The Dutch in the Arctic Seas ... Third edition

Front matter

THE DUTCH IN THE ARCTIC SEAS. PKINTRD BY BALLANTVNE, HANSON AND CO. EDINBURGH AND LONDON Km Thr Ihrfih m _W . In/*. lenders Trubner & C? ludoate ///// AC THE DUTCH IN THE ARCTIC SEAS BY SAMUEL RICHARD VAN CAMPEN-F.R.G.S. corresponding member of the dutch andmlterican geographical societies, author of " Holland's silver feast," etc. IN TWO VOLUMES. Haiti) illustrations, jiHaps, & appendix. VOL. I. A DUTCH ARCTIC EXPEDITION AND ROUTE THlR/i EDITION. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. 1S78. [All rights reserved.] A DUTCH ARCTIC EXPEDITION AND ROUTE: BEING A SURVEY OF THE NORTH POLAR QUESTION, INCLUDING EXTENDED CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF DUTCH ARCTIC RESEARCH. BY SAMUEL RICHARD VAN CAMPEN, F.R.G.S. CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE DUTCH AND AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETIES, author of "Holland's silver feast," etc. tJSttliftap ant 3ppm_ij.

THIRD EDITION. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. 1878. [ All rights reserved.] TO THE HONOURABLE BENJAMIN MOHAN, E.E.G.S., UNITED STATES MINISTER AT LISBON, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PERSONAL KINDNESS, HIS LONG AND VALUABLE PUBLIC SERVICES, AND HIS DEVOTION TO LITERATURE, BHjib OT ark IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. " 't Erkentlijk Vaderland, door liefde en vreugd gedreven, Neemt weer zijn kindren op, die uit den dood herleven ; Vergeldt lien, juicht hen toe, strooit lauwren voor ben been, En rekent d' uitslag niet, maar telt het doel alleen." Tollens. " ... La Patrie, avec reconnaissance, Prepare de ses fils la noble recompense, Leur offre des lauriers, et, de leurs grands projets Considere le but et non pas le succ.s ! " Clavareau. CONTENTS. introduction. PAGE Signal part of Holland on the theatre of the world . . 1 Primeval examples in enterprise ... .2 Phœnicians and Phœnicia . . . . .3 Carthaginian vessels ...... 4 Discovery of America ...... 5 The Netherlands and Venice ..... 6 Adventurous voyages of the Northmen . . .7 Discovery of Iceland and Greenland ... .8 Frisians with King Alfred and in the Arctic . . 9

Chapter I. The Grand Modern Exemplar

A geographical problem . . . . .10 The Antarctic and Arctic regions contrasted . . .11 Former objects of Arctic discovery . . . .12 England's prominence in Arctic enterprise . . .13 England and the North-East Passage . . . .14 The North-West Passage the mercantile dream . 15 The Holy Grail to British seamen . . . .16 Searching expeditions inaugurate the new era . . .17 Expedition under Kane, and his wild reckoning . .18 CONTENTS. X

Chapter II

Holland's enterprise and duty. page Attractiveness of the Arctic field . . . .19 Holland and Arctic discovery . . . . .20 An incentive to claim her old position in Europe . . 21 Voyages of Barents and her early navigators . . .22 Holland and modern Arctic research . . . .23 Her sacrifices on the altar of Nile exploration . . .24 The Dutch and Arctic whaling ventures . . .25 Her early landmarks disregarded in the North . . .26 More successful in her nomenclature in the New World . 27 Her enterprise and spirit appealed to . . .28 Her war in the antipodes need not discourage her for the Arctic 29 A counter-argument in her vast home enterprises . . 30 Amsterdam a promoter of Arctic discovery . . .31 Individual enterprise in discovery expeditions . . 32 The " Alert" and " Discovery " contrasted with the early ships 33

Chapter III. Government Expeditions

Value of Government expeditions . . . .34 Importance of naval discipline ... .35 Dangers of Arctic navigation over-estimated . 36 Fascination of Arctic service for seamen . . 37 Important testimony of Dr. Hayes . . 38 Advanced stage of Arctic navigation ... 39 One of the early Dutch expeditions a Government one . 40 States-General closed the record offering a reward . , 41

