PREFACE 
vii 
Pole by a long and most arduous journey, but here again 
his intention was, if possible, to achieve scientific results 
on the way, especially hoping to discover fossils which 
would throw light on the former history of the great range 
of mountains which he had made known to science. 
The principal aim of this great man — for he rightly has 
his niche among the Polar Dii Majores — was the advance- 
ment of knowledge. From all aspects Scott was among 
the most remarkable men of our time, and the vast number 
of readers of his journal will be deeply impressed with the 
beauty of his character. The chief traits which shone 
forth through his life were conspicuous in the hour of 
death. There are few events in history to be compared, 
for grandeur and pathos, with .the last closing scene in that 
silent wilderness of snow. The great leader, with the 
bodies of his dearest friends beside him, wrote and wrote 
until the pencil dropped from his dying grasp. There was 
no thought of himself, only the earnest desire to give 
comfort and consolation to others in their sorrow. His 
very last lines were written lest he who induced him to 
enter upon Antarctic work should now feel regret for 
what he had done. 
1 If I cannot write to Sir Clements, tell him I thought 
much of him, and never regretted his putting me in 
command of the Discovery? 
CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM. 
September 1913. 
