6 
SUPPLEMENT. 
it necessary, for the more complete comprehension of the subject 
in all its relative bearings, to trace the extent of the scientific 
objects that were gained bv the expedition, and thence arrive at 
the true standard at which it ought to appear in the public 
opinion. Relying upon the veracity and authenticity of the 
sources from which our information was drawn, we, from the very 
outset of the work, hesitated not to express our most decided 
opinion, that the value of the discoveries so vaunted by Capt. 
Ross, in his official letter to Capt. Elliot,was to science in general 
of very small amount; and that had it not been that Commander * 
Ross accompanied the expedition, the general result of the voy¬ 
age would have been more insignificant and worthless than that 
by which any of the former Arctic voyages had been distin¬ 
guished. To the discovery of the continent and isthmus of 
Boothia Felix, we attach nearly the same consequence as to the 
discovery of Sancho Panza’s island of Barrataria, and we have no 
reason to doubt, that it is still to be found in existence some¬ 
where about the 73d degree of north latitude ; although we are 
acquainted with those belonging to the expedition, who have 
some faint remembrance of Capt. Ross once going on shore, and 
sticking up a pole, with a bit of red bunting appended to it, and 
the report was then current, that he had been acting in the cha¬ 
racter of a godfather to the territory, which was hereafter and 
for ever more to bear the latinised name of his generous and 
patriotic friend. It may, however, be said to be almost beyond 
the range of probability, that it will ever be trodden again by a 
European foot, and that even as an addition to our geographical 
knowledge, the intelligence which Capt. Ross has brought home 
with him, respecting its situation, extent, and natural productions, 
is of so vague and indefinite a character, as to render it a task 
of no small difficulty to future geographers to know in what man¬ 
ner to describe it. In regard to his discovery of a number of 
islands, rivers, and lakes, according to his statement in his letter 
* We are well aware, at the time when we are writing these pages, that Com¬ 
mander Ross has received from the Admiralty his well-earned promotion; but to 
distinguish him as Capt. Ross would lead to a misunderstanding as to which of 
the two officers we alluded. 
