py of the plate. The Dutch Fire Side is a delightful engraving, by W. Finden, in which a mastery of light and shadow is displayed a very Rembrandt on copper; and the Dutch Courtship, C. Rolls, is a worthy companion to it, both in design aad execution. Antony Von Corlear setting off for the wars (A. W. Warren) completes a trio of as entertaining prints as could adorn any entertaining story. W. Klieft's New

Punishment is clever, but not so much to our taste: the sentimental subjects have nothing remarkable; and the conclusion " Peter Stuyvesant rebuking the Cobler," is most commendable for character. Upon the whole, nothing more worthy of the author could have been produced; and Mr. Leslie has fortunately linked his name for posterity to that of Washington Irving.

THE return of the Expedition under the command of Captain Parry from the voyage to discover a Northwest passage is an event of so much public interest, that our readers will, we trust, not only excuse our devoting a considerable portion of our succeeding Journal to an account of its proceedings, but will feel that we have done our duty towards them, in using strenuous exertions to gather from every authentic quarter the leading particulars of this narrative.

On the 10th instant, the Fury and Hecla arrived at Lerwick, in Shetland. Leaving Lerwick, the vessels made the northern coast of England, on the 16th, and on Wednesday (22d October) moored off the dock-yard at Deptford, amid the cheers of hundreds who lined the shores as they passed along.

On their way up the river, they were boarded by several persons of note, and by many kind and anxious friends, whose meeting with their respective relations and persons dear to them, formed a scene altogether of the most interesting description. Here was "Sweethearts and Wives" far better acted than even at the Hay-market, and the recognitions, the enquiries, the groupings, and the various expressions of voice, countenance, and gesture, were at once highly entertaining and affecting, and we can truly say that we never witnessed a sight which afforded us greater pleasure. The sides were ascended and decks almost crowded by the curious who were fortunate enough to have the privilege of visiting the ships, and by those connected with the crews. In one part might be seen an honest Tar embracing his partner with a heartiness which did credit to a tedious ab

sence, and was certainly without example in the whole history of Esquimaux fellowship-the only human intercourse enjoyed (if it may be so called) during two years and a half. In another direction the cooking apparatus was speedily put in requisition, and fresh provisions and vegetables had justice done to them, as luxuries of no common cast. Here were strangers examining the canoes, large animal specimens, and other rarities brought from the Arctic regions; and in the long-boats, slung upon the deck of each vessel, were six or eight of those wolf-looking dogs which are so important to the natives, howling and fighting like wild beasts of the most savage nature. We mention these circumstances, not of any consequence to the voyage, but as forming a spectacle of so singular and interesting a character, that we only wish our graphic powers were more adequate to its description. On arriving at Deptford, most of the officers hastened ashore, and from an intimacy with some of them we have collected the following Digest, for whose irregularities and want of proper order, the haste in which it is thrown together must be our apology.

The outward voyage in 1821 was fair and prosperous. Passing up Hudson's Straits the navigators kept near the land on their South, and explored the coast towards Repulse Bay. The farthest West which they attained was 80 deg. of longitude, and the highest latitude only 60 deg. 48 min. N.; and they finally brought up for winter quarters at a small isle which they named Winter Island, in 82 deg. 58 min. W. longitude, and latitude 66 deg. 11 min. N. By inspecting the common maps, it will be seen that they are

very faulty in laying down both land and water in this direction; though the later and best charts are somewhat more correct. The globe and chartmakers, however, will have very little trouble in laying down the discoveries made in the present voyage. The chief part of the summer of 1821 was occupied in examining Repulse Bay, and some inlets to the eastward of it, through some one or other of which they hoped to find a passage into the Polar Sea. In this they were disappointed, for all the openings proved to be only deep inlets, which ran into the continent of America. While thus occupied, early in October the sea began to freeze; and on the 8th of that month the ships were laid up for the winter, in the situation noted above. Here, at Winter Island, the Expedition was frozen up from the 8th of October 1821 to the 2d of July 1822. The vessels were within two or three hundred paces of each other; and occupations and amusements, similar to those practised in the preceding voyage were resorted to. We are informed, however, that the Plays did not go off so well; nor were the ships' companies altogether so harmoniously social as on the former occasion. The necessity for maintaining discipline, and other causes, to which we need not allude, stood in the way of this perfect accord and satisfaction.

