510 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. XIV. 



such as is given to the skipper of a trading vessel ; 

 or to inquire into the motives that could actuate 

 a wealthy spirit-distiller to supply 17,000/. for the 

 outfit of the said vessel. It may perhaps, at first, 

 have worn the appearance, from the profound secresy 

 with which it was desired by the contributor to be 

 conducted, of having originated in the prospect of 

 being a promising speculation ; and so indeed it 

 turned out, notwithstanding the most discouraging 

 outset, and the distressing circumstances that at- 

 tended the execution, of the voyage ; for it was en- 

 tirely owing to the latter that the projector of it 

 received a grant of money beyond his outlay, and the 

 proprietor, if he may be so called, received for the 

 money he advanced the grant of a distinguished ho- 

 nour : thus it is to be hoped, that the expectations of 

 both have been satisfied ; nor will they be considered 

 by any one as misplaced — the one being a remunera- 

 tion for his long sufferings and anxieties, the other 

 for his disinterested and munificent generosity. 



The history of the undertaking is a short one, 

 and told by the parties themselves to the Com- 

 mittee moved for by Mr. Cutler Fergusson, a 

 Scotch Member of Parliament ; the object being to 

 obtain for Captain Ross a sum of 5000/. as a com- 

 pensation for the expenses incurred by him, 

 amounting to between 2000/. and 3000/., and in 

 consideration, it may be supposed, of his sufferings — 

 a sum which would at once have been awarded 



