302 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Sept. 



share in this development Sir Leopold speaks most modestly, 

 but a comparison of the periods of absence and the distances 

 covered by the parties of the 1853 expedition with similar 

 records in 1849 are sufficient to show how great it was, more 

 especially when it is known that it was he himself who conducted 

 the longest journey of the later expedition. 



To realise the great revolution which had been effected in 

 Arctic exploration, it has but to be considered that in 1820 the 

 fact of an explorer venturing beyond his ice-bound ship had 

 barely been considered, whereas little more than thirty years 

 later it could be written of these far Northern regions : ' It is 

 now a comparatively easy matter to start with six or eight men 

 and six or seven weeks' provisions, and to travel some 600 

 miles across snowy wastes and frozen seas from which no 

 sustenance can be obtained.' 



Although these sledging records of half a century ago have 

 not been surpassed, it would be incorrect to say that there has 

 been no improvement in sledging methods ; with the march of 

 the times and the advance of mechanical skill many details 

 have been improved, whilst the comfort of the sledge-traveller 

 has been increased and his hardships mitigated ; but that the 

 fundamental principles have remained unaltered is sufficiently 

 proved by the figures. 



Since the high-tide mark of 1853 England has not main- 

 tained her reputation in the sledging world ; one effort of 

 importance alone has been made— when in 1875 the 'Alert' 

 and ' Discovery ' were sent forth. The sledging outfit of this 

 expedition was again arranged by Sir Leopold McClintock, but 

 the margins of strength and safety were rather enlarged, so 

 that in many respects the equipment had retrograded. In spite 

 of this, long journeys were made in very adverse circumstances; 

 and had the expedition been able to continue its work for 

 more than a single year, improvements in the outfit would 

 doubtless have been tried and further advancements suggested. 

 In the last years of the century the Jackson-Harmsworth ex- 

 pedition spent three winters in Franz-Josef Land and carried 

 out several sledge expeditions with dogs and ponies ; but here. 



