322 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



lines of research. Thus the objects sought are well defined ; but, 

 apart from this, the very fact that there exists an unknown area 

 of over a million square miles creates the duty to explore it, for 

 two reasons : First, every new fact recorded, every misconcep- 

 tion corrected, expands the mental horizon, gives additional 

 power to the mind, and shuts off possible sources of error an 

 ounce of fact being worth a ton of speculation; second, every 

 fact is part of a network, and as new facts are observed and cor- 

 related they constantly throw light on others, and presently 

 group themselves into fruitful combinations. The most impor- 

 tant discoveries have been made by men seeking simply to find 

 out new facts, without regard to their consequences, or, rather, 

 with the conviction, drawn from past experience, that no fact is 

 without its useful consequence, and that therefore it would be 

 a dereliction of duty to neglect any fact within reach. Think 

 of Volta, Galvani, Oersted, Faraday, Crookes, Hertz, Rontgen ! 

 " Shall the northern limit of America remain unknown ? " is a 

 question which appeals to every American, even though he can 

 not tell why. It may safely be said that there is nowhere a more 

 assured prospect of filling many awkward gaps in scientific sys- 

 tems than in the arctic. If it be objected that this research 

 should be postponed to a time when it can be done safely and 

 economically, the answer is that this time has arrived. 



3. Outing. For the tourist, the arctic, with its marvelous 

 scenery, its inspiriting climate, free from colds and fevers, 

 quickly doubling appetite, vigor, and endurance (as testified 

 unanimously by whalers and explorers), is at least equal to Yel- 

 lowstone Park or the Alps. The Hamburg- American line already 

 sends an excursion steamer to Spitzbergen. " The northern limit 

 of phthisis" in Berghaus's Physical Atlas may be a message of 

 hope to many a stricken home. 



4. Honor. Only hypocrisy can say that it does not desire the 

 world's applause ; only ignorance can say that the world pro- 

 portions its applause to service rendered. Nothing arouses popu- 

 lar interest and wins popular homage more readily than success- 

 ful arctic exploration. Supposing that this indicates no great 

 discernment in the public, that does not alter the fact that a popu- 

 lar reputation is one of the most precious of human possessions 

 a capital enabling its possessor to apply his labor in any direction 

 with vastly increased efficiency. If it is proper to strive for a 

 capital in money, it is at least equally proper to strive for a capi- 

 tal in fame. And if fame be won by rendering important re- 

 sources available, securing a vast array of scientific facts and 

 giving access to unparalleled wonders, will it not be* as fairly 

 earned as many kinds which pass unchallenged ? 



He who understands the bearing of scientific facts knows 



