A still lower temperature modifies, and perhaps improves,
the annoyance by converting it into ice, which again an occasional
increase of warmth dissolves into water. Nor is this the amount of the
evil, though it is the only visible part of it; for not only is a moist
atmosphere thus incessantly kept up, but it is rendered stagnant also by
the want of that ventilation which warmth alone can furnish. With an
apartment in this state, the men's clothes and bedding are continually
in a moist and unwholesome condition, generating a deleterious air,
which there is no circulation to carry off; and, whenever these
circumstances combine for any length of time together, so surely may the
scurvy, to say nothing of other diseases, be confidently expected to
exhibit itself.
Every attention was, as usual, paid to the occupation and diversion of
the men's minds, as well as to the regularity of their bodily exercise.
Our former amusements being almost worn threadbare, it required some
ingenuity to devise any plan that should possess the charm of novelty to
recommend it. This purpose was completely answered by a proposal of
Captain Hoppner, to attempt a _masquerade_, in which officers and men
should alike take a part, but which, without imposing any restraint
whatever, would leave every one to his own choice whether to join in
this diversion or not.
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