396 THE PRESENT STANDPOINT OP GEOGRAPHY 



and have been scientitically mapped. As the earth's surface is in con- 

 stant process of change, our work will never be completed, and we must 

 as a race of men labor at it without ceasing. We of this generation 

 have received the torch of geographical knowledge from onr fathers. 

 It is for us to ditt'use its light over a wider and wider circle while we 

 live, and to hand it on, still burning brightly, to our descendants. 



All of us, all the Fellows of this great Society, ought to work in our 

 several lines and capacities, for all can hel}) in the diffusion of the light 

 of knowledge, some in one way, some in another. I have thought, 

 therefore, that we might usefully set apart the opening night of our 

 present session for taking a survey; it must necessarily be a rough and 

 incomplete survey, but still a general sarvey of some of the work that 

 is before us; of the regions that are still unknown and await discov- 

 ery, of the tracts that seem most to need more detailed exploration, 

 and of the principal geographical problems that remain to be solved. 

 We may also glance at the ways in which our society has furnished in 

 the past, and may still more in the future furnish aid toward further- 

 ing and helping in the great work that is always before us. 



The l*olar areas contain by far the most extensive unknown tracts 

 on the globe. Explorers and geographers have been occupied with the 

 Arctic regions for the last three centuries, and more especially during 

 the last century. Their labors have added a very bright page to the 

 story of British maritime achievement. The expeditions have brought 

 back abundant valuable results in all branches of science, and by open- 

 ing the M^ay to lucrative fisheries have increased the wealth of the 

 nation. But their great use has been that to which Lord Beaconstield 

 referreil in 1874, "the importance of encouraging that spirit of enter- 

 prise which has ever distinguished the English people." At i^resent 

 it is our watch below as regards the Arctic regions. We have taken a 

 back seat, from which we look on while others do the work. Mr. Peary, 

 after a very perilous and adventurous reconnaissance last year, is no\y 

 preparing, amidst all the hardships of an Arctic winter, for a supreme 

 effort to solve one of the great remaining geographical problems, the 

 insularity of Greenland. Our gallant friend Nansen is engaged upon a 

 still more heroic enterprise. I believe that the argument on which his 

 proceedings are based is sound. I know that if thorough knowledge, 

 mature reflection, courage of the highest order, indomitable persever- 

 ance, and the faculty for command can secure success Hansen is the 

 man to achieve it. But the natural obstacles are very great, and it 

 may well be beyond human power to overcome them. We can only 

 give these gallant men our warmest sympathy, and resolve that our 

 welcome on their return shall be hearty and cordial. 



But even when the great geograi)hical problems with which Nansen and 

 Peary are now grapi)linghave been fully solved there will still be a vast 

 unknown area within the Arctic Circle and much important work to be 

 done. For several reasons I believe that there is land between Prince 



