• / INTRODUCTION 



either a North or South Pole, and asserted that within 

 the polar circles the surface of the earth curves gradually 

 inwards, and that on this interior surface dwell nations 

 as on the outer surface.^ • •. 



For these and other reasons the production from time 

 to time of summaries of polar voyages and explorations 

 arejnost valuable, as tending to keep alive in the rising 

 generation that interest in the mysterious and wonderful 

 in nature, as well as in adventurous action, which the 

 Polar World peculiarly presents. 



The most distinctive feature of polar exploration is not 

 generally recognized, that is its entire disinterestedness. 

 From its earlier phases of voyages to foster commercial 

 intercourse, to stimulate and make more profitable trade 

 relations, by bringing China and the Orient in quick com- 

 munication with the marts of Europe, polar explorations 

 have passed to higher planes and are now confined to 

 scientific and geographical researches, offering no im- 

 mediate benefits and free from lure of gain or other 

 aspects of materialism. While with increasing rarity 

 polar work is attended by disastrous losses of life, it has 

 that stimulus to adventurous action, to heroic endurance, 

 and to a spirit of noble endeavor that makes it attractive 

 to hearts and minds which yearn for something beyond 

 the commonplace to stir their pulses. 



Nor have polar discoveries been devoid of practical 

 benefits to the world. Bering's voyage led to the discov- 

 ery of Alaska, which now produces annually more than 

 thirty millions of weath for the United States. Hudson's 

 early Spitzbergen voyages opened up whale fisheries 

 through which the world has profited to the amount of 



