The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02


graphical science since the British Association last
met at Norwich. My object will be simply to state
the proposed course Of our proceedings in this
ton of the association, and to inform you very
briefly, and by way of Introduction only, on what
particular points We may expect to hear from the
associates or from visitors who honor with their
presence information which may be either new in
itself or may form the basis Of useful discussion by
those present. whether they in the character Of
disciples of the science. Polar discovery
seems by universal to have sort Of prece-
dence In all classification Of recent geographical in
curry and In this branch we cannot expect much
that is new to be laid before our present meeting.
We are now In the midst Of the very brief
season during which an Arctic summer
allows the navigator for few weeks only any
chance Of making fresh discoveries, ana cannot
for some weeks longer hear what measure Of
may have attended attempts like that OF Mr..
Lamont, to extend our knowledge OF the regions
the Great %rcc proDem as to the Existence Of
great open Polar basin and we must not expect too
much The point has been passed at which skill
results In the way OF discoveries In those Each
fresh addition to our knowledge OF the distribution
generally left the difficulties of further discovery
greater than before and while the precautions to be
great as in the days Of Ban or Parry, the results
must depend more than ever on q favorable season,
lucky lane ID the ice or q, on ,, what sportsman
We may however, hope to near something of inter:
est to geographers with regard to the prospects Of
tions for Observing the coming transit OF Venus.
Geographers and astronomers will sympa-
Chancellor Of the Excheauer when he fnds even zen
the heavenly bodies moving Tor o parliamentary
Me may wonder r wsa Mr. Lowe that even
ton to the British Treasury, but may hope that
Parliament. when the Application does come before
WILL mot hA In Tho Anu INF
they viii regard the investigation as one Of really
there win not be wanting Hooker to record the
discoveries Of our philosophers In the antarctic re-
point Of view, even though they S1 may lack the
novelty and thrilling Incidents which made the
voyages OF the Erebus and Terror almost "a exciting
as the most Sensational Of modern works OF fcton.
Directly we leave the immediate neighbOrhOod of
the Polar Seas we come 70 regions where the rest
filing up the vast spaces Of terra inco0ntd which
still exist on our best maps. We may not this year
hope to hear statements Of such Importance as at
former meetings, when Livingstone, Spoke, Baker
and Palgrave enchanted the attention OF the associa
ton with narratives Of recent discoveries
Still believe there are gentlemen present VINO viii
satisfy you that the spirit OF research is not less
sck or
knowledge which, IN the aggregate, are Of vast i'm
pOrtance.
one geographer who Will represent that vast Rus
sian empire whose territories extend in 80 many d.
whose government has long been SO honOraDly DIS
tnguished by the aid 1t has afforded to geographical
science It may, believe be truly sad that along
southern boundary OF the Russian empire In Asia
there are scarcely 100 miles regarding which our
knowledge Is as complete as could be desired; anu
almost every government oficia employed on the
frontier, and every trader who 1t, has the
means Of adding important information to our stock
Of ascertained geographical facts. An increasing
share OF public attention has OF late been directed to
those regions where the southern frontier line Of the
10 mn .har NIT nj
our own Indian empire. The vast space which In
tervenes between our two empires, differing as 1t
does so widely both IN physical aspect and polit
cal condition from those shores Of Eu
rope, s region not unblessed by nature. His
anything save in political condition, since it was
nursery OF great nations, and not only the
cradle OF many conquering and ruling race, but, In
comparatively recent times, centre OF civilized,
active thought Here were nurtured not only kings
and founders of empires but trains Of Thought and
vast systems oil moral and political philosophy,
which have largely subdued and Influenced the
richer regions OF the south and west. What has In
ncted on countries famous such curse that
the solitary traveller who passes through them az
Vanbery did, In disguise Is welcomed among as
one just escaped from almost certain DEATH who has
during his whole soJourn carried his lie In his hand
Surely we must rejoice that the thoughts OF two great
civilized negnborlng nations at length earnestly
directed TO this vast region that longer regard
our neghbor to the north and west OF our Indian
frontier with studied aversion and distrust, as
intercourse with whom mast be discouraged
and prohibited as the only condition on
whlcn we can nope TO avoid being drawn into
desolating wars or embarrassing political alliances
! believe that nothing but good can result from
the attention OF the great statesmen Of Russia aud
OF England oeing directed to the condition OF the
countries which Intervene between our empire In
ASIA Az lar As we are ourselves concerned feel
sure that the peace and good neighborhood
could not be IN better hands Than those OF the able
and enlightened nobleman who now rules over India
AZ .lceroy and geographers may think rest assured
that II Will not be Lord MayOs fault II he fails to
cure that condition OF permanent good neighbor-
mood which both empires most earnestly desire. 1t
ls tne pest guarantee for progress In geographical
science, In all those other branches OF knowledge
aud CIVILIZATION which flourish best in peace, and
,angu,sh or maintain but evered existence IN time
| among US Mr.. Douglas Forsyth, honorably distin-
gulshed among those who, like Captain Montgo-
merry and his fellow laborers. have led the way
| IN geographical discovery to the north OF In
| aia aud contributed TO lift the veil which
mas Ior many generations separated the inhabi-
,ants OF Tartary aud Thibet from those Of India.
l ne wiz give you, hope, much interesting infor.
ia n ~ iexardne the trade routes towards Thbet
anu Eastern ohihese Tartary, and will satisfy you
shas ne Is actuated by sincere desire TO extend the
peaceful domain OF commerce, and, as q handmade
l He Will tell you how much has been accomplished
since humboldt but a few years ago pointed to q
| correct k40wedge or those regions as among the
great desiuerata OF geographical science. He will
ave you tne latest Intelligence OF that enterprsing
and apparently a special favorlte with both ruler
| and people; Times are indeed changed since
| Auoipne SchiaehtWeit only lew years ago be.
came martyr 10 MS zeal for science, and was put
| to death at kashgar almost all his valuable papers
ana OBSERVATIONS being, 1t Is 10 be feared rretrev.
| ably lost. Mr.: Treawney Sanders Will read paper,
| In whlch ne mas combined some OF the latest IN
| formation acquired by Captain Montgomery and his
Intelligent aud enterprlsIng assistants the PuDdts,
| aud applied II 10 Illustrate the general geo.
| graphy OF the Himalayan range Much as
| has been written about that vast chain, It can
| hardly be said that even protested geographers
have any adequate conception OF the bulk and i'm por-
tauee Of that great mountain mass. its length NAV
be said 10 be still almost matter OF conjecture fol
| lts eastern and western termination have both still
TO be defined. lts breadth, as Captain Montgomery
VINO may De said first TO have spanned It, tells u.s.
more than 400 miles at ts narrowest or about eight
times the average width Of the Alps with summit
| ridge the passes over which average about u.s. OO(
ieet IN height Probably many scores OF peaks may
! DO enumerated nlgher Than Mont Blanc. Consider
! ing how long 1t has taken geographers in Europe 70