One of the principal events which we have to notice in this period, was the beneficial effects produced by the system of heating the ships with currents of warm air. These were directed to every requisite part by means of metallic tubes, and so well did the contrivance answer its purpose, that the lowest temperature experienced during the winter was 360 below zero. In the second winter it was ten degrees lower, viz. 45° below zero; but this was not near so difficult to endure, nor so inconvenient as the cold in Captain Parry's first voyage, nor indeed, if we are rightly instructed, as that felt in the northern station of the Hudson Bay traders on the American Continent.

The provision cases, we understand, did not turn out so well; for, though the meats were preserved fresh, they

were found to be very insipid on constant use, and the men got as tired of them as they generally do of salt provisions. From the quantum of boiling needed in these preparations the nutritive juices are extracted, and the taste so reduced that it is not easy to tell veal from beef. They, however, (like French cookery done to rags) made a change, and were so far acceptable.

Fish were caught, and formed another more welcome variety. These were chiefly a small salmon of about 7 or 8 lbs. weight, of which about 300 were taken; the Coal. fish, and the Alpine Trout, which latter was found in a fresh-water stream on an island to the westward of Winter Island. This river, according to the native accounts, flowed from a lake whence also another river ran into the sea on the other side; that is to say, one stream in a southeasterly direction towards Hudson's Bay, and the other in a south-westerly course towards (perhaps) the Polar Sea. The small fish known by the name of the Miller's Thumb, was also in great abundance, and the sea swarmed with Molusca.

Nothing occurred, during the first part of the winter, deserving of any particular notice; but one morning, in the beginning of February, our people were surprised by the appearance of strange forms upon the snow-plain in their vicinity, and of persons running to and fro. This was a tribe of about fifty Esquimaux, who were erecting their snow-huts, and taking up their residence at a short distance from the vessels. At first it was hoped that this might be Captain Franklin's Expedition, but the hope quickly vanished; and the settlers were found to be one of those wandering hordes which roam along the shore in search of food, and make their habitations wherever it can be obtained in sufficient quantity. The great dependence of these people upon the produce of the sea for their sustenance, necessarily confines their migrations to the coasts, and, except hastily travelling across land in any journey occasionally, it may be presumed from their habits that they never establish themselves ten miles from the water's edge. Thus we infer, that all the inte

years old, and in one case the greatgrand-mother of a child of 7 or 8 years was a healthy old woman at the head of four generations. The stature of the males is about the average of five feet, 4, 5, or 6 inches; and none exceed 5 ft. 10 in. Their colour is a dirty-looking yellowish white, and their proportions by no means robust.

We have mentioned the appearance of the snow-houses when first seen; they are curiously shaped and constructed, and entered by one long passage by all the three families to whom these yield an abode. [See type below] A trefoil affords a tolerable idea

of them. They are about nine feet in diameter, and 7 or 8 feet in height. The passage is about 20 feet in length, and so low that you must creep along nearly on all-fours, in order to reach the hut. This is ingeniously intended to exclude the cold air, which it does effectually, though widened in parts for lodging the dogs belonging to the several households, and which are stationed in the last sort of anti-chamber before the entrances turn off to the right and left for the two nearest huts. The window is a piece of flat transparent ice. Round the interior runs a seat of the same material as the walls, upon which the skins of animals are thrown for seats and beds. Beds are also made of a plant, on the floor (see farther on). The houses are without any artificial warmth, except what is produced by a sort of oil lamp, in which they used pieces of dry moss for wicks, also hereafter described.

In the winter of 1822-3, native dwellings or huts constructed of bone were also seen. The Esquimaux often eat flesh in a raw state; but it is some times cooked, and the women almost invariably submit their food to that process. The utensils are uncommon, though simple. They consist of two vessels of stone; generally the pot

stone or lapis-ollaris, also used in parts of Germany for the same purpose. The lower vessel a good deal resembles an English kitchen ash shovel: the upper one a trough, of a wide coffin form. In the first, which is filled with oil, a number of moss wicks float, and are lighted for the fuel. The oil is gradually supplied from strings of fat hung up above the flames, the heat of which melts them into so many reservoirs of grease. In the second utensil, placed over the fire thus made, the meat is stewed. The natives are filthy in their eating, and hardly reject any thing, from the blubber of whale to the flesh of wolf. When hungry, they devoured the carcases of ten or a dozen of the latter which were killed by our seamen. Their food, indeed, consisted chiefly of seal and wolves' flesh; but notwithstanding this, they appeared to be perfectly contented, nay, even happy. Their dresses were made entirely of skins, chiefly those of the reindeer. The lapis-ollaris is originally so soft that it may be cut into form with a knife; and when it is not to be found, an extraordinary substitute is manufactured into pots and pans. This is a cement composed of dogs' hair, seals' blood, and a particular clay, which soon becomes hard as stone, and bears the effects both of oil and fire below and moisture and stewing above.

