OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 491 



themselves. It is possible at the same time that, in so vast an expanse of 

 sea, channels of open water may occur to assist a ship's progress to the 

 westward. 



It appears, then, that the chief difficulty to be anticipated in the accomplish- 

 ment of this passage, will consist in getting the ships upon that part of the 

 continent, which, from the very best authority, we know to be navigable. I 

 trust that the endeavours of the two Expeditions lately employed under my 

 orders have at least served the useful purpose of shewing where the passage 

 is not to be effected, and of thus bringing within very narrow limits the 

 question as to where any future attempt should be made. In submitting, 

 Avhich I do with considerable diffidence, the foregoing view of the subject, 

 it has not been my intention to create or magnify difficulties, but to suggest 

 as well as I am able the best mode of overcoming them. For ray own part, 

 I never felt more sanguine of ultimate success in the enterprise in which I 

 have lately been engaged, than at the present moment; and I cannot but 

 entertain a confident hope that England may yet be destined to succeed in 

 an attempt which has for centuries past engaged her attention, and interested 

 the whole civilized world. 



END OF THE NARRATIVE. 



3 U 2 



