Figure of the Earth. 155 



Spitzbergen, its triangular connexion might be established on the 

 surface of the ice, and latitudes yet unattained be included in the 

 operations of the survey ; nor would it be safe to assign too con- 

 fidently the northern limit of such operations even in the absence 

 of land, in our present ignorance of the facilities which the ice it- 

 self may afford for their extension towards the pole. 



" The measurement of a portion of the meridian in the higher 

 latitudes is, however, one of the many experimental inquiries, be- 

 yond the reach of individual means to accomplish, for which the 

 advancement of natural knowledge is delayed ; if its accomplish- 

 ment may be hoped for by that nation which has been most for- 

 ward in exploring the regions of the north, — to whom its climates 

 and its natural difficulties are familiar, — it must still await the 

 existence of a channel in one of the departments of the state, 

 through which the liberal disposition of the British Government 

 to forward every undertaking worthy of a great nation, and by 

 which it may occupy an additional page in history, shall be ren- 

 dered available to other branches of scientific research, than those 

 which are immediately conducive to the interests of navigation. — 

 p. 360 — 364. 



There can be no question that the measurement of an arc of 

 the meridian of Spitzbergen, of sufficient magnitude to render in- 

 consequential the irregularities in the direction of gravitation at 

 its extremities, (and such would be an arc of 4| or 5 degrees,) 

 would be one of the most important, as well as one of the most 

 splendid, of those enterprises for the advancement of general 

 knowledge, which from time to time have received the support of 

 enlightened governments, and have commanded the admiration of 

 all civilized nations. To those persons, to whom the climates of 

 the North, and the difficulties presented by its icy seas and 

 barren shores, are not as familiar as they are to our author, the 

 natural impediments to the accomplishment of such an under- 

 taking, may appear in a more serious light than they are viewed 

 by him, who has had experience of the means by which they may 

 be surmounted, and has himself proved that such extreme situa- 

 tions are not incompatible with the utmost accuracy of experi- 

 ment. But we do not hesitate to say that the attempt, even if it 

 should terminate in demonstrating the impracticability of accom- 

 plishment*, would do honour to the government and the country, 



* We are happy to have it in our power to state, that the proposed mea- 

 surement of an arc at Spitzbergen, was brought under the notice of the Presi- 

 dent and Council of the Royal Society, previously to the last recess; ftnd that 

 the propriety of recommending to the Government an undertaking so import- 

 ant to the advancement of natural knowledge, is now under consideration. — 

 Editor. 



