The shores to which Walton refers are those of Siberia and Alaska (also at this point
a Russian dominion) fronting on the Bering Straits. Once again, his innocent choice
of language links his present and past states of enthusiasm (see I:L1:2, I:L2:2) and
prepares us for similar language surrounding Victor Frankenstein's scientific pursuits
(I:2:7, I:3:1).