THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 
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holds out a hope of “ finishing the North Pole in a season,” 
or of u steaming away to the Pole.” 
Already we hear that in Sweden and the Netherlands they are 
preparing for an Arctic campaign. Pr. Petermann, too, is 
again active on behalf of a German venture ; the Americans 
are anxious to u verify ” the discoveries of Captain Nares. Is 
England, not to speak of other maritime countries, to look on, 
an idle spectator ? Might she not, through her example and 
influence, induce the nations of the world to act on a precon- 
certed plan in carrying on these Arctic explorations ? Five or 
six expeditions, attacking the North Pole from different direc- 
tions, and in the same season, stand a better chance of success 
than the irregular expeditions which have been sent forth 
hitherto. Their results, too, would prove more useful, and the 
objects which Lieut. Weyprecht had in view when he proposed 
to establish physical observatories within the Arctic Circle could 
partly be attained by them. Will England prove her maritime 
superiority by taking the lead in this work of Arctic exploration ? 
