40 INTRODUCTION. 



the polarity of the magnet, which lay hid for ages 

 after its attractive virtue was known, would lead to 

 a discovery of the New World ? And who can tell 

 what further advantage mankind may derive from 

 the magnetical influence so very remarkable, yet 

 so very little understood, or pretend to limit the 

 discoveries to which electricity and galvanism may 

 yet open the way ? Had any one, thirty years ago, 

 been bold enough to assert that he would light up 

 our shops and houses, and theatres and streets, with 

 a more brilliant fire than yet had been produced ; 

 that this flame should be extracted from common 

 fuel, and carried for miles, if necessary, under 

 ground in iron pipes, he would at once have been 

 set down as little better than a madman or an im- 

 postor. Both expeditions may fail in the main 

 object of the arduous enterprize ; but they can 

 scarcely fail in being the means of extending the 

 sphere of human knowledge ; and if they bring 

 back an accession of it, they cannot be said to 

 have been sent out in vain.** 



Note in 1820. — The accounts published of the 

 results of these expeditions, give the most satis- 

 factory proof that this object has been accom- 

 plished, though the northern passage was not 

 found. Krusenstern. 



