The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-08-26
The North Pole.

What is the pole2 A point without
magnitude, one extremity of the axis on
which the terrestrial sphere revolves,
without length, breadth, or thickness.
The interest which attaches to it is not so
much geographical as scientific. A por-
ton of the earth's surface, exceptionally
situated, viii, if the expedition which
recently sailed from England should be
successful, for the first time In the his
tory of mankind be viewed under certain
extreme and very singular aspects. The
phenomena which will be there observed
must be of an altogether special charac-
ter, and may possess an important re-
lation not only to the present condition
but to the past history of our planet.
Whether the area around the north pole
consists of an open sea, as some have
plausibly coniectured, or of thrilling
regions of thick-ribbed ice, no one can,
on any certain data, venture to affirm.
One thing only is indisputable the sun,
in its apparent course through the heav-
ems. will be seen to revolve with uni
form altitude above the horizon from the
day on which it comes north of the equa-
tor until it returns
And, as he nearly dips his flaming orb,
Wheels up again and re-ascends the sky"
The sun at the poles illumines day of
an equal period of total darkness,
"When, for relentless months, continual night
Holds DER the glittering waste her starry reign"
The problem to be solved, or at least at
tempted, possesses rare fascination for
more than one class of minds. The great
continents of the world, Europe, Asia,
and America, which differ in SO many re-
spects, have each it's northern boundary
at about the SEVENTEEN degree Of lati-
tude, penetrating the artic circle, and
there stopping, where the struggle for
life becomes too severe. But man, as his
tory informs us. loves to trespass upon
forbidden ground That great circle
which has the north pole for its center,
and l 200 miles of more OF less icy sea
for its radius, has for nearly three cen
turtles attracted the enterprising spirits
of surrounding nations. Commerce and
adventure have led their respective fol-
lowers into its ice-bound interior from
every portion of the circumference. The
hale-fshery originated in the discoveries
VI hAAOL otlleA
the minds of sailors with the nature of
the arctic dangers and the means of over
coming them. Holland, Eng'and Nor
way, Russia, the United States, and
more recently Austria, have played their
respective parts in the invasion of the
unknown region. The islands Of Green
land, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and New ST.
IBERIA have been visited and mapped by
the efforts Of several nations. England,
in the search for northwest passage,
has explored and surveyed the great
arctic archipelago which lies to the north
ward of North America, extends for / 900
miles from east to west, and reaches
nearly half way to the northern pole. 1t
has been established by numerous ex-
perime1lts that the eightieth degree of
north latitude may be reached in a few
weeks, in various directions, almost any
year and several explorers, English and
American, have managed, on sledges or
afoat, to get still nearer the pole by 100
or 200 miles. The English expedition is
well equipped with the means for MAX
ing long Journeys over the ice.-Harp-
e9.'S BOz0f'