Atmospheric phenomena, such as halos and paraselenæ, were by no means uncommon, and occasionally we were astonished by the heavenly bodies behaving, as it appeared to us, in a very eccentric manner. On one occasion the star Aldebaran was reported to be jumping about in a strange way. Such unusual behaviour on the part of a star brought us all up in the cold, and there, sure enough, was Aldebaran doing exactly what was reported, and altogether conducting itself in a very erratic and unstarlike manner. The illusion was caused by the fall of minute, and imperceptible, frozen particles; but it was some time before we could satisfy ourselves that the star was not actually in motion, many of the men remaining to this day unconvinced. One of our Scotch quarter-masters informed me, some time afterwards, that it was a "vara curious star;" and although the laws of refraction were explained to him, he still persisted in his belief that the movement of the star was due to itself, and would not believe in any other explanation. At the beginning of the winter, shortly after the return of the sledge parties, the doctor and myself being busily engaged in the construction of a snow house on shore, observed a most brilliant meteor fall, apparently about a quarter of a mile from us, its course being from S.E. to N.W. It was of a bright emerald-green colour, and was falling so quietly and slowly that we at first thought it was a rocket, or Roman candle, let off by some one astern of the ship, it being distinctly visible for many seconds. When it arrived, in our estimation, at about forty feet from the ground, it suddenly burst, displaying bright red and green colours. It was seen by others, from different points of observation; all being unanimous in their opinion that it was one of the most beautiful sights, of the kind, they had ever witnessed. FOOTNOTE: [1] The word may not be formed on strictly accurate principles, but it is sufficiently expressive of the fact it is intended to represent, and it is now endeared to us by association and by common usage while serving in the far north. CHAPTER XVII. A HAPPY NEW YEAR. The old year dies on southern skies, And leafless woods that moan and quiver; The shadows creep o'er ocean deep, And silent lake and rustling river; And all is gloom around the tomb Of wasted moments, lost for ever. The new year gleams on silver streams, Where meadows smile in sunlit glances; The dark shades flee across the sea, And the wild wavelet laughs and dances; And all is bright where new-born light Brings hope to man and golden chances. O happy year! that tells us here The same sweet, ever-welcome story, That soon, so soon! one radiant noon Shall plunge in light yon summits hoary, That point our way through endless day To joyous triumphs, home, and glory. H. W. PULLEN, H.M.S. "Alert," _January 1st_, 1876.