EPILOGUE 



THE closing words of this book must be a heartfelt acknowledg- 

 ment from all concerned with Scott's Last Expedition, to the 

 Antarctic Committee which has laboured so long and so disin- 

 terestedly to further the interests of the Expedition, of those who 

 took part in it, and of those who were left desolate by its su- 

 preme achievement. That acknowledgment is most gratefully 

 tendered to Sir Archibald Geikie, President of the Royal Society; 

 to Lord Strathcona, Lord Howard de Walden, Lord Goschen, 

 Sir George Taubman Goldie, Major Leonard Darwin, and 

 Mr. D. Radcliffe, who was invited to join at Commander Evans' 

 request; above all, to Sir Edgar Speyer, who so ably and gen- 

 erously undertook the heavy duties of Hon. Treasurer; to 

 Admiral Sir Lewis Beaumont, who gave unsparingly of his 

 time and invaluable help; to Sir Clements Markham, the Father 

 of Polar exploration, from whom Captain Scott assuredly drew 

 much of his inspiration and encouragement; and to that close 

 friend of Captain Scott, Mr. Reginald Smith, K.C. In New 

 Zealand the interests of the Expedition were admirably repre- 

 sented by Mr. J. J. Kinsey, who became not merely its official 

 representative, but the trusted friend so warmly mentioned by 

 Captain Scott and Dr. Wilson. 



All the original members consented to join the Committee 

 at Captain Scott's personal request, and their names were asso- 

 ciated with his in the collection of funds for the equipment of the 

 Expedition. Captain Scott himself undertook all the liabilities 

 involved; he did not ask the Committee to share in these, albeit 

 the Treasurer, with his characteristic generosity, gave him to 

 understand that he would do much to see the venture through. 

 Captain Scott, however, left a letter with Sir Lewis Beaumont 

 giving him full authority to assume control of affairs should ship 

 and party be lost. After Captain Scott's death the Committee 

 translated into action Captain Scott's last appeal to the nation; 

 the funds they raised were united with the Lord Mayor's Fund, 



