ch. lviJ The Societies Expedition 445 
Sir Joseph Hooker, the Duke of Argyll, and other eminent 
men of science and naval officers expressing themselves 
strongly in favour of the project. A dash to the Pole was 
not advocated, but rather a steady, continuous, and 
systematic exploration of the antarctic region. 
Our efforts to induce the Government to undertake 
an expedition failed, and need not be dwelt upon here. 
The Admiralty, however, offered to lend instruments, and 
later, thanks to the exertions of Admiral Sir Anthony 
Hoskins, there was liberality in giving leave, on full pay, 
to officers and men. 
Articles in magazines had to be published, lectures to 
be delivered, circulars to be sent out, and the desperately 
uphill work of raising funds for a private expedition 
undertaken. In December, 1895, I proposed that the 
expedition should be undertaken by the Royal Geo- 
graphical Society. There was some opposition and delay, 
but at length, on April 12th, 1897, the R.G.S. Council 
agreed to subscribe and raise funds. As the Royal 
Society is the scientific adviser of the Government, 
that eminent body was asked to unite with the Royal 
Geographical Society, and its President and Council 
consented on February 24th, 1898. The Council of the 
Geographical Society consented to a grant of £5000 for 
the expedition, on June 20th of that year. 
By that time I had collected only £14,000 when on 
March 24th, 1899, Mr LongstaflE asked me if £25,000 would 
enable the expedition to start. I assured him that it 
would, on a small scale, and he at once sent a cheque. 
This was an example of princely munificence which 
entitles its generous donor to take rank with the merchant 
adventurers of the days of Elizabeth, For similar 
patriotic munificence Sir Felix Booth received a baronetcy ; 
Oscar Dickson received a barony. Longstaff received the 
admiration and gratitude of his countrymen, and a very 
honourable niche in polar history. On June 22nd, 1899, 
the First Lord of the Treasury promised a grant, and 
the Treasury afterwards announced that this would 
amount to £40,000 on condition that an equal sum was 
raised privately. We then had only £37,000, but (lie 
R.G.S. Council at once granted an additional £3000 
to make up the required sum. 
