156 APPENDIX. 



grounded, it might be deemed the frenzied specula- 

 tion of a disordered fancy. I flatter myself, how- 

 ever, that I shall be able to satisfy the Society, 

 that the performance of a journey over a surface of 

 ice, from the north of Spitzbergen to the pole, is a 

 project which might be undertaken, with at least a 

 probability of success. 



" It must be allowed, that many known difficul- 

 ties would require to be surmounted — many dan- 

 gers to be encountered — and that some circum- 

 stances might possibly occur, which would at once 

 annul the success of the undertaking. Of these 

 classes of objections, the following strike me as 

 being the most formidable, which, after briefly 

 stating, I shall individually consider in their, or- 

 der. 



1. The difficulty of performing a journey of 1200 

 miles, 600 going and 600 returning, over a 

 surface of ice — of procuring a sufficient convey- 

 ance — and of carrying a necessary supply of 

 provisions and apparatus, as well as attend- 

 ants. , 

 " The difficulties may be increased by 

 (a.) Soft snow ; 



(b.) Want of continuity of the ice ; 

 (c.) Rough ice ; and 

 (d.J Mountainous ice. 



