vi PREFACE 



the most completely equipped expedition for scientific purposes 

 connected with the polar regions, both as regards men and ma- 

 terial, that ever left these shores. In this he succeeded. He had 

 on board a fuller complement of geologists, one of them es- 

 pecially trained for the study of physiography, biologists, physi- 

 cists, and surveyors than ever before composed the staff of a 

 polar expedition. Thus Captain Scott's objects were strictly 

 scientific, including the completion and extension of his former 

 discoveries. The results will be explained in the second volume 

 of this work. They will be found to be extensive and important. 

 Never before, in the polar regions, have meteorological, mag- 

 netic and tidal observations been taken, in one locality, during 

 five years. It was also part of Captain Scott's plan to reach 

 the South Pole by a long and most arduous journey, but here 

 again his intention was, if possible, to achieve scientific results 

 on the way, especially hoping to discover fossils which would 

 throw light on the former history of the great range of moun- 

 tains which he had made known to science. 



The principal aim of this great man, for he rightly has his 

 niche among the polar Dii Majores, was the advancement of 

 knowledge. From all aspects Scott was among the most re- 

 markable men of our time, and the vast number of readers of 

 his journal will be deeply impressed with the beauty of his 

 character. The chief traits which shone forth through his life 

 were conspicuous in the hour of death. There are few events 

 in history to be compared, for grandeur and pathos, with the last 

 closing scene in that silent wilderness of .snow. The great leader, 

 with the bodies of his dearest friends beside him, wrote and wrote 

 until the pencil dropped from his dying grasp. There was no 

 thought of himself, only the earnest desire to give comfort and 

 consolation to others in their sorrow. His very last lines were 

 written lest he who induced him to enter upon Antarctic work 

 should now feel regret for what he had done. 



1 If I cannot write to Sir Clements, tell him I thought much 

 of him, and never regretted his putting me in command of the 

 Discovery/ 



Clements R. Markham. 



Sept. 1913. 



