Welcome home to the wished-for rest, Travellers to north and travellers to west! Welcome back from bristling floe, Frowning cliff and quaking snow! Nobly, bravely the work was done; Inch by inch was the hard fight won. Now the toilsome march is o'er, Welcome home to our tranquil shore. Rough and rude is the feast we bring; Rougher and ruder the verse we sing. Not rough, not rude are the thoughts that rise To choke our voices and dim our eyes, As we call to mind that joyous sight On an April morning cold and bright, When a chosen band stepped boldly forth To the unknown west and the unknown north; And we from our haven could only pray-- "God send them strength for each weary day!" He heard our prayer; He made them strong; He bore their stalwart limbs along; Planted their sturdy footsteps sure; Gave them courage to endure. Taught them, too, for His dear sake, Many a sacrifice to make: By many a tender woman's deed To aid a brother in his need. And safe for ever shall He keep In His gentle hand the two who sleep. His love shall quench the tears that flow For the buried dear ones under the snow. And we who live and are strong to do, His love shall keep us safely too: Shall tend our sick, and soothe their pain, And bring them back to health again. And the breath of His wind shall set us free, Through the opening ice to the soft green sea. Captain Nares had hinted that, in the present condition of the men, and supposing also that those of the "Discovery" were in the same state, he would not be justified in allowing even one ship to remain another year exposed to the rigours of an Arctic winter and to the same causes that had led to the recent outbreak of scurvy. We were prepared for this announcement; for we well knew that to remain out a second winter, although there were many of us ready and eager to do so, would simply be to sacrifice many valuable lives for no object; for we could not possibly expect to reach a higher northern latitude, or even to extend our explorations much farther to the westward, although the whole force of the expedition should be confined to the one direction. In deciding to return to England, Captain Nares showed great moral courage, and exercised a sound and wise judgment, in the opinion of all his officers. On the Sunday following the return of Aldrich's party, a special thanksgiving was offered up to Almighty God for our safe return, and prayers were also said for the speedy recovery of our sick comrades. On the 1st of July, on the usual monthly medical examination being held, only ten men out of our fine ship's company were reported in a fit state for work, and some of these were convalescents! The invalids, however, thanks to the doctor's assiduous care, were improving slowly but surely.