Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-03

partments to this extreme cold, yet there was
not single instance Of cough, cold, or catarr-
hal affection whatever among the crews OF ell
] Their vessel; the warm bath was frequently used
and was found highly beneficial in preventing
| the cold, and it was remarked that the more
| the body was heated immediately previous to
going out on any excursion, the longer they
could remain exposed 10 this cold without IN
| Jury; and, that the cold was severe may be IN
| ferred from the circumstance, that the steam
from the baths congealed in its ascent and Tell
| in shower Of snow.
The scenery in Prince Regents Inlet is OF
the most magnificent description; the coast IN
| some places, presenting front three hundred
| feet high almost perpendicular; this is suppos-
ed to be occasioned by the action OF the water
| freezing in some crevices OF the granite, and
expanding it like wedge until portion OF 1t
| becomes separated; this was inferred from the
circumstance that large masses OF granite were
/ found on floating icebergs, which made them
sometimes be mistaken for land.
Few collections in natural history were made
during the voyage; some botanical and entomo-
| gical specimens, however, were obtained.
few deer were shot, and some Arctic bears, on
which the dogs were fed; the old Esqumaux
dog is still alive, but his mate died, no, howev-
err, until she had left litter of puppies, which
have also procreated, SO that the breed is likely
TO re perpetuated A good deal of grouse was
obtained, which was found very seasonable.-|
The voyagers never saw human being, but
found traces Of them in various parts; should
the poor Esquinnaux meet with the stores that
were left, they will be astonished, and al loss
to know what to do with the prize. Were ano-
Their voyage TO be made ii is probable that the
EsquimauX would be found dressed in the uni
form of Capt Hopner, or treasuring up articles
Of which they know not the use; but 1t seems
doubtful whether any expedition will be sent
out, in the same direction al least. These par
ticulars, though very hastily written, are COR
rect; and are, perhaps, nearly all that will trans
pire until Capt Parry publishes his own nara
tive, which he will do in the course OF the winter
Captain Parry was well provided with chro-
nometers, and with some very ingenious instru-
ments, to enable him to take observations when
the sun was not visible, but none OF these were
found 10 answer; the officers, however, were very
actively employed in making observations and
Capt Parry's journals are said to record many
curious facts interesting 10 science During
the winter, the title OF a newspaper could bare
v be read at MONDAY on deck, so dense was the
gloom which pervaded the atmosphere for ma
nv months. this dismal period was relieved by
various entertainments, particularly masque
rates, aud we know not whether the honest cha
racter of British sailors will think it compli-
ment or not, but many Of them were very dex-
ferrous in their DISCUSSES. Nothing could be
more social, consistent with proper discipline,
than the officers and crews Of the two vessels;
they seemed like one happy family, the men
proud Of their officers and the officers fully sa
-, G,d nh tho conduct If the men w ho kent
cheerful amds, all their privatons and fatigues.
When working a: the Fury, they sometimes
seemed to comprehend the orders OF the officers
with difficulty, owing TO the langour Of exces-
sive fatigue, and degree Of stupor created by
the cold-the intellect seemed, as it were, be-
n umbed. We'cannot, perhaps, better conclude
this narrative than with the following anecdotes
Of the expedition
During the time the crews were engaged in
clearing the Fury, regular current floating the
ice pa>t them at the rate Of a mile and half an
hour, was to them strong indication OF an O.
pen sea not far distant. The Fury was com
petely cleared Of every thing, even Of her Goals,
and the repairs nearly competed, when the Hec-
la was blown off; and when she returned and
found her consort so nearly destroyed, regu-
lar survey was made, and all hope of restoring
her to service was given up. The officers
speak of the ten months they were locked IN the
ice as most dreary season In one OF the mas
querades. Capt. Parry assumed the disguise Of
poor enfeebled creature, scarcely able to totter
above ground, and his disguise was so com.
p!ete, that one of the c,ew who had personated
an undertaken, declared him unfit for this world,
! took his measure, and proceeded with some as
sistants to dig his grave, into which they har-
ried their well-disguised captain, who was o.
hliged to undeccive them to prevent a prema-
ture burial
| l, has been stated in the daily papers, that of
the two seamcn who died, one was from acct
dent, the other from disease-but the death of
both resulted from accident, one having fallen
on block of ice, and injured his back, which
produced diseased spine, and the loss OF the
other seems likely to give strength to the doc
trinc, orthodox among seamen, that particular
fate is attached to every man-whe'her On sea
or on shore, Death will have his victim at the
appointed hour This seaman was one Of the
| four mates who went on little expedition for
curiosity, over table mountain, unarmed; he Sc
parated from his companions, intending to make
little tour and re Join them, bu, had not proceed
ed far, when he was pursuedb BY bear-to assist
his speed he threw off his snow shoes or boots,
and fed till ne got to the edge Of the rock,
where he had to decide in moment whether
he would hurl himself down the almost perpen-