422 eepoet — 1879. 



less known, they equally belong to the more scientific geodesist. In the whole 

 range of exploring narrative there is nothing more calculated to excite admiration,, 

 nothing more touching, than the devotion of Colonel Lamhton, the first superinten- 

 dent of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, the old man who was absorbed 

 in his great work for half a fife-time, who wasted away from exposure and hard- 

 ship, but who, to the last brightened up to renewed animation and vigour when 

 the great theodolite was before him, and who died at his post in a wild part of 

 Central India. This was sixty years ago, but quite recently the equally heroic 

 death of Captain Basevi was recorded. At 17,000 feet above the sea, in a tempera- 

 ture below zero, and protected only by a light tent, this martyr to science was en- 

 gaged in the delicate operation of swinging the seconds pendulum. One morning, 

 when gallantly striving to rise from a bed of suffering and to recommence work, 

 he died. Nor do these names stand alone. Assuredly, the more scientific sur- 

 veyors run equal risks, and deserve equal recognition with their exploring brethren. 

 Still the interest justly attaching to new discoveries naturally commands most 

 popular applause, and the importance of opening up an unknown country cannot 

 well be exaggerated. 



In this glorious field there are still harvests to be reaped through the bravery 

 and endurance of future travellers. In spite of all that has recently been done in 

 Africa, there is a vast unknown tract to be discovered. In Asia, in New Guinea, 

 in Sumatra and Borneo, in South America, wide regions also remain unexplored. 

 Above all, the greatest problem of this age awaits solution in the far north, and 

 will call forth the best scientific ability, and all the highest qualities of our naval 

 explorers. 



Every year, new regions are brought within our knowledge, and we are able to 

 welcome the adventurers home, and to add them to the list of geographical worthies. 

 But, with regard to many explorers, there can be no doubt that much more valu- 

 able information might be obtained than is now the case. Men, with various 

 avocations, traverse unexplored or little known countries, who, from want of 

 previous training, are unable to lay down their routes or to observe with scientific 

 accuracy and intelligence. There are naval and military officers, missionaries, con- 

 'sular agents, colonial officials and planters, engineers, telegraphers, collectors, and 

 sportsmen or persons merely travelling for pleasure, many of whom are led, by 

 business or curiosity, to penetrate into regions of which little is known. It is 

 most important that there should exist, in this country, the ready means of furnish- 

 ing the necessary training to such explorers, and the subject has recently received 

 serious consideration froni the Council of the Royal Geographical Society. 



It has been resolved that a course of instruction shall be sxipplied by the 

 Society to all who are about to visit unknown or little known countries, and who 

 desire such training. As a preliminary measure, the present arrangement is to 

 give such instruction as will enable the pupil to fix positions by astronomical ob- 

 servations, and to lay down his route ; but this is only a beginning, and it is to be 

 hoped that, in due time, such a course of instruction will be provided as will enable 

 an intelligent traveller to observe with scientific accuracy, and to bring home really 

 valuable results in various branches of inquiry. It is very desirable that this reso- 

 lution of the Geographical Society should be widely known, and I trust that the 

 local members of this Section will co-operate so far as to bear in mind that this 

 aid is offered by the Geographical Society, when the intention of any native of 

 Hallamshire to visit a distant region comes to their notice. Incalculable good 

 may be done to the cause of geography by a system which will have the effect of 

 making every traveller a scientific and intelligent observer. 



The surveying and mapping of the ocean is only second in importance to that 

 of the land ; and this work also divides itself into three sections, namely, the 

 coasts surveyed, the coasts partially surveyed, and the unsurveyed coasts. Hydro- 

 graphy will not be completed until all the coasts in the world are included in the 

 first section, which is now very far indeed from being the case. Yet this is not 

 merely a question of science, of the study of the physical geography of the sea, 

 interesting as this branch of our subject has become. Upon the accuracy and 

 completeness of charts hangs the safety of thousands of lives, and the prosperity 