Chapter IV. Polar Problems

Query as to the solution of the Polar mystery . . 42 The dreams of Golcondas dispelled . . 43 CONTENTS. XI PAGE Results of last American expedition cited . . .44 Robeson Channel and the Northern outlook . . .45 Flight of birds towards the Pole . . . .46 The dumb guides to the Pole the truest ones . . .47 Kane on the " open Polar Sea " .... 48 Illusory discoveries . . . . . .49 Kane's recapitulation of facts . . . . .50 Hayes on the " open Polar Sea " . . .51 Describes the unknown region by the map . . .52 Makes the Pole a large sharer in the mysteries of the universe 53 Argues in favour of an open sea except near land . . 54

Chapter V. Opinions Of The Geographers

Existence of an open Polar Sea among the problems . . 55 Opinions of Drs. Petermann and Chavanne . . .56 Sir Edward Sabine on these questions . . . .57 Opinion of Sir Roderick Murchison . . . .58 Opinions of Lieutenant Maury and the French geographers . 59 Views of Professor C. Wyville Thomson . ... 60 Leading English Arctic authorities sceptical . . .61 Work of the future Arctic explorer . . . .62 The " Alert" and " Discovery " gone forth to serve the world . 63

Chapter VI. The Arctic Revival

Hopes of present English expedition . . . .64 Subject of routes and the revival of Arctic enterprise . 65 Royal Geographical Society of London first to move . . 66 Plan of Captain Osborn . . . . .67 Project of Dr. Petermann . . . . .68 Admiralty then insusceptible to eloquence or argument . 69 Other countries meanwhile awakened . . . .70 CONTENTS. XII PAGE Disappointing results of the German expeditions . .71 France and Gustave Lambert . . . . .72 French expedition by Behring's Straits proposed . . 73 Induced to sketch history of M. Lambert's project . . 74 His scheme laid before the Societe de G6ographie . . 75 Favoured by the learned societies of France . . .76 Encouragement and subscription of the Emperor . . 77 Failure of the Lambert expedition and death of the projector 78 The " Boreal " and M. Malte-Brun's account (in note) . 79 France accredited with gallant intentions . . .80 Renewal of the Arctic question by Captain Osborn . . 81 An advocate of the Smith Sound route in Captain Hall . 82 Departure of the American expedition of 1871 . . 83 Murchison's proposal for a mutual plan of action . . 84 American enterprise by Behring's Straits suggested . . 85 Inducement to American spirit . . . .86 Malte-Brun's summing up of the three projects . . 87

Chapter VII. The Gulf Stream Route

Holland and the route through the Spitzbergen seas . . 88 Indications favourable to the Gulf Stream route . . 89 The Gulf Stream argument itself employed . . .90 An argument in the downward drift of the " Resolute " . 91 Rule applied to upward current in the European Polar seas . 92 The thermometric gateway across Barents' path . . 93 First Poleward attempt in the route of the Gulf Stream . 94 Weyprecht and Payer's report .... 95 Result favourable to the Novaya Zemlya base . . 96 Experience of Mack and Johannesen ... 97 Accidental discoveries which these exploits led to .98 The " Resolute " and " Tegethoff " drifts . . 99 Encouraging and forcible language of Professor Maury . lot) A work worthy to engage the national energies . . 101 The Gulf Stream route long ago appropriated by the Dutch . CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter VIII. The Early Dutch Whalers

PAGE A moot question ...... 103 Master Moxon and the high latitudes . . 104 Wood's voyage and discomfiture .... 105 Daines Barrington and the early accounts . . . 106 Captain Osborn's apology for them . .107 High latitudes of Dutch and English skippers 108 Statements not sustained by authentic proof . . 109 Logical theory of the Dutch whalers .... 110 Burgomaster Witsen and Roule's voyage . .111 A good suggestion in a couplet ..... 112

Chapter IX. The Arctic Barrier And Gulf Stream

Uncertainties of approach to the Pole . . . .113 Necessity for an alternative route . . . .114 Reasons for first inclining to the Gulf Stream . . .115 Gulf Stream itself worthy of investigation . . .116 Historical illustrations applied to the Gulf Stream . . 117 The Stream a marvel since Dr. Franklin's time . .118 Its wonders attested by all scientific observers . .119 Professor Wyville Thomson on the Gulf Stream . . 120 Mr. James Croll's array of figures .... 121 Heat of the Gulf Stream otherwise illustrated . . .122 Tempers the climate of North-Western Europe . 123 Origin according to Dr. Franklin and Wyville Thomson . 124 Humboldt and D'Aubuisson cited .... 125 The North Atlantic compared to a bath . . . 126 The downward current along Greenland . . . 127 Professor Buff and Mr. Findlay on the Gulf Stream . 128 A contradiction of authorities ..... 129 United States Coast Survey investigations . . . 130 Sir Charles Lyell on the Gulf Stream . . . .131 Opinion of Dr. Carpenter . . . . .132 Dr. Carpenter and Professor Wyville Thomson . . 133 Dr. Carpenter on the Gibraltar currents . . . 134 Captain Bent's explanation of Dr. Carpenter's theory . .

