CHAPTER XI 



CONCLUSION 



Exploration and commercial success — The expedition to Russia of 

 ISS3 and its results — How British trade was made — ^Advantages 

 of life in Siberia — Russia and our alliance with Japan — 

 Cotton and the Lancashire mills — Japan and China. 



As the greatest maritime and commercial power since 

 the world began, Great Britain owes much to her 

 explorers and travellers, from the earliest pioneer to 

 the latest scientifically -equipped expedition. The 

 discovery of new countries and the exploration of 

 those which, although not new in the sense of not 

 having been known before, are yet a terra incognita 

 in other respects, is essential to our national 

 prosperity, and the day on which the Briton ceases to 

 be an explorer and an opener out of new worlds will 

 mark the beginning of the decline of our national 

 supremacy. 



The expedition which resulted in the establish- 

 ment of trade relations with Russia in 1553 was 

 organised at a time of unusual depression in English 

 trade. New markets were an imperative necessity, 

 and merchants of London were prompted to combine 

 in a practical business spirit with a view to discover- 

 ing new outlets for the products of British industry, 

 while the support of royalty conferred on the expedi- 

 tion the character of a national undertaking. The 

 energy and determination which had been applied to 

 the project were not without their reward. The 



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