APPENDIX. 163 



1715, in a sledge drawn by dogs ; and consequent- 

 ly, that he might be supposed to have encountered 

 the principal difficulties that could be expected in 

 the proposed scheme, whilst we have the advantage 

 of improving by his experience. 



" 2d, Speaking of the south-western tendency of 

 the ice, I have also noticed the loss of several of 

 the Dutch Greenland fleet in 1 777, from which we 

 learn, that part of the unfortunate suffering crews, 

 under every privation of provision and clothing, and 

 exposed to the severity of an Arctic winter, accom- 

 plished a journey on foot, along the coasts of Old 

 Greenland, from the east side, near Staten Hook, 

 to the Danish settlements on the west, a distance 

 of near a hundred leagues. 



" 3d, On contrasting the projected polar journey 

 with the catalogue of marvellous occurrences, and 

 wonderful preservations which are exhibited in the 

 records of maritime disasters,* the difficulties of 

 the undertaking in a great measure vanish, and its 

 dangers are eclipsed by the wonderful results which 

 necessity has, in various instances accomplished. 1 ' 



* " See Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea." 

 FINIS. 



