11 
INTRODUCTION 
distinguished. In the narrative of a voyage of this kind, 
the attention is universally attracted to one great and im¬ 
portant point, without presenting any of those grand and 
glowing pictures of the tropical climes, which gave rise to 
the laborious researches and profound investigations of a 
Jones or a Maurice. But although the professed object of 
the last voyage of Captain Ross has not been attained, yet 
on a perusal of the different scenes, through which the in¬ 
trepid navigators passed, much will be found to excite the 
attention of the philosopher, the merchant, and the man of 
science, whilst at the same time the honour and character of 
the nation are elevated by the circumstance, that there are 
men to be found in it, who will brave the rigour of four 
Arctic winters, estranged from every comfort, which can 
render life desirable, for the sole purpose of enlarging the 
boundary of maritime discovery, and adding another leaf to 
the laurel which already encircles the brows of the British 
mariners. 
The outset, progress, and result of various enterprises 
have been exhibited to the world, in the publications of the 
respective adventurers; but, valuable as these productions 
are, yet the size and expense of the volumes preclude many 
readers of curiosity, intelligence, and knowledge, from being 
able conveniently to purchase such sources of gratification. 
Thus the price, at which Captain Ross announces the history 
of his last voyage, namely two guineas, will place it beyond 
the reach of the greatest part of the reading community, 
whereas in the following pages will be found, at a compara¬ 
tively low price, the whole of the incidents and discoveries, 
for which the voyage has been distinguished, and the au¬ 
thenticity of which is placed upon a basis, which cannot now 
be subverted. 
