302 A rctic and A nt arctic Exploration [part i 
of distinction in the scientific world. All were impressed 
by the eloquence of the gallant sailor, as well known 
for his great service in the Sea of Azof as for his Arctic 
work. All were convinced. The Government must once 
more undertake the duty. It was a most encouraging 
beginning, but in March Osborn was obliged to leave 
England, handing over to me the onerous duty of con- 
tinuing the fight single-handed. 
On the ioth April, 1865, I read a paper at a meeting 
of the Geographical Society on the best route for Arctic 
exploration, but Sir Roderick Murchison caused a letter 
from Dr Petermann assailing my position to be read at the 
same time, and advocating a route north of Spitsbergen, 
long known to be impracticable. This apple of discord 
threw back the good cause for several years, but I continued 
to work hard at the propaganda, and not without success. 
Sherard Osborn returned to England in 1872, and read 
a paper before the Geographical Society on April 22nd, 
pointing out Dr Petermann's errors and quoting Nor- 
denskiold, Payer, and his own man Koldewey against 
him. The Spitsbergen route was no more heard of, but 
great delay had been caused. 
We grew more hopeful, and in December, 1872, a depu- 
tation waited on Mr Lowe and Mr Goschen. It met with 
a very unsatisfactory reception, but the idea was getting 
a firm grip of the public mind, which was shown in several 
ways. My work, The Threshold of the Unknown Region, 
which dealt with the subject, went through four editions 
in two years, and was translated into French. It was 
thought desirable that a naval officer should make a 
preliminary cruise and observe the change that steam 
power had made in ice navigation. Valuable information 
would thus be acquired and the published narrative of such 
a voyage would keep up the interest of the public in Arctic 
work. Commander Albert H. Markham volunteered for 
this service, and embarking on board the Dundee whaler 
Arctic, Captain Adams, sailed from that port in May 1873, 
When the whalers were all sailing vessels there was 
usually much detention, and sometimes considerable loss, 
in passing through Melville Bay. In 1850 the ice offered 
such opposition to progress that the whole fleet gave it 
up in despair. In 1830 the whole whaling fleet was 
