National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-03-07
Arctic Exploration.

To the generality Of mankind the fas
cination which leads so many to taxi
part in arctic exploration IL incomprc
hcnsiblc. Even those who see some
method in Livingstones madness, cal
discover nothing TO justify the riskini
of life and treasure in efforts to pene'
tratc the frozen zone, which must even
remain impracticable for human uses.
But TO the men of science, the question
of the prospective discovery of the pole
and the results which may flow from it, if
fraught with an interest that has attach
ed to few other Of the great cosmic in
designations. Who knows what meteor
illogical and magnetic mysteries may
not be solved when that hidden region
shall have been peirced what zoologi-
cal and chronological secrets may not be
divulged There may lie the key to
the laws of storms, of atmospheric and
oceanic currents, and Of the tides. Be-
hind that frozen barrier there may be
placid seas and warmer regions rich in
animal and in vegetable life There
may still exist genera and species long
supposed to be extinct, and perhaps
vestiges and remains of man cut off for
ages from communication with his kind.
The possibility that all or any of these
mysteries may be unlocked By him who
first shall enter that charmed region,
lends n fascination to arctic exploration
not easily appreciated by the masses,
and in comparison with which the perlls
and hardships incident to it are reckon
ed MS of little account. This, rs well rs
~ l.. L. -,
kind, is what leads men yearly to tempt
those inlospitable climes, and attracts
ability and skill from easier paths to in
vestigations attended only by privatlOn
and danger. Since the days when the
keels of the Mortimer first
ploughed those seas, nearly all civilized
nations have interested themselves in
the arctic problem. The ships of Venice
and of England long sought there the
mythical northwest passage to the In
dies; Danes, French, and Dutch, emu
ous of the Spaniards, who monopolized
the other routes, pursued the quest
with energy and zeal, some seeking the
passage from the east and some from
the west Russians tried to penetrate
lorthward through Siberia, and by ship
through Behring's Straits and later,
when this commercial dream was ended
md science alone demanded further ex-
)loration, England sacrificed some of
Ter noblest sons on the altar of polar
Investigation. America, too, has not
been behindhand in adding to the
worlds knowledge Of those desolate re-
lions. Even now Captain Hall and his
are Drawing the rigors of the
rctic seas in the hope, not vain one
We trust, of being the first to reach the
pen waters and perhaps the pole itself
Worthy competitors from Sweden, Nor
ray, Austria, Russia, and England, are
n the field, striving to reach the coveted
oal through different paths. 1t is prob
BILE that some one of these parties will
olive the long mooted question of the
xistence of an open polar sea. Most
f the precedent geographical doubts
ave been cleared up by the numerous
xplorers before them, so that undivi-
ed attention can be given to the great
If it be not settled now,
cience may well fear that difficulties,
nsurmountable by human skill and
lie in the way.