1 9 o SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
Cape of Good Hope ; and that they are willing to supply 
instruments for their use. 
• • * » » 
“4. That the Association considers it highly impor- 
tant that the deficiency, yet existing in our knowledge of 
terrestrial magnetism in the southern hemisphere, should 
be supplied by observations of the magnetic direction 
and intensity, especially in the high southern latitudes be- 
tween the meridians of New Holland and Cape Horn; 
and they desire strongly to recommend to Her Majesty's 
Government the appointment of a naval expedition ex- 
pressly directed to that object.” 
The committee lost no time in approaching Govern- 
ment for on September 3rd the Prime Minister, Lord Mel- 
bourne, wrote making an appointment to receive them on 
November 10th. On that day some informal conversa- 
tion took place, the presentation of the memorial being 
postponed to November 29th, when the Chancellor of the 
Exchequer was also present. The Prime Minister re- 
ferred the memorial to the Royal Society, then as now, 
the acknowledg d advisor of the Government on all sci- 
entific matters, and it seems to have excited some surprise 
at the time that the President and Council of the ancient 
society “ casting behind them every feeling but an earnest 
desire to render available to science the ancient and es- 
tablished credit of their institution," warmly supported the 
representations of the young Association which had 
rushed in where the more august body hesitated to tread. 
All was now plain sailing. Lord Melbourne decided 
on the despatch of an expedition, the Lords of the Ad- 
miralty set apart two ships well suited for the purpose, the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer supplied ample funds, the 
Royal Society appointed a Committee on Meteorology 