CONTENTS. XIV PAGE Dr. Carpenter's theory discussed . . . .136 Regarded to conflict with law of the earth's rotation . . 137 An alarming question raised . . . . .138 America might cause England to become a Labrador . . 139 Sir Charles Lyell leaves the result to nature and time . 140 Lieutenant Maury on the Gulf Stream . . . 141 The sum and substance of Maury's hypothesis . . 142 Additional agencies admitted as helps to cause the Gulf Stream 143 Dr. Carpenter and Maury not so widely apart . .144 Philosophical arguments applied to the streams and currents 145 Professor Maury on the Thermometrie theory . . . 146 Testimony of the counter-current .... 147 Gulf Stream might reach the Pole with heat to spare . . 148 Force and heat evidently not exhausted at the Arctic barrier . 149 Author's object requires the Spitzbergen alternative . . 150

Chapter X. The Alternative Route

Gulf Stream and Alternative routes defined . . . 151 Doubts as to an open way by the Gulf Stream . . 152 Dr. Petermann on a penetration to the Pole with ships . 153 Lessons of experience opposed to too hopeful views . . 154 Reason rather than Theory when staking human lives . 155 The Polar ice-pack a barrier hitherto unpenetrated . 1 56 Attempts to reach the Pole by Spitzbergen cited . . 157 Experience of Nordenskiold and the English yachtsmen . 158 Parry's effort and " open " seasons .... 159 A hopeful glance at the Novaya Zemlya base . . . 160 Captain Allen Young on the Novaya Zemlya base . .161 The "Diana" and "Tegethoff" in Novaya Zemlya waters . 162 Spitzbergen as a base of operations . . . .163 Superiority of Spitzbergen on many accounts . . . 164 The screw-steamer in ice navigation . . .165 Drifting ice-pack and open and close seasons . . .166 Query as to Parry's navigable sea .... 167 Proctor on the Spitzbergen route . . . .168 Parry's experience pointed to . . . .169 CONTENTS.

XV PAGE Sketch of Parry's famous attempt . . . .170 The " Discovery" and "Enterprise" manned aud started . 171 The Herculean Poleward struggle . . . .172 Nordenskiold's attempt north of Spitzbergen . . .173 Parry's belief in the practicability of his route . .174

Chapter XI. Practical Questions

Holland's long abandonment of the Spitzbergen region . 175 Comparatively slight expense of an expedition by Spitzbergen 176 Motive for a Dutch expedition ..... 177 Foreign ignorance of Holland . . . . .178 Government direction by Spitzbergen not absolutely required 179 Comparative certainty of important discoveries . . 180 Plan of adhering to the ship preferred .... 181 Hopes also from a sledge-and-boat enterprise . . . 182 Extensive lands in the Polar regions . . . . ] 83 Dr. Petermann's configuration of Greenland . -184 Smith Sound as a safety resort . . . . .185 English plan of approaching the Pole .... 186 Preference for ship-exploration . . . . .187 Sir James Ross in the Antarctic seas . . . .188 One of the practical questions ..... 189 Risks of Arctic adventure equalled by the rewards . .190 Important address to the King of the Netherlands . 191 Polar voyages urged in the interest of the Dutch merchant marine ....... 192 Hopes even of a commercial route via the North- East . 193 The Dutch geographers and Arctic work . . .194 Sir John Barrow and the cui bono of Northern voyages . 195 Mr. Markham's appeal to the old Dutch spirit . 196

Chapter XII. Anticipated Results

Valuable scientific results inevitable . . . .197 Summary of sciences to be benefited .... CONTENTS. XVI PAGE Geography and cosmography first to derive advantage . 199 Hydrographical results . ■ . . . • • 200 Phenomenon of the oscillations .... 201 Advantage to the science of geodesy ' . . . . 202 Magnetical and electrical results .... 203 Solar and stellar chemistry ..... 204 Spectrum analysis and the aurora .... 205 Observations on the climate at the Pole . . . 206 Meteorological results ...... 207 Results in the department of zoology .... 208 Polar animal kingdom and bird life .... 209 Geological and palæontological results . . . 210 Advantage to mineralogical science ..... 211 Ethnographical science interested .... 212 Botanical results from Arctic research . . . .213 Ethnology. A supposed Arctic race .... 214 Grotius on the origin of the far Northern races . . 215 The modern Eskimo ...... 216 Bancroft's ethnological classification of the Eskimo . . 217 Picture of the Eskimo's life . . ... . 218 Interest to anthropological science .... 219 Sum of ethnological opinions ..... 220 Important scientific bearings of Polar research . . 221 Government rewards suggested for Arctic exploration . 222

