100 Observations on the Arctic Sea and Ice, and 



and then accommodates his means to its imagined peculiari- 

 ties, and provides for every anticipated exigency. But as we 

 are entirely ignorant of the real constitution of those parts 

 immediately surrounding the Pole, the plan chalked out by the 

 most sagacious, may, in very many points, prove inapplicable. 

 So the first adventurer must necessarily be exposed to much 

 peril, from unforeseen difficulties, whilst he paves the way for 

 his successors. 



Though the means adopted by Captain Parry possess many 

 recommendations, yet such might not be impaired by some little 

 modifications. If it is probable that the Pole is perpetually sur- 

 rounded with immoveable ice, the following method seems to 

 possess all the advantages of that which Captain Parry is to 

 put in practice, and may not be entirely worthless, if it is capa- 

 ble of more extensive application. 



Instead of two, let the party be provided with three sledges , 

 convertible into boats, capable of carrying only Jive men each, 

 suitably provisioned ; let these proceed northward from the 

 place of rendezvous on the north of Spitzbergen. On the meri- 

 dian of which it is probable the boundaries of the stationary ice 

 may not be far distant, for the destructive action of the cur- 

 rent, which, in more eastern seas, makes such ample breaches, is 

 here, as in Behring's Straits, of little consequence, as it flows 

 against the frozen barrier, by which the action of those agents, 

 which would otherwise destroy the ice, is restrained. 



Having reached the 84th or 85th degree of northern latitude, 

 if the ice seems old, continuous and stationary, they could cal- 

 culate on its being similar all the way northward. Then with 

 safety one sledge might be left in charge of three men, with suit- 

 able orders for their future guidance. In establishing such a 

 position, land would be of much importance, not only in so far 

 as the comfort of these individuals was concerned, but the dan- 

 ger of any movement in the ice changing their longitude would 

 be avoided, — a difference which, if the party were left on ice 

 not stationary, would require to be rectified by daily observa- 

 tion, lest they being drifted out of the way, should be missed 

 by their associates on their return. Provision should be left suffi- 

 cient for these, and to serve the whole party during their return 

 from that latitude to Spitzbergen. The expedition might then 



