338 
A VOYAGE TO SFITZBEBGEN. 
way, which has so often ended in delusion and positive 
disaster. Have we not the hooks of Kane and Hayes 
to confirm all that has been said and concealed by our 
own hardy explorers % and besides, have we not seen 
men set out for the Arctic regions who, utterly igno¬ 
rant of the peculiar nature of the navigation of these 
seas, have blundered sadly in spite of the proffered 
assistance of experienced whaling captains ? What can 
be more depressing to' a navy man, than to hear con¬ 
stantly of the errors now become traditional of these 
worthy fellows who bravely toiled through Baffin’s or 
Melville Bay—traditions ludicrous in details that will 
insure their preservation for years to come, amongst 
the whaling community 1 And it is this Smith Sound 
route which still preserves its sway amongst the older 
men of our navy; not, indeed, because they are con¬ 
vinced of its practicability by their own personal 
experience, for this can hardly be the case, if we read 
the Parliamentary reports on the various journeys 
made in search of Sir John Franklin and his party, 
but for some occult reason never fairly given. It 
cannot be because there is less danger to be met with 
by this route, as we have endeavoured to prove. It 
cannot be on the score of expense, for once admit the 
Smith Sound route to be. the favourite of the public, 
who are now thoroughly roused to the question of 
