MS 248/364/11
[1839 Sep 14]
Septr 14th HMS Terror
Gillingham
My Dear Ross
I think I mentioned you
having written to my affe friends again
about my expenses to Dublin, this day
I recieved [sic] the enclosed with accompanying
envelope_ Showing the Commodore does
not choose to forward my application_
In that case what is to be done? between
you and I, I care nothing about the matter,
but is it not hard if we write a letter
thro' our commodore, it will not be forwarded
if we do not write thro' him we get a rap
over the nuckles [sic]. Sad day this_ Got all our
traps I think now on board obsery &c full
as an egg I wish you were down and we
off clear of old Commodores and Dock
Yard nonsense_ Yours truly Ever
FRM Crozier
P.S. I beg my enclosing this to you will not
for one moment interfere with other arrangements
or feelings as I assure I am only annoyed at the
absurdity of official ///// Ever yours FRMC
MS 248/364/21
[1844 Dec 30]
December 30th 1844
My dear James
I have this |instant| received yours of 19th
and call at Reading Room to answer it
as I find it has been laying [sic] in the office
some days_ I hesitate not a moment to
go Second to Sir John Franklin_ pray tell him
so_ if too late I cannot help it_ of course
I am too late to Volunteer to command
but in truth I sincerely feel I am not
equal to the leardership [sic]_ I would not on
any terms go Second to any else Captain
Parry or yourself excepted_ Act for me my
dear friend in this as you see fit and I
will carry it out in every particular_ I will
write you by tomorrows post more fully but
to the same purpose_ Kindest love to dear
“Thot” Ever yours
FRM Crozier
Direct to me_
Casa Del Bello
F
Via della Fornace
Florence
MS 248/364/22
[1844 Dec 31]
Casa del Bello
Via della Fornace
Florence
December 31st 1844
My dear James
Many thanks for yours of 19th
which I in a very hurried manner answered on a
scrap of Paper I begged at the News Room_ As it
may not have reached you, I will repeat the substance
of my reply which I trust is at all events as de–
cided as you could wish_ I was so run for time that
I had to take a coach to save the post, which must
plead my excuse for the extraordinary production_
If not too late I am quite ready to go second to our
kind friend Sir John_ with none else save and except
yourself and Captain Parry would I go_ I am in truth
still of opinion as to my own unfitness to lead, you
on that subject as well as all others know my whole
mind_ Whatever you arrange for me, I will hasten on
hearing from you, to carry out to the fullest of my
ability_ Now my dear James I leave all with you, and
have only to say that whatever you settle I will be
quite content with_ I am delighted to hear of dear kind
Thot such good accounts as well as of Master James
If I hear from you that Sir John would accept of my
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
Services I would start from hence immediately for London
if not I purpose accompanying my friends from hence
to Rome and Naples. till I hear from you I will not
leave my present abode_ Your letter was ten days coming
I therefore cannot expect an answer from you before
19 or 20th of January so that I could not be in London
before February, but as ships would not sail before May
there would be plenty of time_ I had not the least idea
there would have been another knowing you had declined_
Several people here having been asking me about Back
and I am sorry to say from what an old gentleman said
of him last evening he has not left a very favourable
impression behind him_ Talking I apprehend very absurdly
of ladies here who shewed him much attention, the old
fellow
said it was he was a very pleasant fellow, but if
he was in love with himself he had no right to suppose
every lady he met was the same. There is a great deal of
Society here (English) both gay and otherwise, but as my
friends with whom I am staying are very quiet people
we do not belong to the gay world, which certainly pleases
me much_ There is much to be seen of painting and
sculpture which we take very quietly going each day
for some hours to one or other of the galleries which are
open to the public_ Many things have indeed much delighted
me, more than I imagined such things would, but then
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
being with dear friends to whom I am much attached adds
to the pleasure_ I am sorry to hear the Book is such a
trouble to you_ What of Wilkes, is he out yet? The weather
in the South of France after I wrote you was very cold indeed
I positively was nearly frozen to death in the Diligence not
having with me any warm clothing and generally being
alone and going so slow_ France is a horrid country but
full of fight_ They were going to eat me at Toulouse
for walking over the battle ground_ The Guide although paid
could not or would not tell the name of a single place
We had however with us Allisons account of the Battle, I
met there a Welsh acquaintance of Col: Sabine a
Mr Thomas a neighbour of Lord Adare_ I know not whether
to be glad or sorry I am from England at this time, but I a[m]
induced to think I am as well here, knowing that you
my dear friend will act for me_ I shall be anxious to
hear how things are arranged_ There is one thing I would
reec recommend whoever goes that is to have if possible
a captain of a whaler as acting Master and two acting
