ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. Vli. 



The following letter and enclosures have been received from the 

 President of the Royal Geographical Society. With a view to 

 making the wishes of that body known to members of the Royal 

 Society, these have been reproduced in extenso: 



1 Savile Bow, Burlington Gardens, London, W.» 

 November, 25th, 1898. 

 Dear Sir, — A joint Committee of the Eoyal Society and of the Royal 

 Geographical Society has been formed for the purpose of endeavouring 

 to obtain the necessary funds wherewith to equip a British National 

 Expedition for the exploration of the great unknown Antarctic area. For 

 several years efforts have been made to induce the Imperial Government 

 to send an expedition to complete the work of Sir James Ross sixty years 

 ago. It has at last been definitely intimated that under the present 

 circumstances there is no prospect of the Government undertaking such 

 work; at the same time the Government expressed approval of the move- 

 ment to obtain funds for an adequate private expedition, and promised 

 to give such an expedition its countenance, and to some extent its support. 



The necessity for such an expedition is unanimously admitted by all 

 Scientific Societies; and it is believed that Australasia would benefit 

 more than any other part of the world, from the scientific results which 

 are sure to be obtained. I am sure it is unnecessary to urge upon you 

 and your Society the great importance of Antarctic exploration ; the 

 papers which accompany this letter show fully what are the views of 

 scientific men in Europe. 



If Great Britain is to maintain her place in the forefront of exploring- 

 enterprise there is no time to lose. In 1900 a fully equipped German 

 expedition will leave for the Antarctic area, and if we hold back we should 

 have no part in the last great piece of exploring work that remains to be 

 done. Germany looks to Great Britain for co-operation, and there is 

 ample room for both ; the work thus jointly carried out on a common 

 plan would be invaluable, and would probably solve once for all the great 

 problems which await solution in the Antarctic. 



This Society contributes =£5,000, and Mr. Alfred Harmsworth a like 

 sum, and other smaller sums are promised ; but a minimum of .£50,000 is 

 required, and further subscriptions are urgently wanted. Antarctic 

 enterprise has special claims upon Australia, and I therefore appeal to 

 your Society to use your influence, both with the Colonial Government 

 and with private individuals to help the joint Committee to obtain the 

 necessary funds. 



I am, yours sincerely, 



CLEMENT R MARKHAM, 



President, Royal Geographical Society. 

 President of the Royal Society, Sydney, N. S. Wales. 



