ETHNOLOGICAL RESULTS OE AN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 277 



Geographical Society, in an interview which took place on the 20tli 

 of June in the same year. 



But at that time there was some difference of opinion among 

 Arctic authorities on the subject of the best routo to he adopted, 

 and the Duke said that he would wish to he in possession of the 

 results of the Swedish Expedition then engaged in exploring 

 Spitzbergen, and of other information, before he could recommend 

 an Arctic exploring expedition to the consideration of the Govern- 

 ment. 



In consequence of the view taken by his Grace, the Council of 

 the Eoyal Geographical Society have carefully watched the results 

 of expeditions undertaken by foreign countries, in order to be in a 

 position to recommend one route as undoubtedly the best, before 

 again pressing the subject upon the attention of the Government. 

 Seven years have now passed, and during that time additional 

 experience has been accumulated by the Swedes and Germans, 

 which has enabled the Council to form an opinion that justifies 

 a renewal of their representation made in 1865. The distinguished 

 Arctic officers who are Members of the Geographical Council, and 

 who have carefully considered the evidence accumulated since 1865 

 in a special Committee, are now unanimously of opinion that the 

 route by Smith Sound is the one which should bo adopted with a 

 view to exploring the greatest extent of coast-line, and of securing 

 the most valuable scientific results. The conclusion thus arrived at 

 by authorities of such eminence has placed the Eoyal Geographical 

 Society in a position which will enable its Council to represent to 

 the Government that the conditions are now fulfilled which the First 

 Lord of the Admiralty deemed essential in 1865, before he could 

 entertain the project of North Polar Exploration. 



I am, therefore, instructed to represent the very great importance 

 of stating the scientific results to be derived from the exploration of 

 the unknown North Polar Eegion in full detail, even in a first pre- 

 liminary communication to the Government. It is believed that the 

 success of any representation will depend to a considerable extent 

 on the force and authority with which that portion of it is prepared, 

 which enumerates the scientific results to be derived from the pro- 

 pi >sed expedition. I am to request that you will submit these views 

 to the President and Council of the Anthropological Institute, and 

 that they will be so good as to cause a statement to bo drawn up 

 and furnished to the Council of the Eoyal Geographical Society, 

 embodying their views, in detail, of the various ways in which the 

 Science of Anthropology would be advanced by Arctic exploration. 



I enclose, for the information of the President and Council of the 



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