1853.] NOT TO BE INTERFERED WITH. 43 



10. In the pursuance of this duty I must urge on you the necessity 

 of system, forethought, and precaution, which although probably un- 

 necessary, is nevertheless one part of my duty. 



11. You will yourself keep a strict daily journal of every occurrence, 

 and cause the same to be done by every officer under your command ; 

 the same to be delivered to me within a reasonable period after your 

 return. 



12. This Expedition is especially, in addition to that of the search 

 after our countrymen, one of science ; and I need not remind you how 

 much its pursuit tends to sharpen the wits, as well as to wile away 

 many hours of otherwise sluggish indolence or sleep, when snow-storms, 

 or low temperatures, may confine you to your tents. 



13. I do not expect from you sledge-loads of fossils, or whole car- 

 cases of mastodon or megatherium ; but sketches, records, etc., will not 

 much encumber your head, and some waistcoat-pocket specimens may 

 serve to determine important desiderata in the field of science. I will 

 not say more : perhaps I have said too much. " A word to the wise 

 is sufficient." 



14. Should you meet with any officer superior to yourself, you will 

 of course show him these instructions ; but he is hereby strictly forbid- 

 den in any way to interfere with your command, route, or proceedings. 



15. On the other hand, should you fall in with any other your in- 

 ferior in rank, you will inform him of your intended route, give him (if 

 sent on the same) a divergent one, as the interest of the service may 

 point out, or instruct him to seek and carry back the despatches, 

 should you already have deposited them.* This last duty you will 

 consider paramount to any other route, of which you will then be the 

 best judge. 



16. It is needless for me to exhort you or Lieutenant Osborn to do 

 anything but return securely, and without allowing your own high feel- 

 ing to be the standard by which those who labour under you are to be 

 urged forward. It is the retrograde movement which tells on the minds 

 and feelings of all. 



17. Trusting to your judgment, and to Him who watcheth over all, 

 and with our sincere prayers for success and safety, I send you forth 



on your noble mission, and 



Believe me, etc., 



EDWARD BELCHEK. 



It is curious that even this should have so unmistakably occurred. 



