The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-11-08
The MytIlic Sea.


cerning a Northern Ocean, whose shores
were the impenetrable barriers Of ice,
and whose waters held life and music
all its own. The Scandinavians remem.
Der the myth, and to this day in Sweden
and Norway and the Northern Islands
the great unknown sea has existence in
the belief of every superstiious mind.
TO US, who reason so philosophically that
nothing is hidden, il was not Geemcd
probable that such body of water did or
cou'd exist; and though many navigators
asserted their belief in the myth, 1t has
mol had sufficient data 10 claim attention.
A few minds, keen from observation and
sagacious from nature. still clung 10 the
ancient story and suffered it not to die.
One Of these minds was DR., Kane, who
now returns home with tidings that the
lost sea is found.
Our readers doubtless pursued the mar
raiive of the Kane Expedition with a
brealhless attention, and from it learned
that the intrepid navigator left his vessel
fast in the almost impenetrable noun
tains Of ice in latitude 78 deg. 45 min.
north, pushing his way in sledges and on
foot to latitude 80 deg 80 min., where he
stood upon the shores Of, TO his eyes, a
limtless sea. Three thousand square
miles did he scan with eye and glass, and
yet no bounds to that expanse Of water
were found; for fifty two hours did a heavy
gale from the north heave up the heavy
surf, and yet it brought down not par
ticle of ice, showing that around the pole
all was ocean life instead of frigid death.
Thus was the veil penetrated: surprise
seized upon the philosophical specuator,
and now the world is busy at the re.
solution of this wonderful problem of
Northern Sea.
lst. The Doctor represents those wa
ters as impid as any summer sea. By
what process in nature can that high lati.
tude so modify the temperature of the
air as to leave the sea unfrozen Where
the Doctor wintered the thermometer
often stood at 60 degrees below zero. and
yet in a i'll more northerly cline there
is a sea which never is frozen. Science
stands slupefed, for all its Axioms are re-
pudiated and new laws are 10 reconcile
the facts to theory.
Cd. Bird and fish life is there existent
in the utmost proiusion. There the awk
and elder duck range in unlimited free
dom, while whales and walrus sport in
such herds as make the waters swarm
with their huge merriment. Can these
all live without proper food ? Does the
duck inlest these regions without its ber-
ries and gra ses and bulbs for susten'
ance ? Here, then, is another query tor
the speculator TO answer, and the myste-
ry of that Northern Sea grows more and
more exciting.
Over the grand ice barrier which Dr..
Kane passed was a new land, and he
called it Washington, giving names also
to the bays and capes. Beyond this is
that sea, and that sea bathes the intangi-
BILE North Pole. it holds the mystery OF
the Northern Lights in its keeping it
keeps the secret Of its own life within IFS
bosom: will man ever solve that secret.
and open up that unknown world We
shall patiently await in hope; for, in our
minds. is vague thought floating that
the sea which whirls around the pole OF
this earth holds in its keeping the key to
a thousand mysteries, and We have faith
to think that in our years--should they
be three score or more-that mylhic sea
shall give up its long kept secrel.-Sa"'
duSky Register.