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LX. Thotigkls on the VrohaliliUj^ Expediency and Utililii of 

 discovering a Passage by the North Pole ^. 



1 H E interesting nattjre of the subject to which this paper re- 

 lates, would at any time justify its publication; but at the pre- 

 Rent moment it derives an additional value from the recent ac- 

 count of the Discovery Ships, and from the fact that Lieutenant 

 Franklin continues to pursue iiis journey with the distinct view 

 of exploring the Arctic Regions. 



The possibility of making discoveries in this way (that is, by 

 steering directly north), though now treated as paradoxical by 

 many, was not, as will hereafter appear, formerly looked upou 

 in that light, even by such as o;ight to be reputed the propcrest 

 judges. Tlierc have been a variety of causes, that, at different 

 times, have retarded undertakings of the utmost importance to 

 the human species. 



Among these we may justly consider the conduct of some great 

 philosophers, who, as our judicious Verulam wisely observes, 

 quitting the luminous path of experience to investigate the ope- 

 rations of nature by their own speculations, impored upon the 

 bulk of mankind specious opinions for incontestable truths ; 

 which, being propagated by their disciples through a long series 

 of years, captivated the minds of men, and thereby deprived 

 them of that great instrument of science, the spirit of inquiry. 



In succeeding ai;es a new impediment arose, from the setting 

 up profit as the ultimate object of discovery ; and then, as might 

 well be expected, the preferring the private and particular gain 

 of certain individuals to the general interests of the community, 

 as well as to the interest of the whole world, in the extension of 

 science. This it was that induced the States General, at the in- 

 stance of their East India Company, to discourage all attempts 

 for finding a north-east passage, and to stifle such accounts as 

 tended to show that it was practicable. 



We mav add to these, the sourness of disappointed navigators, 

 who endeavoured to render their own miscarriages proofs of the 

 impracticability of any like attempts. Tiiis was the case of 

 Captain Vv'ood, who was shipwrecked upon Nova Zen)bla, and 

 who declared, that all endeavours on th;it side were and vvoidd 

 be found vain ; thougli Barentz, who died there in a like expe- 

 dition, affirmed, with his last breath, that, in his own opinion, 

 such a passage might be found. 



That the earth was spherical in its form was an opinion very 

 early entertained, and amongst the learned generally admitted. 

 U seemed to be a plain deduction from thence, that a right lioe, 



• From the Hull Packet of November 6, 1P20. 



passing 



