The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-07-02
The Arctic Repions


holm from his Northern trip, and in let.
ter to the Tribune, dated February 10, thus
sums up the relative pleasure Of travel in
the Arctic and in tropical zones,
at was precisely two months after our
departure in December and in tha, time
we had performed journey of 1900 miles,
250 of which were by reindeer, and nearly
500 inside of the Arctic Circle. Our frC-
zen noses had peeled off, and the new skin
showed no signs of the damage they had
sustained-so that we had come out of tbe
fight not only without scar, but with
marked increase of robust vitality.
81 must confess, however, that. interest
ing as the journey has been, and happily as
we have endured its exposure, should not
wish TO make it again. 1t is well 70 see the
North, even after the South; but, as there
is no one who visits the tropics without
longing ever after to return again, so, linn
agine, there is no one who, having seen a
winter inside the Arctic Circle, would ever
wi h TO see another. In spite Of the warm,
gorgeous, and everchanging play OF color
liovering over the path of the unseen sun
in spite Of the dazzling auroral dances snd
the magical TRANSPORTATION OF tue forests
the absence Of true daylight, and of all signs
of warmth and life, exercise at last de-
pressing influence on the espirits. The snow
so beautiful while the sunrise-setting illumi.
nation lasts, wears Il ghastly monotony M
all other times, and tue air, so exhilarating,
even at the lowest temperature, becomes an
enemy to be kept out when you know his
terrible power 10 benumb and destroy.
"To the native Of warmer zone this
presence of an unseen destructive force in
nature weighs like nightmare upon the
mind. The inhabitants Of the North also
seem to undergo 4 species of hibernation as
well rs the animals. Nearly half their time
is passed in sleep; they are silent in com.
parison with the natives Of the other parts
Of the world; there is little exuberant gaye-
~ and cheerfulness, but patience, indiffer.
ence. apathy almost. aspects of nature
which appear TO be hostile to man often de-
velop and bring into play his best energies,
but there are others which depress and para
lyze his powers. am convinced that the
extreme North, like the tropics, is unfavora-
ble to the best mental and physical condi-
! tion Of the human race. The proper zone
Of man lies between 80 and 80 deg. north.
"To one who has not an unusual eapaci-
ty TO enjoy the experiences Of varied travel,
| should not recommend such journey.
With me the realization of q long-cherish-
ed desire, the sense of novelty, the opportu-
nifty for contrasting extremes, and the in
terest with which the people inspired me,
far outweighed all irconvenieuces and pri-
vations. In fact, was not fully aware OF
the gloom and cold in which had lived
until we returned far enough southwark to
enjoy eight hours Of sunshine and a tenn
perature above the freezing point 1t was
second birth into living world. Al
though we had experienced little positive
suffering from the intense cold, except on
the return from Muoniovora TO Haparanda,
our bodies had already accommodated them.
selves TO low temperature, and the sudden
transition to 80 deg. above zero came upon
us like the warmth Of june.
"My friend, DR.. Kane, once described 10
me the comfort he felt when the mercury
rose to 7 deg. below zero, making it pleas
ant to be on deck The circumstance was
then incomprehensible 10 me, but is now
quite plain. can also realize the terrible
sutferings Of himself and his men, exposed
to storm in temperature of "A deg,
"itu VIC Sdluc ucSICt VI Cpt, Win Nofy
light wind, turned my own blood to ice.
"Most OF our physical sensations are re-
latve, and the mere enumeration Of so ma
ny degrees of heat or cold gives no idea of
their effect upon the system. | should have
frozen at homo last winter at a tempera-
ture which found very comfortable in
Laplaud, with my solid diet of meat and
butter, and my garments of reindeer. The
following is correct scale Of the physical
effect Of cold calculated for the latitude Of
65 deg. to 20 deg. north:
ais deg above zero-.unpleasantly warm.
"Zero-mild and agreeable.
"l0deg. below zero-pleasantly fresh and
bracing
400 deg. below zero--sharp, but not Sc
verely cold. Keep your fingers and toes in
motion, and rub your nose occasionally.
80 deg. below zero-very cold; take
particular care Of your nose and extremi-
ties eat the fatlest food, and plenty OF it.
40 deg. below intensely cold; keep
awake at all hazards, muffle up 10 The eyes,
and test your circulation frequently, that it
may not stop somewhere before you know
it.
$50 deg. below--a struggle for life.
--4.ss -
THE VERBENA.-Verben may be plant
ed out in beds or mazes, in all their various
coors. This is method now in universal
use, and 10y which the most gorgeous and
beautiful effects are produced. The beds
are generally cut out Of the sod, in the
flower garden or lawn, Of figures 10 suit the
fancy, and each bed filled with plants Of
one color, which, as they grow, arc TO be
pegged close to the ground, and not per-
miued to bloom, but nipped back frequent.
", until the bed is completely covered. a
watering with weak liquid manure, or with
soap suds, will greally assist in the brilliant
effect produced, aud great care is necessary
to keep mp uniform and symmetrical
growth Of the plants. Ladies, who cult.
vate the vcrbena in the house. will find il
essential to secure an eauable temDeratuTe