20 PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 



rather recommend your endeavouring in this 

 case to start from one or other extremity. But 

 beyond this it can offer no hints. 



" I cannot conclude, however, without ear- 

 nestly recommending to you, in its name and that 

 of all the subscribers to and promoters of your 

 expedition, to be careful not to expose yourself 

 and men to unnecessary hazard. The satisfaction 

 which we all experience in receiving Captain 

 Ross again is very great ; but it will be much 

 impaired by any casualties in your expedition. 

 " I have the honour to be, Sir, 



" Your obedient humble servant, 



" Charles Ogle, Chairman. 



" p. S. — As we are not yet quite certain of 

 obtaining funds for a third year (although rea- 

 sonably confident that his Majesty's Govern- 

 ment will, if necessary, supply them), you will be 

 entirely guided, with regard to it, by further in- 

 structions which will be forwarded to you in the 

 course of next season, and which you will receive 

 on your return to your winter quarters. 



" C. O." 



« 



The instructions alluded to were never sent, 

 and, had they been so, would have been unavail- 

 able. For, first, the difficulties already encoun- 

 tered had by that time proved, that any further 



