Year: 1878

Probably not less than 8 half dozen exploring expeditions will be dispatched to the Arctic Ocean during the present year, says the New York Tribune. Some of them, especially those designed for the northern shores of Asia, may have commercial enterprises chiefly in view but whatever the main object, they all promise an extension of scientific re- search in the frozen zone. More exact

 knowledge is thus sure to be attained of the ocean currents of the north ; of the movement of ice and the chances for open channels of the outlines of land and perhaps of it's unsuspected location in space that is now blank on our maps of polar regions; and of supplies of food and fuel that can support human life on what are at present deemed inhospitable shores. Every fresh portion of such knowledge gained is. 8 help to further progress in the same direction. It is now generally admitted that such pro- gross must be slow. Fortune may, indeed, favor the brave, and unhoped- for chances may prepare the way for direct voyage to higher attitudes than have yet been attained. The ,Polaris missed such an opportunity, it is sup posed, by only few hours, when far up Robeson's Channel. Yetiti is question, if the vessel had gained that advantage and penetrated through an opening in the ice to the unknown regions of land or water beyond, whether the ship or crew would ever have found their way back again.

 The Howgate colony plan concentrates the advantages we have enumerated, along single line of research. It will hold each vantage ground when gained, as the sallying point for new venture Its method is one long recognized in warfare-to keep open communications to the rear When it's stations of succor are established far. up Smiths Sound, the voyage to the north of them will be robbed of half It's terrors. Time will be given thus to seize opportunity. If one summer does not offer an open passage, another may. The North Pole may not thus be reached in three years, or in five, or perhaps in ten but the chances of reaching it and getting back again in safety will at least be vastly increased.

 For many years the leading authorities on Arctic exploration have been ranged in hostile camps. The discussions as to the best routes, that began at the time of the expeditions sent to search for Sir John Franklin's remains. were more numerous than the explorers, and more bitter than the storms they encountered. The controversy over the "open Polar Sea" ragged with fury 8 few years ago, and even now is scarcely quieted. The Howgate expedition ia sfnBuIarly ferses-- nate in gaining approval from nearly all these quarrelsome sages; on this point they at last agree. If it's work is fairly begun this year, it will gain whatever advantage may accrue from an unusually open Winter and early Spring; but to do this it's appropriation must not be delayed month or more in Congress. If so delayed, it may have to wait an other year, and thus be distanced in the race by the expeditions which other nations will send this SumnaeG. Popular feeling undoubtedly favors liberal sup port of this undertaking, and it's expense will be at most mere fraction of the cost of the English expedition under Captain Mares, while there is no risk of its bringing back crews sickened with scurvy, to report the "Pole impracti- cab1e '