Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-29
raE NORTH POLE.
The Commander eff the British Ex'
peditIOn on Polar Research. 4.

Iron the London Telegraph. May
Captain Mares, commander of the
Artic Expedition, yesterday delivered a
lecture 10 the Winchester G~uildhall to
the college students and a large and
fashionable audience, upon Arctic dis
coyery and research. DIR. Kidding,
head master Of the college, presided.
Captain Mares said that when once
the Arctic Expedition had started on its
voyage into regions from which no in
formation whatever could be obtained.
there would and there must be an ever
increasing anxietysas to its position and
prospects. They must not consider be
was drawing an exaggerated picture
when he told them Of the sort of life that
was before the 40 men who we're about
10 leave our shores. He was about to do
this BY giving them details Of what he
bad experienced in the expedition that
went out in search Of Sir John Franklin,
the only difference being that from what
was called the edge Of the ice they then
travelled due west, while now, from the
same edge they would travel due north.
They would have the same life to lead,
the ice would be the same, the tempera-
ture the same, and there would be no
more difficulties in going north than
there had been in going west that they
knew of. BE referred to the discoveries
FIRST made by Sir Edward Parry, and the
perfection to which Arctic travelling had
been brought by Sir Leopold McClinteck,
and observed thatthe danger Of the pres
ent expedition became mere child play
when compared with what previous ex-
plcfera had undergone. It vas true that
the ice remained as strong an enemy as
ever, but their chances of returning
home after an accidental crush were
greatly increased. He then pointed out
the difficulties to be encountered in Arc
tic travelling from sea. ice. wind, current,
hummocks and sand. The forthcoming
expedition would leave at the end Of
May, because no other starting earlier
bad parsed through Melville Bay. From
Uppernavik the current collects the ice
in Melville Bay, giving much trouble to
whalers every season. IL he should get
the wind he should be. through very
quickly, but they would probably wait
until the ice was melted as much as nos
sible, and would not make the attempt to
pass through until nearly August, which
was the only nayigable month during the
yearin the Arctic regions. Once through
they would be we'll into the ice. The
gallant captain detailed at great length
many interesting experiences Of Sir Leo
pold McClintock's expedition in search
Of Sir John Franklin, and their discove.
~ OF the missing ship, Investigator.
Describing the system that governed
spring and autumn. travelling tent life.
and other matters, he said the greatest
cold they experienced was 60 deg. below
zero, which was equal TO, "a deg. of cold.
or the same amount Of cold as would
balauee a hot temperature Of l26 deg
When the forthcoming expedition once
got through Melville Bay it would be
pretty certain to attain the pointreaehed
by the Americans, il they experienced
equally fine weather; but this effort
would depend upon the season. Should
they be fortunate enough TO reach eigh-
ty-two degrees, like the Americans, as
easily a Hall did, to which position thew
knew the land extended there was every
prospect that they would be able to get
five hundred miles further, and be still
cut off from the cold. II they then found
land they would only be able to travel
round the shores; but If they found water
he should try and get one OF the ships M
there. The sea ice would be a great
trouble to them, as it thawed very rapid.
ly, and was too thin to work q sledge
upon and too thick to work a boat mon
II vas a holiday trip 10 travel upoh the
glaciers Of Switzerland but he had never
heard of members Of the Alpine Club
making q trip TO the Polar regions of
their " account. The work was very
severe, and nothing but a sense of duty
would carry them through it. Every
man knew t must be done, and not one
would think Of giving In Previous ex.
petitions sent by way Of Smiths Sound.
where the forthcoming expedition would
go, but had not been sufficiently eouin-
ped for travelling. One great trouble
they feared q the soutberly current,
and II they could notgetinto a good bar,
Dor before September, it was very possi-
blethey would drift ignomiuiously and
hopelessly homeward with the current
With Gods help they would do their best
and depend upon it they would not fail
through want Of perseverance.