midnight
They had , indeed , often heard and read of it before , but their minds had utterly failed to form a correct conception of the exquisite calmness and beauty of the _ midnight-day _ of the north . Every one knows that , in consequence of the axis of the earth not being perpendicular to the plane of its orbit round the sun , the poles are alternately directed more or less _ towards _ that great luminary during one part of the year , and _ away _ from it during another part . So that far north the days during the one season grow longer and longer until at last there is _ one long day _ of many weeks ' duration , in which the sun does not set at all ; and during the other season there is _ one long night _ , in which the sun is never seen . It was approaching the height of the summer season when the _ Dolphin _ entered the Arctic Regions , and , although the sun descended below the horizon for a short time each night , there was scarcely any diminution of the light at all , and , as far as one 's sensations were concerned , there was but one long continuous day , which grew brighter and brighter at midnight as they advanced . `` How thoroughly splendid this is ! '' remarked Tom Singleton to Fred one night , as they sat in their favourite outlook , the main-top , gazing down on the glassy sea , which was covered with snowy icebergs and floes , and bathed in the rays of the sun ; `` and how wonderful to think that the sun will only set for an hour or so , and then get up as splendid as ever ! '' The evening was still as death .