the Orkneys, that we had been only able to procure the meridian altitude of the sun twice. Thus we had been twelve days already on our voyage, with only two good observations. It ought also to be mentioned, that we found ourselves much retarded by the bad sailing of the North-west ships; but the Moravian brig sailed very well.

JULY 12th.-Course run, N.w.by w.62 miles. It blew strong all night; but we had a fine day; and towards noon, the wind shifted round, and blew fair at South. We got a peep at the sun this day, and found we were in latitude 57°. 15'. N.

JULY 13th.-Course run, w.IN. 76 miles. In the morning, the wind changed to N. by E. and blew a moderate breeze. After night-fall we had a faint appearance of the Aurora Borealis, in the shape of a rainbow,

rainbow, which rendered it peculiarly interesting.

JULY 14th.-Course run, s.w. by s. 71 miles. At 9 A. M. we tacked about; and the wind coming fair, we steered N. w. by N. Our ship this forenoon was completely surrounded by innumerable flights of sea-gulls. I should imagine that they had been attracted hither by some unusual assemblage of fish, as they were all busily employed in attacks on the finny tribe.

JULY 15th.-Course run, w. by N. 106 miles. This morning we were going five miles an hour, with a fair breeze and thick weather. It is to be observed, that, with a wind from the South-east or East, we have always had a fog; and I have also noticed this to be the case as far to the southward as the Banks of Newfoundland; although I am utterly incapable to account for it satisfactorily.

Since our departure from Stromness, the variation of the compass had been gradually increasing. We this day allowed for a difference of four points westerly, between the magnetic and the true needle; whereas at Orkney there is only a difference of two points and a half, or 28 degrees. Thus it continued increasing until we arrived within about 300 miles of the settlements in Hudson's Bay; when it decreases much more suddenly; falling away, in that short distance, to half a point, or five degrees, West-this being the ascertained variation at York Factory. I should think that no subject could exhibit to an inquisitive mind a more astonishing matter of inquiry, than the singular phænomenon which I have just noticed. Can any thing be more surprising, than that the variation should increase but eighteen degrees, in a run of upwards of 2000 miles to the westward; and that it should then begin to turn; and, in the short run of

300 miles on the same course, that it should suddenly decrease 41 degrees? An officer belonging to one of the Hudson's-Bay ships attempted to account for this astonishing attraction of the needle, by supposing the contiguity of metallic mountains; but he could state no facts in support of his hypothesis: and, although the interior of the N. W. part of America has doubtless been explored, and is even actually colonized, owing to the enterprising spirit of a Selkirk, yet I cannot learn that any metallic mountains have been discovered, with a sufficient profusion of ore to cause such an aberration in the compass, and at so great a distance*

Our latitude this day was 56o. 35′. N.; longitude 38o. w. Towards noon, our fair breeze

* For an accurate Table of the different degrees of variation, see Appendix (A).

breeze died away, and we had light winds from the westward: in the evening, w exercised the men with the great guns, in firing at a cask in the water.

JULY 16th.-Course run, N.W.IN. 35 miles. Light winds and vexatious calms all this day. We now considered ourselves to be distant from the entrance of Hudson's Straits about 840 miles. I know not what reason could have induced the first discoverers of the northern regions to give such intimidating names to all the most conspicuous capes, promontories, bays, creeks, &c.; unless they were originally bestowed with a view of preventing others from visiting those countries; and at the same time to enhance the public opinion of their own courage :→→ for instance, we passed, in our voyage to Hudson's Bay, Capes Resolution, Comfort, Farewell, Discord, and Desolation; also, Icy

and