564 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



wastes, or to tell of the fierce light which flashes around the 

 northern sphinx ; yet they have not died in vain, for the glory 

 that crowns the human race is composed of the daring deeds of 

 the heroic few. Like a king who sends his armies into battle 

 under brave leaders, who return again laden with the trophies of 

 signal victory : by this he fortifies his throne and gathers fresh 

 honors for his royal name. So is it with the nation that bids 

 farewell to her heroic sons who seek new fields to explore ; their 

 deeds are the trophies of a greater victory, for the honor falls 

 upon all alike, and makes men proud of their nativity. What is 

 life, save as we estimate it for results accomplished? It is but a 

 span at most, but may be made glorious and fruitful by sacrifice. 

 Therefore, he who gives his life in an undertaking to contribute 

 to the sum of human knowledge, has lived usefully and dies 

 heroically. If one die in such an effort, let another hero take 

 his place until the long procession at length shall give from its 

 ranks a victor. So shall all great things be accomplished, and so 

 shall the North Pole be reached . 



A SUMMARY OF POLAR EXPEDITIONS. 



IT is a singular fact that Iceland and Greenland were inhabited 

 and comparatively well-know countries before America was dis- 

 covered by Columbus. However, as to the discovery of America, 

 this honor belongs to Columbus only as the second discoverer, 

 for the American coast as far south as Long Island was known to 

 the Sea Kings of Norway in the 9th and 10th centuries. In the 

 year 1000 a Norwegian, with a crew of Icelanders, landed on the 

 coast of Massachusetts, which he named Vinland. They also 

 established colonies on the Greenland coast and on Spitzbergen, 

 which remained highly prosperous for several centuries. Ruins 

 of once magnificent churches may yet be seen along the coast of 

 Greenland. The Icelanders and Northmen were the first arctic 

 explorers. But as these colonies finally perished, though from 

 what cause we know not, no trace of the discoveries made by 

 these people was communicated to Europe, so that Columbus has 

 the honor, in no wise detracted by the Norwegian explorers, of 

 having discovered America. 