In the beginning of their intercourse the Esquimaux were somewhat reserved, and shy of communicating their opinions; but as their reserve wore oli, they divulged a number of interesting particulars. The women, especially, were less secret than the men, who (we may here state by the by) had no hesitation in bartering their wives and daughters with the sailors, at first for so poor a bribe as a nail, or two or three beads, and at last for the price of a paltry knife.

These females are not, it is true, the most lovely objects in nature. We have been shown a map drawn by one of them, (a remarkable instance of intelligence,) in which she represents two islands to the north of the second winter's position of the ships, and others in different directions, giving rather sonorous names to them all.

The

nearest on the north is several days' journey across, and the roaming of the Esquimaux tribes is confined to these islands, as they never venture upon the continent. Every family has a sledge, and generally five or six dogs, with whom they travel with great ease, and hunt.

They say that their race originally sprung from a beneficent female Spirit; and that from another wicked female Spirit descended the other three creatures who inhabit the earth, namely, the Itkali, or Indians, the Cabluna, or Europeans; and (after long hesitation before they would express it) the Dogs which they drive in their sledges! The Itkali they abhor and speak of as murderers, who never spare their trifles. Of the Cablunæ they had only heard by report, never having seen a European till they encountered those in the Fury and Hecla; but it is clear from their classing them with the Indians and Dogs, that they have no very exalted idea of their virtues.

With their own appellation of Esquimaux they are not acquainted, but call themselves Enuce. The other name is understood to be a name of reproach, meaning, "Eaters of raw

flesh."

From the above it appears that they entertain a belief in certain spirits or superior beings; but their notions concerning them are extremely rude and vague. This was displayed by the Angekok or Conjuror, of whom we have spoken. This great man was, after much entreaty, prevailed upon to exhibit his supernatural powers in the Captain's cabin of one of the ships. He was accompanied by his wife, and began his operations by having every glimpse of external light carefully excluded. Still the fire emitted a glimmering, and this was covered with a thick mat; so that at length all was utter darkness. The Angekok then stripped himself naked, and lay down upon the floor, and pretended that he was going to the lower regions where the spirits dwell. His incantations consisted of hardly articulate sounds, not appearing to have any meaning at tached to them, but to be the muttering and whining of strange syllables. He

also practised a kind of ventriloquism; and modulated his voice so as to give it the effect of nearness and greater distance, in the depths to which he wished it to be believed he had descended. This farce lasted about twenty minutes; and on the re-admission of light, the actor gave an account of his adventures, and of what the spirits had told him. As a proof of the truth of his facts, and the reality of his colloquies, he produced stripes of fur which one of the spirits had fastened on the back of his skin-coat since he went down-which, indeed, his wife had been busily stitching on during the dark performance. Yet by such fables and impostures he maintained his sway over his ignorant countrymen, who implicitly credited his inventions and powers. The latter were consequently invoked upon all important occasions. Thus, for example, when they became scarce, or rather when the evil genius took away from the waters and the earth to her caverns beneath, the animals which constitute the principal food of the Enuee, our Angekok was employed to bring them back again. This he accomplished, agreeably to his own story by the following means. He called to his assistance Torngak, his Familiar and friendly spirit, in company with whom he journeyed to the realms below, to combat with the Evil Genius. With this aid and by his own address, he vanquished the enemy, and forced her to submit to his decrees. He then cut off the lower joints of her four fingers, and immediately the bears were released, and found their way to the upper regions. His next operation was to cut off the second joint, by which the seals were liberated. The excision of the upper joints performed a like service for the walrusses; and finally, by amputating the hand, the whales were freed to revisit the shores of the Esquimaux. To substantiate the truth of this great exploit, the bloody knife with which the deed had been done, is produced, and the reappearance of the bears, seals, walrusses, and whales, infallibly fol lows.

An immense value is set upon the testimonies of supernatual intimacy: