98 Rev. W. Scorcsby on Circumstances connected with the 



This would be accomplialied by combiniBg' the two objects of discovery 

 and fishing. 



" Since no one can possibly state [that is, from observation on the con- 

 dition of the ice in any one season] what opportunity may occur on a 

 subsequent occasion for pursuing a voyage of discovery, it would be well 

 to have this reserve for the reduction of the expenditure, in the eveilt of 

 the opportunity for discovery failing. 



" I conceive that an expedition, consisting of two ships, might be fit- 

 ted out, and all expenses defrayed, for the sum of L. 5000 to L. 600a* 

 But in case of any whales being taken — and the fishery might occasionally 

 be prosecuted without [particular] detriment to the other object of the 

 voyage — the expenses would be proportionably reduced, and might, pos- 

 sibly, be altogether defrayed thereby." 



Such are some of the particulars included in my letter to Sir 

 Joseph Banks, — a letter written many weeks before any public 

 intimation was given of the intention of Government to under- 

 take a renewal of the long-abandoned enterprise of Polar re- 

 searches. A reply to this letter was received towards the end of 

 October, franked by Mr Barrow, of which the following is a 

 copy. 



" Dear Sir, Soho Square, Oct 26. 1827- 



" I beg you to accept my best thanks for your very intelligent letter, 

 and for your Treatise on the Northern Ice, which has given me a new 

 and far more precise idea of the circumpolar seas than I had before. 



" You are aware, no doubt, that an act of Parliament (16th Geo, III., 

 c. 6), offers a reward of L. 20,000 for the discovery of a north-west pas- 

 sage, and L. 10,000 for the ship that shall first reach the 89th degree of 

 north latitude. 



" These rewards have not produced a single effort on the part of any 

 whale-fisher to accomplish either of these great purposes ; allow me to 

 ask your opinion whether an act offering a thousand pounds for the reach- 

 ing every degree of latitude from eighty-two to the pole, would be likely 

 to induce the masters of ships to make a trial to reach at least some of 

 the unknown degrees of latitude ? 



****** 



" I am. Sir, your obliged and faithful servant, Jos. Banks." 



About three weeks after the receipt of this letter, a second, of 

 which I also give a copy, came to hand : 



• This off-hand estimate was not meant to include the owners' remunera- 

 tion for the use of their ships, but. the mere outlay for equipment, provisioiw, 

 and wages. 



