It is, in fact, very necessary to exercise both the physical and mental powers of the men during the dark months, for when once the ship has been safely established in winter quarters little work remains to be done. The officers are constantly employed in taking and working up observations in various branches of science; but the seaman has little to do but reflect on, and possibly brood over, his situation. It is, therefore, absolutely essential that some means should be devised to drive from him all unpleasant thoughts, and to make him feel that it is in his power to relieve the tedium of what would otherwise be a long and monotonous winter. Each ship had been provided, before leaving England, with a printing-press, and an officer and seaman[1] had been instructed in its use. As soon as it was set up and in working order, the following prospectus was issued by the "firm." "THE ARCTIC PRINTING OFFICE. "Messrs. Giffard and Symons beg to inform the public that they have obtained--at an immense cost and with infinite trouble--possession of the extensive premises, lately occupied by Mr. Clements Markham, situated in Trap Lane, within half a minute's walk of the foremost Quarter Deck Ladder, and easily accessible to all parts of the city. "They have fitted up their new establishment--_regardless of expense_--with all the _latest inventions_ and _newest machinery_, to enable them to carry on the noble art of printing in a style and with a rapidity hitherto quite unattainable. "They therefore expect from the public that support and assistance which it always gives to the _truly deserving_. "Charges moderate. No credit given. All work required to be executed to be paid for in advance. "N.B. Everything undertaken promptly and correctly executed. "H.M.S. 'Alert,' "July 28, 1875." The "cost" and "trouble" alluded to in this production, that were expended in obtaining a convenient place in which to carry out the "noble art of printing," were caused by the fact that our photographers were equally anxious, with our printers, to possess themselves of the small cabin lately occupied by my cousin, and which is so grandiloquently alluded to as "extensive premises." In fact, for some little time it was a very sore and vexed question between those two celebrated and energetic firms. Trap Lane was so called in consequence of the after-hold being immediately outside the door of the cabin; and it occasionally served as a very disagreeable kind of man-trap when, through inadvertence, the hatch had not been replaced. As this part of the ship was, during the early part of her commission, in total darkness, owing to the piles of stores that were stowed in every available corner, it is no wonder that unsuspecting individuals should occasionally have fallen into the trap!