Chapter 1
‘Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man.’ 2
Robert Walton tells his sister he will be away for a long time, but if he fails, he will either be back in England soon or he will never return. First to explore the Arctic was Giovanni Cabotto (known as John Cabot) who sailed from Bristol in 1497. In the late 1780s, the British started hunting whales in large numbers – for whale oil (taken from the heads of some whales), to light homes and streets, and to clean sheep’s wool before it was made into clothes.
16
Letter 1 To Mrs Saville, England St Petersburgh*, December 11th, 17– I am already far north of London, and as I walk in the streets of Petersburgh*, I feel a cold northern breeze on my cheeks, which fills me with delight. Do you understand this feeling? This breeze gives me a taste of the icy North Pole* where I am going. I am so curious to see a part of the world never before visited, and walk in a land where no man has set foot. Six years have passed since I decided to go on this adventure. At that time, I went with the whale-fishers to the North Sea, I experienced cold and lack of food, I worked hard, all to get ready for this. I do not sail until June; and when shall I return? Ah, dear sister, how can I answer this question? If I succeed, many months, perhaps years, will pass before we meet. If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never. Your affectionate* brother, R. Walton
Petersburgh (St Petersburg) Russian port town on the Baltic Sea North Pole most northern part of our planet affectionate full of love and warmth
