the manner in which we passed the winter
at Melville Island; for the two situations were so nearly similar,
and our resources necessarily so limited in this way, that it was
not easy to produce much variety in the employment of them. It may
be imagined, and was, indeed, anticipated by ourselves, that want
of novelty was on the present occasion a disadvantage likely to
render our confinement more tedious than before; but this by no
means appeared to be the case: for the men, sufficient employment
may always be found to prevent the possibility of their being
idle; and I have already noticed the auxiliaries to which we had
recourse to assist in promoting this end; while most officers have
resources within themselves, of which scarcely any situation or
circumstances can divest them. What with reading, writing, making
and calculating observations, observing the various natural
phenomena, and taking the exercise necessary to preserve our
health, nobody, I believe, ever felt any symptoms of _ennui_
during our continuance in winter-quarters.

Among the recreations which afforded the highest gratification to
several among us, I may mention the musical parties we were
enabled to muster, and which assembled on stated evenings
throughout the winter, alternately in Captain Lyon's cabin and my
own. More skilful amateurs in music might well have smiled at
these our humble concerts; but it will not incline them to think
less of the science they admire, to be assured that, in these
remote and desolate regions of the globe, it has often furnished
us with the most pleasurable sensations which our situation was
capable of affording: for, independently of the mere gratification
afforded to the ear by music, there is, perhaps, scarcely a person
in the world really fond of it, in whose mind its sound is not
more or less connected with "his far distant home."

With our time thus occupied, our comforts so abundant, and the
prospect to seaward so enlivening, it would, indeed, have been our
own faults had we felt anything but enjoyment in our present
state, and the most lively hopes and expectations for the future.

CHAPTER VII.

Many Foxes caught.--Continued Open Water in the Offing.--Partial
Disruption of the Ice in the Bay.--Meteorological Phenomena, and
Temperature of Animals.--Arrival of a Tribe of Esquimaux.--First
Meeting and subsequent Intercourse with them.--Esquimaux in Want
of Provisions.--Supplied with Bread-dust.--Some Ac