328 



GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 



preach to the South Pole being a distance of 1 130 

 miles, but to the North, only 510 miles. 



Lastly, With regard to the probability of ex- 

 ploring the regions more immediately in the vici- 

 nity of the Pole than has yet been accomplished, 

 or even of reaching the Pole itself, — I anticipate, 

 that without reference to the reasoning on which 

 the opinion is grounded, it might be deemed the 

 frenzied speculation of a disordered fancy. I flat- 

 ter myself, however, that I shall be able to satisfy 

 the Society, that the performance of a journey, 

 over a surface of ice, from the north of Spitz- 

 bergen to the Pole, is a project which might be 

 undertaken, with at least a probability of suc- 

 cess. 



It must be allowed, that many known difficul- 

 ties would require to be surmounted, — many dan- 

 gers to be encountered,— and that some circum- 

 stances might possibly occur, which would at once 

 annul the success of the undertaking. Of these 

 classes of objections, the following strike me as 

 being the most formidable, which, after briefly 

 stating, I shall individually consider, in their 

 order ; 



1. The difficulty of performing a journey of 

 1200 miles, 600 going and 600 returning, over a 

 surface of ice, — of procuring a sufficient convey- 

 ance,—- and of carrying a necessary supply of pro- 

 visions and apparatus, as well as attendants. 



