HUMORS CONCERNING HALL'S DEATH. 595 



and elevations was bare of snow and ice, excepting patches 

 here and there in the shade of the rocks. The soil during 

 this period was covered with a vegetation of moss, with 

 which several Arctic plants were interspersed, some of 

 them of great beauty, but entirely without fragrance, 

 and many small willows scarcely reaching the dignity of 

 shrubs. 



Even more important perhaps than the actual results 

 of this expedition, are the facts established by his experi- 

 ence (as they will doubtless enable other explorers to pros- 

 ecute the search for the still hidden mysteries of the 

 North Pole and its surroundings), that the Arctic region 

 may be made tolerable and healthful by the use of proper 

 food, that the snow hut of the Esquimaux may be con- 

 verted into a comfortable home ; and when the last barrier 

 shall have been broken down that hides the polar secrets, 

 it will no doubt be admitted that no small share of the 

 honor of the discovery is due to the persistent courage of 

 Charles Francis Hall ; and thus he will be awarded that 

 wreath of enduring fame he so truly earned by his entire 

 self-consecration to the great work. 



It is known to our readers that when the news of Cap- 

 tain Hall's death was first received in this country the 

 grief and consternation in the public mind was intensified 

 by rumors that he had been poisoned. As ill reports, like 

 ill news, travel apace, it was soon in everybody's mouth 

 that malice, engendered by jealousy or by distaste of his 

 rule, had destroyed the daring and enterprising navigator. 

 Secretary Eobeson, with his characteristic promptness, de- 

 termined to sift these vague charges, and fearlessly to 

 bring the foul deed home to its perpetrator, or to prove 

 their falsity and relieve the absent from their taint. He 

 saw that a thorough investigation alone could effect this, 

 and it was due alike to those who, while far away and 

 thus unable to defend themselves, were accused of a terri- 

 ble crime, and to the public sentiment which was fearfully 