Chapter XIII. Conclusion

Recapitulatory observations .... 223 Appeal to Holland ..... 224 The old way of Barents left to Netherlanders . . . 225 New inspiration from the story of the old voyages . . 226 Appendix — Chronological Table of Arctic Voyages . 227 Index ...... .249

Preface

TO THE THIRD EDITION. The publication of the second or historical portion of this work being unexpectedly delayed, the re vision of the present volume is postponed until that shall appear. Meanwhile, to meet a demand for the volume in its original form, previous edi tions being exhausted, a Third Edition is now offered to the public ; nor will it still, the author hopes, be found a wholly inadequate survey of the North Polar question. The return of the English Expedition is the most important event affecting this question that has occurred since the volume appeared ; and the conclusions which most Arctic scholars have arrived at in looking at the results of that expedition have, it may be observed, in variably tended to strengthen the arguments made use of here, and the direction favoured is the direction now advocated by the commander of the late expedition as the one of greatest promise for Arctic explorers. One of the principal objects, moreover, of the present volume having been the renewal of Dutch Arctic research, it is no little satisfaction to the

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. XVI author to be able to state here that a Dutch expedition has within the past year been organised, and the ides of May will see the ship "Wilbam Barents," only recently launched at Amsterdam, on her way to the far North, to retrace the steps of the navigator whose name is thus fitly comme morated. The expedition will be under the com mand of the Dutch naval officer, J. J. de Bruyne, assisted by Lieutenants L. B. Koolemans Beynen and H. M. Speelman, together with other scientific officers and experts ; and the revisiting, after three centuries, of these regions by Hollanders, and the thorough exploration in the light of modern science of the Barents Sea and surrounding waters, cannot fail to prove a work of real importance. If it has been agreeable to here allude to this renewal of Dutch Northern enterprise, so directly striven for, hardly less gratifying is it to the author to be able to note also the proposed following up of the route specially advocated in this volume by the new " Pandora" expedition (sailing under the American flag, and with the distinctive aim to reach the Pole), as being but another of the results of a movement which it has perhaps in some degree been his to promote ; while the assured despatch of the American expedition by Smith Sound, and of the new expedition of Nordenskiold, are matters not to be overlooked in the interests of Arctic investigation. London, S.W., April 11, 1878.

PREFACE.

. In introducing the following work to the reader, some explanation is perhaps advisable respecting its origin ; especially as in it (particularly in Volume I.) is involved, in a measure, the his tory of a public cause, or at least what the writer has wished might become such. Should the rela tion, however, embrace too much of the ego, I trust the reader will be indulgent, since these Dutch labours, albeit labours of love towards a venerated ancestral nation, are certainly not undertaken with out some personal sacrifice and self-denial. Volume I. is the greatly amplified result of the first of two short articles — the second applying similarly to Volume II. — which appeared in the " Transatlantic " magazine of July and August last, under the general heading which forms the title of the present work, and were inspired by the revival ' of the spirit of Arctic research in vol. i. 6*

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. XVIII England, and the desire I felt to see a similar spirit awakened after so long a repose in Holland. It was speedily found that to investigate the field of Dutch Northern enterprise alone at all thoroughly would involve no small amount of research. But I had proposed to myself a much wider field than this in view of the advocacy also of a modern Dutch expedition. This fact seemed to necessitate a glance at the whole North Pole question, and consequently involved the gleaning of data from the vast mass of literature existing upon this subject generally, the extent and formidability of which, for the thorough investigator, may be said to be only comparable to that which, in another way, the Arctic navigator is but too certain to encounter in the vast and formidable ice-fields of the Polar regions ; for the far Northern voyages, however fruitless of results in other respects, con sidered as to their definitive aims, have rarely failed to add something to the accumulating mass of lite rature on this subject.

