PKOMOTION OF ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY. 333 



throw in their lot with him. As they could have left him at the Danish 

 settlements, it would appear as if he was a boru leader, and might have 

 become a great man if he had had patience to wait until he had gained 

 experience. However, very little would be done in the world without 

 the enthusiasm of youth. The experience of age can not be combined 

 with it, so that the latter will never have all the say. Yet a good 

 many victims is the result, and in this case that result is much to be 

 deplored." 



When the news brought back by the Aurora reached Sweden there 

 was an idea of a relief expedition. But in the end of 1893 a circu- 

 lar from Mr. Eobert Stein, who is connected with the United States 

 Geological Survey Office at Washington, announced his scheme for 

 exploring the whole i^olar area, and for reaching the pole by a system 

 of gradual approaches. He proposed to establish a station, to serve as 

 a permanent base of operations, at Cape Tennyson, on tiie northern 

 shore of Jones Sound. Elere he intended to place fifteen men always 

 provisioned for two years. Thence he would push forward secondary 

 stations into the unknown area, each with five men. Mr. Stein intended 

 to form the first station in Jones Sonnd, and he also undertook to con- 

 duct a search for the relief of the missing Swedisli explorers. Baron 

 Nordenskiold promised a subscrii)tion of i2,()()() in consequence, and 

 the importance of the Stein expedition was very much enhanced. 

 Funds were, however, much needed. I therefore made an appeal for 

 subscriptions in the Times, on April 7. But immediately afterwards I 

 was amazed to hear tliat Mr. Stein had postponed his expedition for 

 another year. ""' 



I nevertheless opened a ^'Bjorling relief fund," and subscriptions 

 were received at the society's rooms with the object of assisting Baron 

 Nordeuskjold in any measures he might adopt for the relief of his gal- 

 lant young countrymen. At our meeting on April 9 I made an urgent 

 appeal to the fellows for subscriptions. Several came forward, includ- 

 ing many Arctic officers, who are never deaf to such appeals, and I am 

 happy to say that I have been enabled to forward the sum of £84 10s. 

 to Baron Nordenskjold at Stockholm. But the abandonment of his 

 design by Mr. Stein has left but little time for other measures to be 

 matured. Mr. Nilsou has been sent out in the whaler Eclipse from 

 Dundee in the hope of reaching Clarence Head; and Dr. Ohlin, with 

 the same object, has proceeded to St. Johns, Newfoundland, whence he 

 is to go to Baffin Bay in June, on board the Falcon^ the steamer that 

 is to bring back Peary's party. 



These arrangements may suffice if the only object is to ascertain the 

 fate of the lost exj^lorers, but if their relief and rescue are intended, 

 it is necessary to dispatch a special steamer for the purpose. A vessel 

 engaged in other work, such as whale fishing or attendance on the 

 Peary expedition, might be induced to touch at Clarence Head, but she 

 might not be able to reach the shore during the time she could allow 



