Searching For The Pole

Adiniral Porter has just -'ritten a letter to Capt. Howgate regardiug the latter's proposed expedition. Inithesays: "In my opinión tliere ia n opeu sea tor 200 miles toward the pole; tliat tli'ere aro mountains, from which are precipitated the icebergs which lately blocked up Robeson's chaimel, and that, liad Markham's furthest point been exceeded by sixty miles, the paek would have been passed and open water reached again. Every few years we must expect just such a pack as Capt. Nares encountered, which will probably last for a year or two, and will then break up. If , at the moment of breaking up, men and boats are in readiness to take advantage of the opportunity, a great advance could bc made toward the pole. Tliere are no greater hardships to be encountered as high as 83 degrees than have lieretofore been surmounted by the intrepid explorers of the Arctic regions, and when one reflects that a party from the Polaris drifted 1,800 miles on a cake of ice, and that an infant and its mother wei-e all that time exposed to the inclemencies of the Arctic regions, we. ought to have no doubt about a company ot strong, active meu, well provided with everything necessary to make life endurablë in tliat desolate región." The letter continúes in substance that the greatest difflculty will be found in keeping up tlie spirits of the men. To do this the Admiral suggests that each member of the crew selected shall havo a knowlcdgc of somo useful mechanica] trade, and that he be kept oeoupied at this when in 'winter quarters. ' ' In the event of snch an expedition as you propose," the letter continúes, " I see a fine opportiuiity for utilizing the electric telegraph. Wïres could be laid along the ground or ice without much danger of their bcing carried off by the bears or foxes." In conclusión, the Admiral states that he can see no objeotion to the proposed expedition, and hopea it may sucoeed.