2d Masters as before, it would get rid of our annoyance on
returning and there is a presedent [sic] for it_ Poor Humphreys
would I dare say be glad_ What think you of that? Give my
love to dear “Thot” and tell her I am not so unreasonable
as to expect to hear from herself, but let me return to England
when I may, I will not be long then before I see her &
the dear little stranger James Coulman. To you and dear
Thot
I wish you many very many returns of this joyous
Season and believe me my dear James your ever
attached and obliged friend
FRM Crozier
MS 248/364/23
[1845 Jan 23]
Casa del Bello
Via della Fornace Florence
January 23d 1845
My dear James Yours of 10th only reached me
yesterday (too late for Post) Several Mails were due from
inundations I believe in Northern Italy_ Thank you
much and dear “thot” for your kind wishes to have
me with you, I have however resolved to remain here
the result of NW Exp.n we had planned a party to
visit Rome Naples & Venice which is for the
present abandoned, but should I not be required
however it will go on so soon as I learn from you
what the arrangements are_ I can easily fancy that
Barrow will not be |so| strenuous an advocate since he
learned your determination to decline the command,
indeed it would not surprize me if it was even
yet given up_ they must however soon resolve as
time is drawing on_ I feel quite satisfied in my own
mind that I was right in volunteering to go second to
Sir John and also in not volunteering as a leader, come
of it what may I am resolved to be content, indeed if
I
had not been staying with staying with such kind
and dear friends I would in probability have been now
on my homeward passage, now however I think I will
make up my year and return by Switzerland & the Rhine.
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
There is much to be seen in this city and indeed I like
much what I have seen_ Several naval people here I do
not see much of them, my friends being rather of the
quiet order_ Smith of China I meet frequently, he is a
kind fellow and so is his wife_ There is a great deal of society
here amongst the English, it is of two kinds the serious
and the gay_ The Grand Duke is attentive to those who
attend his Levees & Balls, for my part I do not belong
to that gang although Mrs Smith wishes to Matronize
me_ Oh but James dear were you not distressed to see the
death of our poor friend Richards, I cannot tell you how
much it shocked me, he was one amongst ourselves as
it were, true it is that many of our old shipmates &
messmates have been called away, but then who amongst
the number looked more like a long liver than poor Richards
his poor widow I grieve for her, had I known he had been
ill I certainly would not have left England without
seeing him, but from some cause or other I fancied he was
abroad and frequently enquired about him amongst the
English families I fell in with_ 'Tis James dear a lead
we must all travel sooner or later and to be ready is
or ought to be the chief buisiness [sic] of our pilgrimage here
below_ I wrote old Bird some time ago but have not heard
of him, I was glad to hear that your Sister and George were
to be with you pray remember me kindly to them, I hope
you have seen Sir William Parker since his return, they are
keeping him going I am glad of it as he is sure to have
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
the vessels under his command in good working order Lord Geo:
Paulet I see is coming home with a freight just what he will
like_ I see by Athenæum that some Vols: of Wilkes have made
their appearance_ I would be glad to see it but I fear it will
be beyond my price_ The librarian to the Grand Duke of Tuskany [sic]
has given me the reports of the Geographical Society of Italy
during our absence wherein he has made handsome mention
of our discoveries in contradistinction to Wilkes, he seems a
fine old fellow a Swede by birth_ Speaks English well
Thanks many my dear “Thot” for sending the things for
the Belfast Bazaar, had I been near I would have had them
myself, however I have no doubt they sold readily, my old sisters
could not make out about them, they however fortunately
sent them to the right place. I have been getting an alabaster
head don[e] of myself, here it is considered like 'tis however
I would say much too young looking, although he has not
given me one hair more on my head than I have in reality
'tis very small but being so pure a white it makes a
nice little toy, therefore will do just as well as if it was a
good likeness_ Well my dear friends if I have not tired you
I have at least [sic] come to an end of my yarn. I shall be
anxiously looking for your next as on that my future
proceedings will depend_ If to go home I will loose [sic] no
time in reaching London via France_ From the ship I will loose [sic]
no time in going to Blackheath. I have not written a word to
the auld Sisters about this buisiness [sic] as I thought there was
no use in bothering them about a thing that may never
take place. Well god love you both or as I might now
say in the language of my own country “all three both together”
little Sir James making the third_ and believe me ever yours
Sincerely FRM Crozier
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
P.S
Your last was 12 days coming & we have here
usually the London papers in 9 days_ that is from
Saturday |Evg| to Monday week in morning.
