, 1877-01-03
IS THE N~ORTH-POLE PRAC.
TICABLE
British Mssc0nsste Gaxesss.)


TIE great fact, iR an engineering sense.
discovered by Captain Mares, was shAs
coal abounded 10 ample qusntity within q
: moderate distance OF the point his ship
was able to reach. Now, coal yields the
Very products which are wanted for .
prosecution Of tAe journey beyond II
gives heat, it gives light, aud IL gives
power, ell Of which were deficient in the
method adopted by Captain Mares. The
men could scarcely live ia che severity OF
che Gold nearly half q year was lost from
che Disappearance Of daylight; and abe
endeavour to pass the interesting ridges
OF ice by the force Of limbs was completely
frustrated. II the matter were entrusted
TO % engineer, the frat step, on bic Srri-
val ct the spot, would be to establish o
eolliery. at tie c?alfsId.
The place would then b. lighted up With
gas, and arrangements. would easily be made
FOR preventing the men suffering from ftoss,
These preliminary measursS being osfrlsd out
she traction engine. With or without rAils. would
be brought iato play, It Is believed possible
60 construct 90 engine 80 armed With Zoe cutters
as TO-. make shoyA work OF the ridges which
obsstuoS the dragging along OF Slelghs.
ElLUWT 6No @&uAo cuSlh0 WuICu 8I&pklCu W461
Ahis difficulty, or another sent 10 ite rear, might
draw q train Of carriages sufficient to contain
the number of men and stores of provisions and
Implements requisite for The completion Of The
undertaking. The train might be lighted Vith
cas, a. shoss are on the Metropolitan lines,
and the carriages warmed to any degree by
steam from che boiler, on the plan adopted BY
che railways In Germany. Provided che
pioneer engine proved equal TO is purpose. the
party Of explorers would be conveyed along Me
route 10 positive comfort. = They would run
no tisk either Of frost bites, OF bodily injuries,
OF Of suffering from deficiency Of supplies.
They might take their meals With ease and
regularity, might sleep as much 40 they wished,
and might perform all the multlfarious offices OF
washing, dressing, etc., without being exposed
20 either the diff oultlss or the dangers attendant
ON q pedestrian journey over the Toe. Instesd
of having me temperature seventy degrees
below zero, the engineers party might keep 10
at the level OF q well-warmed room, e7cspI
when en- gagged in what may be called outdoor
operations, and then they would have the
carriages by sheir side. to be used as placss Of
YAfu &c 10 every emergency. ANY man falling
iii, or becoming exhausted or Injured, could
thus be provided for almost 81 we'll as il he
wsrs in d place containing @ good hospital. In
fact. supposIng The party could suooosd IN
RuHnlbA VAW0tNe ~ AUN0Ob0OAC cPSCuG v0Oy
might go 10 the Pole and back several times
over In the number of months IL has saken
Captain MARES not TO gss there al all.
Such is the picture which Mr.. Newton
opens 90 our view but, like most things
in this world, it is not without certain
drawbacks. In the first phase, she under
taking would be attended with great exc
penss !; and, az it could otter no pecunisry
advantage. individuals would not be likely
TO End the necessary money. Application
would have to be made to some Govern.
ment for funds, and the question would
then arise whether the expedition prcn's-
ed to be worth its cost. Heavy sums have
already been spent on Polar exploration,
and the only return they have brought is
the knowledge that the Attic region con-
sists Of one desoIate expan:e Of ICE. y
any Government prepared to expend still
larger, amounts in order to have this
knowledge opfrmedi This is the 6rss
point of d. bit ; and next comes the un-