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1860 Dec 22 Saturday

like in Eng. [[strikethrough]] when [[/strikethrough]] opened as readily & carried it as [[underlined]] majestically [[/underlined]] as [[underlined]] "the Queen" [[/underlined]] she once visited.

In various "Igloos" I see Kelp (a kind of sea weed) by the native lamps wh. has been gathered for food.  The natives are all mostly hard - very hard up.  The place this season - the circumstances are against them.  They bear their hard life with out whining or becoming panic stricken - otherwise like philosophers!

While in Ebierbing's to-day was invited to take a smoke with him.  I could not decline, at least I did not.  Asking Tuk-oo-li-too for the to-bacco (Innuit women take charge of all things) she looked over a "little-look-of-things-in-general" & drew forth a piece of fine "Cavendish" & so it looked - but on attempting to cut the same I found it [[underlined]] hard coal! [[/underlined]]  Looking 1st to Ebierbing then to Tuk-oo-li-too I found them laboring like hero & heroine to conquer their incontrolable laughter.  Esquimaux are as ready for joking - for enjoying a good hearty joke as [[strikethrough]] any [[/strikethrough]] White people.  I enjoyed this joke [[strikethrough]] myself [[/strikethrough]] richly though it was at my expense.  This [[strikethrough]] piece of [[/strikethrough]] "diamond" I kept.  I have it now before me - Shall keep for a long time.  Perhaps shall yet sport it in the States, Wi-chou!)

Just at night Capt. B. & I took a walk out on the ice - mid the Rains.  We went about 1/4 of a mile N. West the

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1860 Dec 22 Saturday

edge of the ice.  Thence the clear waters of "Rescue Bay" extended:  Up to the night of the "Swells" no open water was to seen in this direction.  Ice 2 feet thick had formed when now none is

A Storm unknown to us, save by its [[?river]] towards Davis Strait on [[strikethrough]] that [[/strikethrough]] said night of the heaving ice was the means of tearing up miles & miles of ice & carrying it away. [[strikethrough]] A heavy [[/strikethrough]] Heavy swells & wind will do more in breaking up & clearing out ice - than 40 Suns in melting it.

hX (night) Thermometer 33[[degree symbol]] 1/2 plus
Bar. 29.975
Wind from East & raining.
Blowing almost a gale.

To-night been reading our letters received from various friends as I was about leaving the States.  They do my heart good!  May the results of my labors in the North more than cover their anticipations.

To-morrow God's Day - In 2 days then [[underlined]] Christmas [[/underlined]] comes.  What thoughts ought to arise on the mention of these!

Transcription Notes:
Reviewed. Corrected for incorrect insertion designation, irrelevant strikethroughs & other transcription errors. @kdownunder