These remarks, however, apply more particularly to my researches since this book was resolved upon ; and my later investigations have caused me to modify my views somewhat in one or tw*o respects. If I ever entertained any other than serious views

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. XIX of the kind of enterprise which calls men from com fortable homes and genial climes to frozen and inhospitable latitudes, I now regard Arctic exploration more as work and less as play than I did even when the gaily-decked "Alert" and "Dis covery " left the shores of England with a nation's benedictions. Of the original brief papers more notice was taken, particularly in Holland, than I could have hoped for ; and I have to acknowledge here very encouraging letters from several of the savans, and even statesmen of the Netherlands, whose congratulations upon my having taken up this subject were highly to be prized. I may even mention the very cordial recognition of my too trifling services thus far by Mr. N. W. Posthumus, the Secretary of the Dutch Geographical Society, whose own zealous efforts for a renewal of Arctic enterprise on the part of his countrymen have been highly appreciated, and whose natural interest in this subject caused him, perhaps, the more readily to welcome a " medestrijder " from without.

Nor should I omit mention of encouraging words received from Lieutenant Koolemans Beynen, of the Dutch Royal Navy, speaking for himself and Commodore Jansen ; which were the more welcome since the former officer per sonifies, if one may so say, the principle of modern

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. XX Dutch Arctic enterprise, having himself accom panied Captain Allen Young on his " Pandora " cruise last year to Peel Strait, and is now contem plating a repetition of the voyage with the gallant Captain in the present season. To the editor of " Het Vaderland" at the Hague I am especially indebted. Prior recognitions of humble labours on my part of a more strictly patriotic character relating to Holland having come to my knowledge, I ventured to send to that paper the magazine containing the article advocating a Dutch expedition ; also a copy of the *' European Review" (of July 24, 1875) containing an article on the same subject, invited by its editor (Mr. Blanchard Jerrold), who had considered the sub ject as one which might fairly be regarded as of public interest. Both these articles were favour ably noticed by " Het Vaderland," which quoted from the latter anonymous article the concluding and most considerable paragraph, in which I had gladly recognised the fact " that enterprise " — albeit not of the kind I was then urging upon their attention — " was not dead among the Netherlanders, nor, indeed, the spirit of discovery ; " and also the following loyal expressions, which I venture to say were penned and quoted with equal pleasure : —

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. XXI " Whatever pertains to the arts and sciences in their higher as well as in their common forms and applications, is sure of finding a ready recognition on the part of the royal family of Holland. London, so recently favoured with the presence of the Queen of the Netherlands, needs not to be acquainted with the fact of her Majesty's peculiar interest in matters of high public concern, nor have we reason to believe that the resumption of Dutch Arctic exploration would be at all unwelcome to her. It is not unknown in geographical circles, moreover, that Prince Henry of the Netherlands, the patron and honorary president of the Dutch Geographical Society, takes a lively interest in questions germane to this which we would now urge upon the consideration of Hollanders. And what more fitting enterprise than an efficiently organised and well-equipped Government Arctic expedition could there be, to crown the pyramid of giant under takings which have characterised the rule of the restored dynasty, and particularly the twenty-six years' reign of King William III. ?

" These acknowledgments on the part of one of the leading papers of the Netherlands I could not fail to appreciate highly, and I embodied my thanks in a letter to the editor, which he was good enough to publish, supplying it with the exceptional Dutch feature of a heading indicating its subject ; and perhaps a translation of the principal paragraphs of the letter may be appropriately quoted here as a part of the " history." " It was to me an agreeable task to pen those pages [the magazine article], hoping as I did that they might serve to incite the Dutch nation to take its place once more in the field of Arctic enterprise. I was, moreover, strengthened in this labour by the certainty I felt that the wish, at least, could not but be shared by some of the pat riotic and enlightened citizens of the Netherlands.

" In the course of my somewhat extended Dutch researches in the British Museum, the part early enacted by the Netherlanders as, next to the English, the greatest maritime people, could not escape

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. XXII my notice ; and the organisation of an English Arctic expedition drew my attention to the service Holland has performed in the special province of Arctic research. Unfortunately, however, the memorable deeds of the Dutch are in this respect wholly confined to the proud era of the old Republic— to the days of Maurice and of Frederick Henry. At a time, therefore, when neighbouring states — including some but now for the first time seeking recognition among naval powers, and, strictly speaking, interior states — are rallying their forces for an onslaught upon the vast terra incognita of the North, thoughtful and proud-spirited Netherlanders cannot but ask themselves whether they are not neglecting their duty, so long as the fatherland of Barents and Heemskerk remains behind. In those days of grand adventure, wherein Holland boasted a score of peerless navigators, and dotted the habitable globe with her colonies, the more distinctive aims of the seafaring nations were to add territory to their primal limits, and bring wealth to the coffers of the State.