FRMC
MS 248/364/24
[1845 Feb 15]
February 15th 1845
Florence
My dear James
Many thanks for yours
of 6th which has just reached me, I
had in truth began [sic] to think your letter
had gone astray_ I am all ready should
I be required_ I will write a line to my
agent to pay to pay |£ 5––| to the Barrow plate
Would you be kind enough to mention to
Sir John F_ the name of a Lieut:
Reginald Levinge (son of Sir Richard
Levinge who lives in my brothers Parish
in Ireland_) a Volunteer for the NW
Ex.n My brother tells me he is a very
fine young man. I know not his
Standing_ he is however a Gentleman
his family being amongst the oldest
in the County Meath_ The weather
here is most desparately [sic] cold nothing
but snow_ I will write you fully
when I again hear from you which I
hope may be soon and decided. I must
come to a finish to save this days
post Kindest regards to dear “Thot”
& believe me ever yours FRM Crozier
MS 248/364/25
[1845 Feb 18]
Florence February 18th 1845
My dear James
Yours of 18th [sic] reached me this morning
for which a thousand thanks for all the trouble you have
had on my account_ I find I cannot leave Leghorn by Steam
for Marseilles |for some days| therefore have determined to await you next at
this place, which I hope will give me Lord H_ final decision.
I was induced to start on the moment till I found 3 days
must elapse waiting for Steamer_ In the meantime I will
have my passport and all things in readiness and so loose [sic]
not a moment should I be required_ It has kept me in
a sad state of anxiety here, my kind friends will be glad
to get rid of me as I have upset all their plans, and I
could not even write the auld Sisters as I did not wish to
mention the thing till was settled one way or other. The
truth is I am of opinion Sir George C_ will not approve of
two captains being employed on that service expense &c
Blame me not my dear James for not going immediately
but the truth is when there is a doubt in the case, I would
not like to leave Italy without seeing Rome & Naples, in
company with my kind friends_ I hope you received my last
mentioning Mr. Levinge (Lieut:) he is a gentleman therefore
would be an acquisition to Sir John_ God bless you and
dear “Thot” not forgetting the little stranger and believe
Me ever yours
FRM Crozier
MS 1372/2
[1845 Feb 19]
Florence February 19th 1845
My dear Small I have been many times going
to write you but the truth is I knew not for the last
two months what my movements were likely to be as if
a N.W. Expedition went out it was not my place to
be one of the party to be left at home_ The thing has
been now decided and I this day heard from my old &
kind friend Sir John Franklin that Lord Haddington
had told him I am to be his second, and command “Terror.”
Now Small of course you and my dear Sister will
congratulate me on my appointment well Knowing
that idleness on shore would not suit me_ I did not
wish to write you on the subject so long as there
was a doubt of my going well knowing what
your kindly feelings are, but I assure you I
often felt I ought to give you a line but then
I could not sit down and write when I would
not, and indeed could not write fully and freely_
Of course you are aware 'tis a service more congenial
to my feelings than any other and we all know
that the same God rules in all places, whether
on sea or on shore he is ever with us_ I leave
our dear friends here tomorrow, Henry accompanys [sic]
me
to Leghorn which which will be a great
pleasure reducing a long trip just so much.
