62 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' 



At the same time we desire you constantly to bear in mind our 

 anxiety for the health, comfort, and safety of all entrusted to your 

 care. 



Such were the principal paragraphs of the instructions which 

 were signed by the Presidents of the Royal and Royal Geo- 

 graphical Societies and delivered into my hands, and when 

 my tale is told I think it will be acknowledged that they were 

 closely observed. 



That part of my story which concerns the preparation of 

 our venture is almost accomplished, and the reader will now 

 understand how and why in July 1901 the 'Discovery' lay in 

 the East India Dock equipped for her long voyage. 



Of the difficulties which threatened to avert this happy 

 accomplishment, space has only permitted me to give the 

 briefest outline. Dr. Nansen has observed that the hardest 

 work of a Polar voyage comes in its preparation, and my 

 remembrance of the years 1 900-1 fully corroborates this 

 dictum ; but even the troubles and trials of this anxious time 

 had their bright side, and it is only with pleasure that I can 

 look back on the kindly assistance which was freely given to 

 the expedition, and to one who like myself was treading 

 unaccustomed paths to further its ends. 



Briefly and inadequately I have already mentioned the 

 services of many eminent men who bore a share in our enter- 

 prise, but such references have by no means included all to 

 whom our gratitude is due. It is not generally understood 

 that in undertaking the management of our expedition the two 

 great Societies concerned assumed an unprecedented responsi- 

 bility. A great Government department like the Admiralty 

 would have had little difficulty in preparing a dozen such 

 ventures, because it has all the machinery necessary for dealing 

 with these matters ; but a learned Society possesses no such 

 facilities, because as a rule it has no need of them. Neither 

 the Royal nor the Royal Geographical Society was organised 

 for the equipment of expeditions, and consequently for them 

 such a task was beset with difficulties. That all obstacles 

 were successfully overcome is to the lasting credit of these 



