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pendently of additions to our geographical and physical knowledge, 

 the possible recovery of the magnetical observations, and the 

 journals of the Franklin Expedition is a consideration of great 

 moment, since the former must have been made by officers well 

 trained to the task, with excellent instruments verified before the 

 sailing of the Expedition, and in localities possessing peculiar interest 

 in reference to the theory of magnetism ; and the latter would 

 doubtless contain a narrative of the deepest interest, not only to the 

 cultivators of science, but to the public generally, and especially the 

 relatives of the gallant men who are supposed to have perished. 

 The Expedition is, however, also advocated on the score of humanity, 

 for experienced Arctic navigators still think it not impossible that 

 some survivors of the crews may be living among the savage tribes, 

 whose lot is cast among those inhospitable and barren regions. But 

 admit that there is danger in these enterprises, Is it inglorious to 

 perish in promoting human progress ? You will not suspect me, I 

 am sure, of being indifferent to the fate of brave men ; but in fact 

 it is well nigh impossible to add to our stock of physical knowledge 

 without some risk to life. The Astronomer in his observatory, 

 exposed night after night to the open air at a freezing temperature ; 

 the Chemist in his laboratory, among explosive and poisonous sub- 

 stances ; the Surgeon who handles the dissecting knife, all equally 

 with the adventurous traveller expose their lives to peril. We know 

 what was the opinion of the great Athenian moralist and martyr on 

 this question, from that fine passage in which the dangers of military 

 and civil life are so beautifully contrasted: "I should have acted 

 strangely indeed," says he, "if, having stood firmly in the post 

 assigned to me by my general at Amphipolis, Potidsea and Delium, 

 and braved every danger, I had turned coward and feared to die, 

 when my God ordered me to be a philosopher and instruct mankind." 

 Whether men perish in peace or war, if they fall in advancing 

 civilization or arresting the progress of barbarism, what matters it 

 whether their bones rest in a soldier's grave, or lie scattered, "as 

 when one heweth wood," on the ice-bound shores of the Polar Sea ? 

 All are entitled to the Spartan epitaph, " Go tell our countrymen we 

 lie here, having obeyed their commands," for all have alike 

 fulfilled their mission. 



Even the great Poet of the benighted middle ages introduces an 