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
Now Small you must send me to London
directed
to the Shop Hills Hotel Charing
Cross
my tin case with my Uniform (it is in a Hand kerchief [sic]
in one of my drawers) my Epaulet case and belts
(Sword) as well as any Uniform coats and waistcoats
in short any blue clothing that you can put
into the case_ Cap etc. You will also my dear
Small muster all my traps_ Such as Shirts
Stockings Flannels etc. not forgetting gloves or
any little warm clothing I may have_ I will
write you from London so soon as I arrive
and I hope be able to say at what time
I will be with you_ Do however have all my
traps repaired that you may think will be of
Service to me. Will you write the Parson that I
received his Communication about Mr. Levinge
and wrote Captain Ross on the subject, but
I fear too late to |be| of Service if he Mr. L. had
|not| written himself to the admiralty_ I wrote also
to
Sir Sir John Franklin but do tell him that
his letter reached me not for one fortnight after
its date_ therefore my application must
have been nearly the same time going [home]
which makes me fear that the vacancy may
be filled up_ I would be only to happy to have
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
had him with me in Terror_ the day I arrive in London
I will send you a paper and will not possibly write till
I see my way clear_ This business has disarranged
all our plans here each day have I been kept in
a state of Anxiety, so long have they at admiralty
been in coming to a decision and till the very
last it was not decided whether a Captain was to
go as Second_ Of course you and my dear
Sister will agree with me that Employment
I must have and where is this any more
Honorable as under such a man as Sir John
Franklin and on such an Expedition_
You will have the tin case with my traps
booked by Mail steam boat for Liverpool
and
on to London by Mo Railroad and
at the Same time write a line by post to
Mr. Hill to keep it till my arrival. You can
give me a line at same time_ You cannot
conceive how much I abhor the idea of starting
off to travel post haste so many miles land
travelling_ however Small we that belong to
the public must be at all calls_ had I only
time to go by Sea all the way I would enjoy
it amazingly_ God love you both and believe
me my dear Sister yours Ever
FRM Crozier
Lot 227, RR Auction
[1845 Mar 10]
HMS Terror Woolwich
March 10th 1845
Dear Sir
Thanks many for your
kind congratulations as well as
for your Gazettes_ When either buisiness [sic]
or pleasure leads you to the
neighbourhood of Woolwich I will
be glad to see you in Terror, perhaps
I should say on board Terror, be
that as it may many thanks
for your communication and
believe me faithfully in
haste
FRM Crozier
Armstrong Browning Library
[1845 Mar 28]
HMS Terror Woolwich
March 28th
My dear Sir Thomas
Thanks for yours of 26th
which I received this day on
my return from Ireland.
I was before perfectly
satisfied, and believe me
my confidence has not
been in the least shaken
by Commander Beadons
test, and very strange [...]
[...] write him so soon as I
get a little of my bustle
over.
Believe me my dear Sir
Thomas in much haste yours
most faithfully
FRM Crozier
Wamsley collection
[1845 Apr 8?]
1 George Street
Woolwich Tuesday Morn
My dear Sir John
The post only allows me time to write you a line to say you are not required here this day (Tuesday) all is going on well indeed more swimmingly than I could have dared to hope
I will send you some letters by the next post also the weight of articles for Transport that you can look over at your leizure. It would be well to be early on the morrow as I think it will be requisite for you to see Sir John Hill on your return to Town.
