2 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 
find a northerly passage to the wealth-producing East 
Indies. At another time, the efforts of our men were 
urged on by the hope of relieving, or of ascertaining the 
fate of, Sir John Franklin and his crew. It is now 
well established that there is not the slightest chance 
of finding any commercial route in high north lati¬ 
tudes which is likely to supersede those at present in 
use; and we have learnt all, or nearly all, that it is 
possible to do respecting Sir John Franklin and his 
crew. For many years past the English Government 
has relaxed its efforts, and the lead is being taken by 
other nations, such as the Germans, Swedes, Nor¬ 
wegians, Russians, and Americans. We want a new 
motive to rouse up the spirit of the nation and Govern¬ 
ment ; and what higher and nobler one can be found 
than the search for truth and the advancement of 
science ? This is the duty of a government, to pro¬ 
mote the national welfare, and one of the surest ways 
in which this can be done is by encouraging scientific 
efforts. Millions are spent every year upon the navy 
and army, the main result of which is a large estab¬ 
lishment and the performance of routine duty. It would 
cost little, if anything more, to give a large proportion 
of the men work to do, which would develop their 
intellectual and moral faculties, and thereby render 
them not only more useful in peace, but also more 
