all worked with a will, they only proceeded at the rate of a mile a day. The men now suffered the greatest hardships, and had to sleep in tents which were pitched on the ice. At last sickness broke out, and the interpreter Petersen was so badly frost-bitten, that he died. Seeing the impossibility of getting to the Pole by this route, Captain Markham determined to return, and after incredible difficulties succeeded in getting back to the ship. 13. It now being evident that further progress to the north was absolutely impossible, Captain Nares decided to return home. The ice, however, remained firm until the 20th of July, when it began to show signs of breaking up. The ice around the ship was now blown up with gunpowder, and on the 31st of July, when a strong south-west wind set in, the Alert left her winter quarters. On the 11th of August she fell in with the Discovery, and both ships made the best of their way southwards. 14. After many more dangers were passed the ships reached the Danish colonies of Greenland, and put on shore the dogs and the surviving interpreter. The coast of Iceland was reached on the 27th of August, 1876, and on the 2d of November the ships re-entered Portsmouth harbour. 15. Although the expedition was not able to approach within 600 miles of the North Pole, yet many scientific discoveries were made, and the question was settled of the impracticability of reaching to the Pole by the route that had been chosen. succession, one following an other. gales, storms of wind. interpreters, translators of a spoken language. characteristics, special features. boulders, large roundish stones. drifted, floated. imminent, threatening. commodious, roomy. floes, large masses of floating ice. trended, inclined. zero, the point marked with 0, routine, ordinary duties. Where did the ships meet after their separation by the storm? What settlement did they soon afterwards reach, and what was taken on board? Name the most northerly settlement in the world. What interfered with the progress of the ships in Smith's Sound? Describe the appearance of the ice there. Where did the Discovery winter? Describe the appearance of the land after passing Robeson Channel. What prevented their progress? Where did the Alert anchor? In what latitude? What plants were found growing even here? By what means was the region around the ship explored? What was the temperature? How long was the sun absent? What was the ordinary routine of the men each day? How were the evenings spent? Describe the attempt made to reach the North Pole in the following spring. Why was it abandoned? How was the Alert freed from the ice? On what date did she rejoin the Discovery? When did the ships reach home? What were the results of the expedition? THE RETROSPECT. 1. Whilst lettered travellers delight to roam 2. Oft have my footsteps roamed the sacred spot, 3. Village, no pilgrim ever crept around 4. Cold was the morn, and bleak the wintry blast Howled o'er the meadow, when I viewed thee last; My bosom bounded, as I wandered round Each well-known field, each long-remembered ground. It seemed as though the world were changed, like mc. Where never idle weed to grow was seen; 6. Silent and sad awhile I paused, to gaze When here the man of learning held his sway; And high in health the mimic game pursue; 7. Seat of my earlier, happier days, farewell! Palmyra, a celebrated city of Ilyssus, a river running near -Southey. whilome, long ago. pilgrim, a traveller to places of sojourn, reside for a short time. MOZART. 1. Many of the greatest musicians have been very celebrated in their childhood for their musical talents, but none of them have excelled Johann Wolfgang Mozart. He was born in Salzburg, in January, 1756. When only three years old he listened intently to the lessons which his father, Leopold Mozart, was giving to his sister, Maria Anna, aged seven years. Mozart could then play thirds and other intervals on the harpsichord, and would smile at the beautiful sounds he produced. When he was a year older, he was taught some minuets and airs, which he learned with so much facility, that half an hour was sufficient for a minuet, and an hour for other pieces. |