"Now, at least, as applying to Arctic Discovery, this grain of selfishness is no longer apparent. It is at the call of science, of advancing civilisation, that England has sent forth her promising expedition via Smith's Sound. For England's old rival on the seas, the track of Barents remains invitingly open. Lag behind or fail to avail herself of this she must not. And ' a spirit ' — to conclude with words elsewhere employed — ' whose high courage, unyielding as the ice he encountered, was in the appreciation and pursuit of duty equal to adamant itself, such as that which William Barents reveals in his work for the admiration of all the ages, beckons with resistless power to the Netherlanders of to-day to take up once mpre the path of honourable distinction, and renew in the records of the world's progress the glorious deeds of the fathers.' " My thanks are also due to Colonel D. D. Muter (to whom, in earlier numbers of the " Transatlan tic," the author is indebted for the first encourage ment to his pen) for enabling these Netherland notices to do double duty, by giving them in his weekly journal, and for editorially encouraging

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. XXIII the enterprise. Nor are my obligations less great to the editor of the " Geographical Magazine " for a generous recognition of my earlier labours for the revival of Dutch Arctic research. In the autumn of last year, at the friendly suggestion of Mr. Nicholas Trubner, I sent through the latter one of the original papers to which I have alluded to the editor, Mr. Clements Markham, offering the articles to his magazine • quite conscious myself, however, of their being in everything but their subject unsuited to its pages. The papers were courteously declined ; but the editor added to the refusal a suggestion most acceptable to me — viz., " I should, however, be very glad to insert a letter from you, urging the propriety of the despatch of a Dutch Arctic expedition, and a renewal of the enterprises of Holland in a field where she formerly won such renown." , .

The letter was accordingly written, and found a place in the January number of the " Geographical Magazine." I venture to reproduce it here. The Revival of Dutch Arctic Exploration. To the Editor of the " Geographical Magazine." " Sir, — The interest with which you view whatever relates to geographical research may warrant me in addressing you for the purpose of urging the propriety of the despatch of a Dutch Arctic Expedition, and a renewal of the enterprises of Holland in a field where she formerly won such renown. This subject is one in which

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. XXIV I have taken particular interest ; and late recognitions of its import ance encourage the belief that an appeal through your pages may prove of great weight. Perhaps, too, one may, as a citizen of what was once known as New Netherland, speak with not less hope of being heard, next, at least, after one of their own nationality ; and certain I am that the country which boasts its Kane, its Hayes, and its Hall among explorers of the American Polar regions, and as the real pioneers of the promising route chosen for the present English Expedition, would rejoice not less than England to see the country men of Linschoten, of Heemskerk, and of Barents awaking to re newed zeal in this field, and emulating their old adventurous spirit and activity. " There is no doubt that the Dutch possess to a remarkable degree the qualifications essential to the successful prosecution of Arctic investigation.

Habituated from the infancy of their nation to battling with the waves, their many discovery enterprises, and their widespread colonisation of the globe, has accustomed them to distant voyages, and upon almost every sea ; and if for upwards of two centuries they have surrendered to other countries all practical scientific efforts in the far Northern waters, they have, to reinspire them to Arctic enterprise, a heritage of brilliant deeds in past times. Though limited to a short period, the literature of the Dutch de scriptive of their Northern voyages is perhaps the richest of any nation's in truly romantic and thrilling story. What country, in deed, has not adopted into its language Gerrit de Veer's faithful narrative of the three voyages of Barents ? And what Hollander is not stirred to the very soul by the grand poem of Tollens, portray ing, in graphic verse, the scenes of the memorable third voyage, and the wintering in Novaya Zemlya ?

Thus, in both their prose and poetic literature have the Dutch immortalised their Arctic heroes. The fame, moreover, of that early authority in magnetic and cosmo graphic lore, the indomitable Plancius, who spurred his countrymen on to the renewal of efforts officially stayed by the States-General, will endure so long as the literature of the Netherlands shall remain to furnish for it a fitting shrine. But now another Plancius is needed to ineite the slumbering ardour of the Dutch to new enterprise — another Barents to follow up and complete the researches of the first. The enthusiasm of the race that gave to the world such men sleeps for the moment, awaiting, it may be, the distinct and persuasive utteranee of tongue and pen, gifted with true eloquence, to call it