262 



WHAT SCIENCE AND COMMERCE MAY GAIN, ETC. 



exploration of the Polar area should always be sent under 

 naval auspices and naval discipline. I have no faith in purely 

 private expeditions ; on such a service as this I advocate we 

 need all the i-esources of a naval dockyard, all the special 

 knowledge collected in various departments — whether in the 

 preparation of vessels, food, raiment, sledges, or equipment — 

 to insure the work being well and safely done. The Navy of 

 England cries not for mere war to gratify its desire for 

 honourable employment or fame, there are other achievements 

 it knows well, as glorious as victorious battle. Upon these 

 points, as well as those of scientific results, it would not be 

 too much to ask for a fraction of the vast sum yearly sunk 

 in naval expenditure, for two small screw vessels and 120 

 officers and men, out of the 50,000 men annually placed at 

 the disposal of the Admiralty." 



This practical advice, coming from such an authority in 

 1865, is worthy of serious consideration at the present 

 moment. In a letter written by Lady Franklin, dated 

 Madrid, April 6, 1865, the following passage occurs : — " For 

 the credit and honour of England, the exploration of the 

 Forth Pole should not be left to any other country. It is the 

 birthright and just inheritance of those who have gone 

 through fifteen years of toil and risk in Arctic Seas. The 

 glory that yet remains to be gathered should be theirs." 



I should like to say in concluding;, for the credit and 

 honour of England and Australasia, the exploration of the 

 South Pole should not be left to any other country, but 

 should be taken up by England, who would, I am sure, 

 be ably and willingly assisted by her loyal Australasian 

 subjects. 



