The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-05
AbOre the Arctic Circle.
The AIarysls OF the Frigid Zone--Inter-
e.tIng Experiences In the search for
The Open Polar SeR--Surrounded ny
leebefgI,

lures descriptive Of his search OF the
open polar sea, described the glaciers
and icebergs of Greenland wildly. All
the interior OF Greenland, the lecturer
said, is one vast field Of ice, which grad.
ually and imperceptibly moves down
ward toward the sea, the centre moving
somewhat more rapidly than the sides,
and by the fractures thus created giving
TO the ice those fantastic shapes which
from time immemorial have been at
once the marvel and admiration Of ex-
plOrers. When the glacier reaches the
sea it passes on us before over the in.
clined plain beneath the surface, until
so much Of it is immersed that it is no
longer able to resist the buoyancy OF
the water, and breaking from the ga-
cier, with roar that can be heard for
miles, the iceberg rises to the surface,
and floats away sometimes Us far Us the
coast OF Newfoundland, while the gla.
cier continues its ceaseless movement
downward to form new icebergs from
age to age. The masses OF ice thus de.
taclled OF course vary in size, but in nll
Of them there is seven times us much
ice under water as appears above the
surface. From the deck OF his vessel
DR.. Hayes once counted as many as 800,
some MS large as the hall IN which he
stood, others MS large as Trinity church,
still others rs large as the city OF New
York, and yet others twelve times the
size OF New York. One in especial
arose 317 feet above surface, and he
computed it's weight TO have been not
less than twenty.seven millions OF tons.
With regard TO the midnight sun, DIR.
Hayes related an incident which, had
he not actually witnessed it himself,
might possibly have been received with
incredulity by his audience. As he
Travelled northward the days gradually
heightened until darkness ceased alto
gother, and the sun was neverout OF sight.
The passengers on board the ship were
much incomnoded, and were obliged
to create artificial darkness by drawing
curtains around them when they desired
to sleep. The dumb animals on bonrd
were in pitiful state Of CONSERVATION
the dogs howled increasingly, and
eyinced desire to bay tho sun. But
the most remarkable effect was created
upon IN old rooster, the last Of their
stock OF fowl, whose life had been spared
in consideration Of his age and conse-
quent toughness. This venerable bird,
day after day, watched the heavens, but
found no opportunity Of heralding the
approach OF dawn by his wonted crow.
Lis mind at last gave way, and one
morning, in full view OF the astounded
yoyagors, the unhappy bird flew upon
the rail OF the ship, stretched his neck
toward the sun, and giving the merest
apology for crow, sprang into the
ocean and was seen no more.
In 1860 DR.. Hayes first expedition
sailed northward, and breaking through
the ice in Bafin's Bay, penetrated rs
far rs latitude 760, this, up to that time,
being the furthest point ever attained
by explorers. On the icebergs which
lie encountered polar bears were very
numerous. These animals, he said, are
far from being the ferocious monsters
which yoyagers are so fond OF depicting.
They are, in fact, very timid creatures.
As m instance OF their cowardice, lie
related nm account Of his suddenly
meeting one in the middle OF m arctic
night, that is to say, broad daylight.
Without moments hesitation the doc:
tor turned and ran, never stopping until
his breath was utterly exhausted; he
then looked behind him to see, as he
said how long lease OF life remained
for him, and to his unspeakable relief
saw the bear was running also, but in
tho opposite direction.
A very perilous adventure through
which he passed during this voyage was
listened 10 with breathlcss attention.
The ship was lying in o large natural
bay or harbor, close to glacier; one
day terrific roaring startled every one
on board. An immense iceberg had
parted from the glacier, aud risen to
the surface SO near the ship that the
first of n succession OF waves which it
created carried the vessel, dragging her
anchor, entirely across the bay, leaving
her within few feet Of the rocks on
the opposite side. The wave recoiling,
thew over the deck volume OF water
that swept before it everything not
made fast, and forced the crew to hold
on for their lives.
Two OF the finest glaciers the lecturer
saw lie christened after Prof. Tyndall
in compliment to the great scientist for
his Alpine researches. Among the in
teresting TEXTURES Of tho lecture was the
exhibition OF some exquisite photo
graphs Of Arctic scenes reflected upon
a curtain on the stage. One Of these
was gigantic rock on the coast OF
Greenland, which was in all respects
similar to that on which tho ill-fated
Atlantic had struck, and 1t was matter
of surprise to DR.. Hayes, in view Of the
nature Of the coast, that SO many OF the
Atlantic's passengers had been sayed.
Melville Bay was the highest point
reached in this expedition. In conclu-
ding his lecture DR.. Hayes said that
this trip might be made by any gentle
man during the summer months in his
own yacht Noble sport could be found
in shooting polar bears, and the triT
would be no more dangerous than
crossing the Atlantic. Atthe first blush
IL might seem that sailing among these
tremendous glaciers and icebergs was
perilous navigation, but 1t should be
borne in mind that at the proper season
darkness never hides them, and hence
danger from this source need scarcely
be apprehendcd.
THB MoDocs. General schoaeld sen
the following dispatch to General Gil
lem q Please inform mo fullyo the sitaa