Post about starting yours in
much haste FRM Crozier
P3404
[1845 May 17]
Terror May 17th 1845
My dear Charles
I have been intending to write
you but the truth is I have been in
such a bustle I scarcely have known
which way to turn_ In the first place
I wished to thank you for the trouble
you have had on my account with
my little affairs_ I forget all about
them now but as I talked all over
with Small she will tell you how I
stand &c I would be glad if you give
poor Mrs Crozier so long as god spares
her some thing say 5 Shillings a Quarter
or more if you see right_ Mary Little I
would like you to do something for as
you may see right. Remember me
most kindly to Ma[c.?] & Mrs and tell
her with my best regards that I really
think I will be able to send her the
paper on my immediate return as the
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
trip has rather brought things to
a crisis_ I have often regretted I
had not had a few days to run
down amongst you, but these
things always come upon one after
the opportunity has passed. Bird
has been with me pretty much
and
I have been within h an
hours walk to Ross’s during
my stay at Woolwich_ I am
now however all alone on board
Terror hoping to sail on the
morrow_ With kind rems to
the boys and Jenny believe
me sincerely yours
FRM Crozier
MS 1372/3
[1845 May 29]
Terror May 29th 1845
My dear Small,
I find a boat coming along
side (off Aberdeen) we are only this far
from a long continuance of Adverse
winds_ All getting on otherwise as I
could wish_ We have still time
enough before us, but it was the chance
of contrary winds that made me so
anxious to be off_ I was sadly vexed
to sail without hearing again from
you or our dear friends at Fortfield
but I must hope all things_ Poor Lady
Franklin was in a sad state before
we left_ I was obliged to row her_
She tells me if anything should take
her to Dublin before we return she
will certainly make you out_ You wd
like her much she is so full of
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
kindness_ I will write from
Stromness (Orkneys) when we
shall land our Pilot
God love you all and
Believe me ever yours
FRM Crozier
P.S. Our progress has been_ so
slow I could not bear to sit
down to write
FRMC
MS 1372/4
[1845 Jun 3]
June 3d 1845
My dear Small,
Once more are we in
the broad Atlantic with a favourable
breeze for Davis Straits_ I wrote you
a few hurried lines from Scotch coast
to say how slowly we had been
getting on_ Now all is prosperous
therefore all in high spirits. Well
my dear Sisters I am happy to say
I am most comfortably fixed with
my old Servant_ the one I had I
found was too smart for me, indeed
I am delighted I got rid of him
as I am induced to think he would
have been a troublesome 'fellow' if
not a great rogue_ The one I have
knows me and that is a great matter
on a voyage of this kind_ We have
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
been two days at the Orkneys where
I encreased [sic] my pets by one pig and
12 Fowls_ Eggs out of number at 2d
per dozen_ You will be glad to know
that I like the officers very much.
The first Lieut: is really a very
superior fellow_ and the Doctor our
only married man again a very nice
proper man although perhaps we
shall never be aaa the same intimate
friends as I was with Robertson
still I would not wish a better_
Small would you believe it I could
have got plenty of Whiskey at
Stromness very cheap but would
not as I find myself so much
more comfortable with a little wine
that I mean to go on as I have
Commenced_ I have been eating a
Fortfield ham and it is most de–
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
licious do tell dear Jane so, how
I would have liked to have heard from
them once more_ however it was
arranged otherwise therefore I must
be content_ Kind Lady Franklin
gave me such a splendid Scotch
muffling shawl or Plaid, she is a
dear good woman – Sir John amused
some of us the other day in reading
from her note her love to Captain
Crozier and kind rems to the rest
of the Officers_ I regret to find from
Sabines note that dear Lady Ross
has been poorly and that he is rather
uneasy about her_ When I last
saw him he was not uneasy but
I was as I did not like her ap–
pearance I had a kind affectionate
note from her before I left Small I
must say adieu_ I will write by
Transport she will be home some
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
time early in August_ With
kind love to all not forgetting
Sally & Sarah believe me ever
My dear Sisters yours
FRM Crozier
N.A.
[1845 Jul]
All is getting on as well as I could wish. Officers full of youth and zeal, and, indeed, everything going on most smoothly. The Admiralty were exceedingly kind to us, all our demands were readily granted; if we can only do something worthy of the country which has so munificently fitted us out, I will only be too happy; it will be an ample reward for all my anxieties and, believe me, Henry, there will be no lack of them.
