128 REPORT—1868. 
officer of experience who does not believe that he could reach it, whether by Smith 
Sound or Spitzbergen. 
Let it be remembered that we can never yet be said to have brought steam to 
bear upon Arctic discovery; that all our costly searching expeditions of late years 
have been searching for Franklin, and that all the discoveries they have made haye 
been incidental to that search. Any one of those expeditions would certainly have 
discovered the North Pole if such had heen the object; but even to look toward 
the Pole in these days was little short of treason. It must be admitted there are 
enthusiasts as well as geographers strong on this question: the eminent German 
geographer, Dr. Petermann, is so much an enthusiast in the cause, that at his own 
cost he has just sent a little vessel of eighty tons, without steam-power, to reach 
the Pole between Greenland and Spitzbergen; I wish I could hope that he would 
reap the success he deserves. But the error which, as I think, the advocates of 
Polar exploration have fallen into is that they look upon the Admiralty as respon- 
sible for the discovery ofthe North Pole. Ifthere wasan enemy there, or a known 
friend in distress, it would undoubtedly be their duty to look after either, but 
under present circumstances, it is no more within their province, as it appears to 
me, than to place a squadron of steel gunboats on the lakes of Africa to suppress 
slavery. I can imagine that nothing would be more congenial to the individual 
members of that branch of the Government than to adopt both these glorious ex- 
edients, which would reflect so much lustre on the country and on themselves ; 
bhi it is the country that must do these things, and if the country wishes them 
done and will provide the means, they will be done speedily and effectually. The 
North Pole is justasmuch a public question, if I may make the comparison, as the Irish 
Church, and if canvassed, possibly might considerably affect the approaching elec- 
tions, Perhaps one of the most powerful arguments in fayour of Arctic exploration 
or Antarctic exploration at the present time is the necessity of educating officers 
and seamen in preparation for the great astronomical problem, which must be 
solved in a few years’ time, as near to the South Pole as we can get; for it is diffi- 
cult to believe that this country will not take an important part in the solution of 
thatereat problem; and Arctic seamen will not last for ever, nor can they be made in 
a year. I will only add further on this question of the North Pole, that it appears 
to me to be one of those cases of success all but attained, and within our grasp; and 
I trust that the country which has borne the heat and burthen of the day will not 
be robbed of the crowning honours. 
There is another subject connected with geography in which I believe a large 
section of the public of this country feel a special interest, and which it would be 
improper therefore to pass unnoticed here. J allude to the research which has been, 
and is still being carried on in Palestine under the direction of officers of the Royal 
Engineers, and to the projected exploration of a portion of the Peninsula of Sinai, 
which itis hoped will be shortly commenced. 
The latter project originated with the late Captain Butler, of the 55th Regi- 
ment, who made considerable explorations there, but on the breaking out of the 
late war was recalled to his regiment, and subsequently fell at Inkerman. It was 
afterwards warmly taken up by his brother, the Rey. Pierce Butler, supported by 
many friends, and but for the sudden and lamented death of the latter gentleman 
a few months since, it would doubtless have been now in progress. There is every 
reason to hope, however, that it is only postponed. A few hundred pounds in ad- 
dition to the funds in hand will suffice to defray the cost of the undertaking, and a 
cause of so much interest is not likely to fail for want of public support. On 
the table will be found printed papers setting forth the objects of the expedition 
and the results which it is hoped will be attained. I will only add that the name 
of Captain Palmer, of the Royal Engineers, who has been selected to conduct the 
Survey, isa sure guarantee that it will be well and completely performed. 
Thave little now to add. I said I would dwell briefly on the practical results 
which might be expected to follow the geographical research I have briefly sketched 
out; but it appears to me they almost tell their own tale. There is one great re- 
sult, however, I will advert to, and which, in the interests of this country and two 
of her great dependencies, I hope will not be long delayed, at least the commence- 
ment of it,;—I mean overland communication between the dominion of Canada and 
