last ship that sailed from the presence of |