The date is between twenty and thirty years ago.

The place is an English sea-port.

The time is night.

And the business of the moment is--dancing.
The Mayor and Corporation of the town are giving a grand ball, in celebration of the departure of an Arctic expedition from their port.
The ships of the expedition are two in number--the _Wanderer_ and the _Sea-mew_.

They are to sail (in search of the Northwest Passage) on the next day, with the morning tide.
Honor to the Mayor and Corporation! It is a brilliant ball.