TEACHINGS OF NATURE.

1. The seasons came and went, and went and came,
To teach man gratitude; and, as they passed,
Gave warning of the lapse of time, that else
Had stolen unheeded by: the gentle flowers
Retired, and, stooping o'er the wilderness,
Talked of humility, and peace and love.
The dews came down unseen at evening tide,
And silently their bounties shed, to teach
Mankind unostentatious charity.

And, on the rugged mountain brow reposed,
Bearing the blast alone, the ancient oak
Stood, lifting high his mighty arm, and still
Το courage in distress exhorted loud,

The flocks, the herds, the birds, the streams, the breeze,

Attuned the heart to melody and love.

3. Mercy stood in the cloud, with eye that wept
Essential love; and, from her glorious brow,
Bending to kiss the earth in token of peace,
With her own lips, her gracious lips, which God
Of sweetest accent made, she whispered still,
She whispered to Revenge, Forgive! forgive!

4. The sun, rejoicing round the earth, announced
Daily the wisdom, power, and love of God.
The morn awoke, and, from her maiden face,
Shedding her cloudy locks, looked meekly forth,
And, with her virgin stars, walked in the heavens,—
Walked nightly there, conversing as she walked
Of purity, and holiness, and God.

5. In dreams and visions, sleep instructed much,
Day uttereth speech to day, and night to night
Taught knowledge: silence had a tongue: the grave,
The darkness, and the lonely waste, had each
A tongue, that ever said, Man! think of God!
Think of thyself! think of eternity!

-R. Pollok.

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION OF 1875-76 IN

SEARCH OF THE NORTH POLE.

PART I.

1. The objects of this expedition, fitted up and sent out by the English government, were to get to, or as near as possible to, the North Pole, to examine, and collect specimens of the minerals, vegetables, and animals found in these regions, and lastly, to settle the vexed question as to whether round the Pole itself there was land, an open sea, or a sea of eternal ice.

2. Many Arctic expeditions have during the past century sailed from our shores, but these have had for their chief object the discovery of a north-west passage into the Pacific Ocean. One of the most successful of the Arctic explorers was Sir John Franklin, who made many voyages of discovery to these regions between the years. 1819 and 1844.

3. His last expedition was made in the year 1845 with two ships, the Erebus and Terror. When he had been absent about three years, and no tidings had been heard of him, the nation exhibited much anxiety as to his fate. Between the years 1848 and 1855 no fewer than seventeen expeditions from this country, and three from the United States of America, were sent out in search of him. Vague rumours came from time to time to this country of traces of him having been found.

4. Dr. Rae, an American explorer, bought articles from the Esquimaux, which were known to have belonged to his ships. It was not, however, until the year 1859 that Sir Leopold M'Clintock came back with the news that a tin case had been discovered that had been hidden

in a cave, in which he had found a written account of the destruction of the ships by icebergs, and of the death of Sir John Franklin. It had been placed there by one of the explorers, who afterwards met his death like the rest of his companions by exposure to cold and famine.

5. These Arctic expeditions did much to familiarize this country with Arctic research, but they did little to open up the countries or seas around the Pole; indeed, the place where Sir John Franklin met his death was only about half-way between England and the North Pole.

6. In 1874 the government, on the recommendation of several scientific societies, determined to fit out an expedition at the cost of the nation to explore the Polar regions. No expense was spared in the fitting out of the ships, and everything was done on the advice of the most eminent Arctic explorers to ensure its success.

7. The ships chosen for this hazardous expedition were built of wood, and were specially strengthened by a lining of teak. On the top of one of the masts a sort of barrel was fixed. This was called the "crow's nest," and was used for the man on "look out." He sat up there and directed the course of the vessel in the intricate channels amongst the ice.

8. Every precaution was taken for the preservation of the health of both officers and men. Thick suits of warm clothing, and gloves lined with fur, were served out to all. Wooden shoes were taken to wear when the men

walked on the ice, and spectacles to preserve their eyes from snow blindness.

Tents were taken for the men to sleep in when they made sledge journeys on the ice, and also portable stoves to be heated with spirits of wine to supply warmth, and as a means of cooking their food; in short, everything was taken that could be suggested, to ward off the effects of the cold.

9. Provisions in abundance were supplied to both ships, consisting mostly of preserved meats and pemmican, a kind of food much used in these cold climates composed of a mixture of meat and vegetables.

Sledges were also taken in case the seas around the Pole should be covered with ice. Some of these were constructed to be drawn by men, others by dogs. Indeed all that science and experience could do to make the expedition perfect was done.

The ships were named the Alert and the Discovery, and the command was given to Sir George Nares, an experienced officer who had shortly before commanded the Challenger in her scientific voyage around the world.

10. The ships left Portsmouth on the 29th of May, 1875, amidst the acclamations of a large concourse of people who had assembled to witness their departure. Many anxious eyes were fixed on them, as decked with flags they steamed out of the harbour. Amongst that large crowd were some who had fathers or brothers on board, and as the part of the world to which the ships were bound was unknown, many feared that it was the last time they would see either the ships or their crews. The whole nation, indeed, felt interested in the expedition, and the Queen herself sent a telegram to the commander wishing him success.