AGC/C/5/1-3
[1845 Jul 4]
Whale Fish Islands
July 4th 1845
My dear Jack
I do sincerely hope this
will find recovered from the effects of
your most unfortunate accident often
indeed have I thought of it since
knowing that it was your kindness
in executing my commissions led
you into such a trap_ There is no
excuse for them at the ship, in short
I have no patience with such carelessness.
Well old boy we were a long time getting
clear of the coast of England & Orkneys
our passage across was very boisterous
however we are safely moored here &
busy clearing the Transport_ How full
we shall be but I am still in hopes we
shall be able to stuff into her three
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
years provisions from the present
time_ Our steering is decidedly improved
by the alterations on the counter we now
sail much more evenly with Erebus
which is advantageous to us in many
ways_ Bergs are numerous this year
but we did not stand far enough to
the west to make the packed Ice
on our passage up Davis Straits_
We were two days at Stromness
Steamers towed us about 50 miles
to Westd of Land_ Ratler [sic] towed the
two Vessels at about 5 miles an
hour_ not bad I think_ I would
rather be on a Sailing Vessel I
mean as a Command_ Well Jack
I wonder when we shall again
meet_ Some years no doubt_ this
Season will have a good deal to
do with our future operations if
we can only make a good
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
hit at the first, it will be
most glorious_ All going on as
well as I could wish, every one has
fallen very speedily into their places
and things are progressing quietly_
My time I find is fully occupied
with observations of various kinds
which I have not as yet instructed
our Youths in although they are
full of zeal and anxiety to do well
Living alone is the great drawback to
me, but I know well it cannot be
otherwise. I belong to the gregarious
tribe of animals I believe but I do
not pine much when alone. My Tea
and Sugar has not yet turned up the
latter is to me a great loss_ however that
will be a triffle [sic] if we only make a
good seasons work of it_ I am sending
three men home in Transport reducing
our compliment [sic] to 62 from 68 which
we know is quite enough too many
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
I would say still_ In Fury if you
recollect we had only 58 |or 60| but now
we have more officers which would
make us about the same number of
working men_ If you see anything in
newspapers about us send one old
boy to my Sisters 2 Sandford Place
Dublin_ I mean if it is so that it
would give them a favourable im–
–pression as to our movements_
I intend writing a line to old
Bird before we leave_ God bless
you old Boy and that you may
not have any bad effects from
your unfortunate accident is the
prayer of your sincere friend
FRM Crozier
MS 248/364/26
[1845 Jul 9]
they directed my things to Captn Fitzjames Terror
but by some strange accident they discovered my
name sufficiently accurate to send me the Bill & I was
fool enough to pay it from their declaring that the things
were absolutely delivered on board
growling again No_
FRMC
Whale fish I_ July 9_
1845.
My dear James
I cannot allow Transport to
leave without writing you a line, altho'
I have little to say and our many detentions
keep me in anything but a fit mood for
letter writing_ We got here on morning of the
4th and have been busily employed ever since
clearing and stowing away from Transport
'Tis very tedious work from the small space
we have to stow things_ We have now a mean
draught of 16 feet and all our provisions not
yet on board_ I send home our largest Cutter,
(and fill launch with patent fuel_) 2 anchors &
cables_ Iron Waist Davits and various other
things of weight as I think it better to have
the provision come what may afterwards.
How I do miss you_ I cannot bear going on
board Erebus_ Sir John is very kind & would
have me there dinning [sic] every day if I would
go_ he has Fitzjames and 2 officers every
day. ////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////
All things are going on well and quietly
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
but we are I fear sadly late_ From what
we can learn the winter here has been very
severe with much Easterly wind, there was
however an early break up of the Ice
and the last accounts of Whalers is that
Fish were plenty and Ships as high as
the Women Isles (73°) What I fear is that
from our being so late we shall have no
time to look round and judge for our
selves, but blunder into the Ice and make
a second 1824 of it_ James I wish you
were here, I would then have no doubt
as to our pursuing the proper course_
I must have done with this croaking
I am not growling mind – indeed I never
was less disposed to do so_ I am I assure
you beginning to be a bit of a philosopher
and hope before the season is over to having
so tutored myself that I will fret for nothing.
