The ensuing Thursday witnessed the last of our "Thursday Pops," and this terminated our season's festivities. At it Captain Nares delivered a very able and instructive lecture on his sledging experiences, bringing a few "facts" home to the men, as to the sort of work they were about to perform, and the kind of life they would have to lead. His announcement that we should, in all probability, spend another winter in the Arctic Regions was hailed with delight. He also announced his intention of returning to England before the third winter, provided no unforeseen event happened to detain the expedition. The following was the programme for the evening's entertainment. THURSDAY POPS. H.M.S. "Alert." [finger symbol] _Positively the last entertainment this winter._ March 2, 1876. The season's festivities will terminate with the following programme:-- 1. The Palæocrystic Sea and Sledging Experiences Capt. Nares. 2. Ballad . . "The _Shannon_ and the _Chesapeake_" Mr. Cane. 3. Song . . "Susan's Sunday out" Mr. Stuckberry. 4. Reading . "Two Bab Ballads" Rev. H. W. Pullen. 5. Ballad. . "Over the Sea" Mr. Maskell. 6. Song . . "Rummy old Codger" Mr. Pearce. 7. Ballad. . "Seeing Nelly home" Mr. Self. 8. Recitation . "On the Arctic Expedition, by J. D." Sergt. Wood. 9. Song . "Billy Woods the grocer" Mr. Gore. 10. Ballad . "Beating of my own heart" Mr. Ayles. 11. Part Song . "O who will o'er the downs so free" Messrs. Aldrich, Pullen, May, and Wootton. To conclude with the grand Palæocrystic Sledging Chorus, by the entire strength of the house. To commence at 7.30 precisely. God save the Queen. Messrs. Giffard and Symons, Printing office, Trap Lane. This chapter would be incomplete without the words of the "Grand Palæocrystic Sledging Chorus." This was also composed by our talented poet laureate, and was most enthusiastically received by the whole ship's company, who vociferously joined in singing it on all appropriate, and other, occasions. It brought in the names of all the sledges that were employed in the early part of the spring campaign, and became henceforth, as it were, the "Arctic National Anthem." CHORUS. Not very long ago, On the six-foot floe Of the palæocrystic sea, Two ships did ride, Mid the crashing of the tide-- The _Alert_ and the _Discovery_. The sun never shone The gallant crews upon For a hundred and forty-two days; But no darkness and no hummocks Their merry hearts could flummox: So they set to work and acted plays. There was music and song To help the hours along, Brought forth from the good ship's store; And each man did his best To amuse and cheer the rest: And "nobody can't do more."