The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-07-27
Another Arctic Expedition.

~SsAA
vessels, the Alert and the Discovery,
started from the hsrbor of Portsmouth,
England, for the Arctic regious. This
was probably the most thoroughly and
appropriately equipped expedition that
ever sailed to the frozen regions of the
North, and scientific men will be greatly
disappointed, if it does not obtain and
bring back large amount of useful in
formation regarding that most interest
ing part of the earth's surface.
The plan on which this expedition is
to proceed is in some respects different
from that of any that has gone before
lit. The great object of Sir John Frank
lin, of Dr. Kane, of DR.. Hayes, and of
others, was discovery in the field of ge
ography; to find the open Polar Sea; to
seek northwestern passage; to mark
the lines of land and water.
This English expedition is not to neg
tect the objects sought by previous ex-
plorers, but it is to devote much greater
attention to investigation in natural his
tory and natural science generally.
We can mention but a few of the diff
ferent subjects on which notes are to be
taken, showing the wide scope Of inqui-
ry that is proposed. Most careful notes
are to be made on the tides. For a
month iG summer and month in au-
tumn the height of the tide is to be re-
corded every hour. Continual obse-va-
tions with the compass are to be made
during all journeys, in order to prepare
certain tables, and verify certain laws,
which will be most useful to sailors all
over the world.
Great hopes are entertained that some
Hight may be thrown, by the researches
of this party, on the causes of the Auro-
ra, or Northern Lights, and the condi-
tions under which it manifests itself so
much more brilliantly in the Arctic re-
gions than elsewhere.
Then there is to be close examination
of the formation of icebergs, of range
of sound in the cold air, Of the length
of pendulum which will swing once a
second-this last being mode of deter,
mining the force of gravity and the
shape of the earth. The species of
plants and animals are to be examined
and collected with extraordinary care,in-
cludng those creatures found in the sea,
and which can only be detected by the
use of strong microscope.
The expedition is expected to be gone
three years. TIE ships are ordered to
reach latitude So. north, or within 8 ,
of the North Pole, next autumn, and
there to 60 into winter quarters. From
this point expeditions are to be made
further north,in sledges and small boats,
as early as possible next year This
plan is an excellent one. 1t is that
which our American explorers first hi.
upon, and which they have shown to the
English to be the best. The large and
well appointed party now on their way
North, will doubtless confirm the valua-
BILE facts brought by our own Hayes and
the late DR.. Hall, and it will be strange
if they do not add much to the general
stock of human knowledge.
At any rate, no pains or expense have
been spared by the British Government
!, in preparing the Alert and the Discovery
to withstand all the tremendous shocks
to which they will be exposed in the icy
regions, in supplying officers well quail
fed to command and to make the requi-
site scientific observations, or in provid-
1 ing vessels and men with the best instru-
ments,fo of the most approved kinds,
and complete instructions for every kind
Of an emergency. The cost of the ex
pedition will be about three-quarters ol
g million dollars. la
i Americans will not begrudge their En-
glish cousins the glory of this Expedi.
ton, especially as this country has point
ed out the way, and thus almost ensured
the success of this splendid enterprise.