I have started the Serg.t for specimens, he
has however made a bad beginning having
fallen and broken the Stock of my Gun.
Sea weed very scarce and plants I have not
often get [sic] as my time has been a good
deal occupied with dips &c I have sent
Col: Sabine an abstract for so far_ Our
passage across was very unfavourable for
––– ––– ––– ––– ––– –––
observing such constant heavy Sea and a
great deal of wet_ Very many days I cd
not manage Azimuths, the cards are very
heavy and once set in motion no getting
them to rest and the unsteady motion of
ship made arc of Vibration very irregular.
I often wished for my own old one as I
am sure I could have managed better.
The new compasses are in smooth Water
perfect I believe but in a heavy irregular
Sea I cannot say much for them. I did not
try the head for checking the Vibrations, as
I found them so irregular I did not want
to bother with them as we were so soon
to be in smooth water where I knew they
would be more valuable_ Why I should
have gone so far and not said one word
about dear “thot” who from my heart I
do hope has benefited by change of Air
and getting away from comfortless Black
=heath_ I would |like| to have seen your place
that I might often picture to myself
your little employments_ With Gods blessing
my Lady I will not fail on my return
to soon find my way down to see you
to be condoled with peradventure, if on
the other hand to rejoice with you at
all events one thing is certain, meet
when we may it will be to me a source
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of heartfelt pleasure. I hope the little
son is going on well, the mild weather
of the interior must be to him beneficial
That Bleakheath [sic] was a scorching place.
Goodsir in Erebus is a most diligent fellow
a perfect enthusiast in Mollusca, he seems
much in his habits like Hooker never idle
making perfect scetches [sic] of all he collects
very quickly and in the most extraordinarly [sic]
rough way_ he has the happy Knack of
engaging every one around him in the
same pursuit_ he certainly is |a| great ac–
=quisition_ I find Irving (3d Lieut:) will do
all the chart work that I want quite
well enough_ he is a diligent hard
working fellow_ All goes on smoothly
but James dear I am sadly alone, not
a soul have I in either ship that I can
go and talk to. “No congenial Spirit as it
were” I am generally busy but it is after
all a very hermitlike life_ Except to
kick up a row with the helmsman or
abuse Jobson [sic] at times I would scarcely
ever hear the sound of my own voice.
The Transport is nearly clear and my Sugar
and Tea have not made their appearance
The Sugar is a great loss to me but the Tea
I care not for_ I cannot at all events say
much for Fortnum & Masons punctuality.
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“Thot” I will not forget about the sketch
from what I have seen we appear to have
a number who draw prettily particularly
in Erebus_ I will take care it shall not
be a steam view_ how I do wish the
Engine was again on the Dover line, &
the Engineer sitting on the top of it, he
is dead and alive wretch full of difficulties
and is now quite dissatisfied because he
has not the leading Stoker to assist him
in doing nothing as on board Erebus_
I have been obliged to send home our
Armourer & Sailmaker being perfectly
useless either at their trade or anything
else also 2 men invalided which re–
–duces our complement 62 from 68 of
course making that saving in provisions
and leaving us still a larger compt
than Hecla & Fury_ I am attending to
Baro: obsns carefully and get the dew
point of Cabin once a day regularly
and purpose during the winter months
to have it more frequently_ Baro: in
Erebus a poor thing by Pastorelli only
reads
off to thousandths |100|_ 'Tis just as well
so as they appear to be strongly tinctured
with all the Sabineite notions_
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Well my dear friends I know |not| what
else I can say to you_ I feel that I
am not in spirits for writing but
in truth I am sadly lonely & when
I look back to the last voyage I can
see the cause and therefore no pro–
–[s]pect of having a more joyous feeling
The bustle of the Season will however be
life to me and come what may I will
endeavour to sit down at the end of it
content_ I find by the instructions that
Fitzjames is appointed to superintend
the Mag: observations I will therefore
take just so much bother there as may
amuse, without considering myself as
one of the Staff God bless you both not
forgetting the Son and believe me ever
most sincerely
FRM Crozier