INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED 59 



relative importance of the various objects for which the 

 expedition is undertaken. 



I need not recall the several branches of science which it 

 was proposed that our expedition should investigate, but I 

 may point out that there were bound to be innumerable 

 instances in which their interests clashed. The best-conducted 

 expedition cannot serve two masters, and in pursuance of one 

 object is often obliged to neglect others. Although circum- 

 stances will generally determine the object which can be 

 pursued most profitably at the moment, where what may be 

 described as so many vested scientific interests are concerned, 

 it is obviously of advantage to the commander that he should 

 know in what light these interests are regarded by those 

 responsible for the expedition. 



The value of instructions, then, is to place before the 

 leader a general review of the situation, a statement of the 

 order in which the objects of the expedition are held, and as 

 much information as can be given without prejudice as to the 

 wishes of his chiefs. Of such a nature were the instructions 

 I received before sailing for the South. The original draft 

 had been prepared by Sir Clements Markham at a very early 

 date, and, as I have already mentioned, it came subsequently 

 under the consideration of the Joint Committee of thirty-two 

 members. 



The draft contained many clauses relating to matters of 

 opinion, and it was not to be expected that so large a Com- 

 mittee, containing representatives of so many interests, should 

 at once agree as to their relative importance or as to the 

 manner in which the expedition should be conducted. 



In consequence of this there was much discussion, with 

 delay that threatened to impede the progress of the expedition ; 

 but at this point the Societies wisely decided to submit the 

 whole question to a body of smaller dimensions, and a Com- 

 mittee of four was appointed to decide the matter finally. 



The four members of this Committee were Lord Lindley, 

 Sir George Goldie, Sir Leopold McClintock, and Mr. A. B. 

 Kempe. Thanks to the practical manner in which it dealt 



