A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 225 



After the failure of Davis's attempt, all expeditions in 

 search of a north-west passage were for some years sus- 

 pended ; but the public mind in the interval was busily 

 occupied with numerous pamphlets, and other publications, 

 both for and against the possible execution of such a 

 design. 



In 1602, Captain George Weymouth made another effort, 

 but with singular want of success. His attempt was not 

 calculated to support the arguments of those who were in 

 favour of the measure, and it was again abandoned. 



The intrepid, but unfortunate Hudson, next took up the 

 subject, imagining that, by exploring the seas to the north- 

 ward of Spitzbergen, he might have a better chance of 

 success, by saihng towards the North Pole in that di- 

 rection. 



With this view, in l607, he sailed northward, and in 

 latitude 73° 12' he saw the land of Spitzbergen. He there 

 observed the elevation of the sun at midnight to be 10° 40' 

 above the horizon : in this voyage Capt. Hudson penetrated 

 to 82" nearly, and thought to effect his passage to N.W. 

 that way ; but an impenetrable barrier of ice forbade 

 further progress. 



In the year I6O8 he again renewed his efforts in the 

 same sea, where he met with much difficulty from the ice ; 

 he then tried a N.E. passage but without effect. Another 

 endeavour was made by the same persevering individual 



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