124 Polar Explorations. 
stand has been hitherto conducted profitably, although their 
fuel costs four times as much as it would in many other parts 
of the country. Why, considering our national spirit of en- 
Art. XVI.—Polar Explorations. 
(Communicated for this Journal.) 
Tue attempt to obtain a North West posege to the In- 
dies, has been prosecuted with a zeal far surpassing that 
which turned the commerce of Europe round the Cape of 
Good Hope from the wearisome overland journeys through 
the deserts of Syria and Persia, or from the shifting and dan- 
gerous navigation of the Levant and Red Sea, by the way 
of Egypt. 
- Tbe adventurous spirit awakened by the improvements in 
posed probable that Sir Martin Frobisher’s attempt to find 
a No assage, was in consequence of those repre- 
sentations, although no aid was extended to him by either o 
those sovereigns. He did not penetrate above 62° N. lat. 
where he discovered the strait which bears his name. 
Mr. Thorne’s opinion of the probable success of such an 
enterprise, was founded upon the great advantage of con- 
stant daylight for a length of time sufficient to accomplish 
e voyage, and from a belief that a perpetual sun would 
warm those regions, so as to give an open sea from the arctic 
cirele to the pole. 
+ Hackluyt. 
