was, I believe, the happy thought of a lady who had recently been admitted into the circle of "Arctic relations." The bright-coloured flowers, reminding us of home associations, were more thoroughly appreciated than even the good dinner which was provided for us, for which reference must be made to the following _menu_, composed by Pullen:-- H.M.S. "ALERT." À la Juliènne soup is the _potage_ we favour, And soles fried _au naturel_ serve us for fish; We have cutlets and green peas of elegant flavour-- Beef garnished with mushrooms--a true English dish. Then a mountain of beef from our cold Greenland valleys, Overshadowing proudly boiled mutton hard by, Till our appetite, waning, just playfully dallies With a small slice of ham--then gives in with a sigh. For lo! a real English plum-pudding doth greet us, And a crest of bright holly adorns its bold brow; While the choicest mince pies are yet waiting to meet us: Alas! are we equal to meeting them now? So we drink to our Queen, and we drink to the maiden, The wife, or the mother, that holds us most dear; And may we and our consort sail home richly laden With the spoils of success, ere December next year! In addition to the bill of fare, the annexed poem by the same accomplished author was printed and placed in front of each member of the mess. On this glad Christmas Day, While happy bells are flinging O'er bright lands far away Their burst of joyous singing, We love to think that each sweet lay, That sets those echoes ringing, Hushed music from our icy bay To loving hearts is bringing. Hushed music that shall tell How He has left us never, In whose dear sight we dwell, Who aids our high endeavour; Who, from the hearts that love us well, Our short lives will not sever, For whose good gifts our breasts shall swell With grateful praise for ever! Our drum and fife band, of their own accord, played several airs very creditably during our dinner, which was brought to a conclusion by a few short speeches. In the evening dancing was again kept up with great animation; every one appeared cheerful and happy. In no region of the world could this Christmas-day have been spent with more mirth and more genuine fellowship than it was by the little band of explorers, so far removed from all home ties and associations, who were celebrating it that day, in a latitude farther north than man had ever before penetrated.