Nansen's Generalship

Dr. Nansen does not attempt to classi f v all the facta collected by himself and lus eolleagnes. Even if time had permitted, the classifieations would prove too technical for the general reader. He inerely indicates these epoch-inaking discoveries, and contenta himself with a deeply absorbing and graphic account of the exciting and perilons experiences through which the men of the "Fram" passed during the period of their unbroken association, and with descrïbing the incidents of the liazardous sledge jourue}' performed by Joliansen and himself. The zigzagging of the "Fram" across the frozen area forma a very peculiar and suggestive Study ; and it is also curious to noto tl i si t at one time the vessel was not far from the "fartherest nortli" point after Naneen and hia lieutenant had left her. It was by means of the sledge-journey however, that record was broken; and.it is this achievement which e ntitles Nansen to the distinction of being ranked as the "Columbus" - or, more correctly, the "Cabot"- of tlie Arctic regions. A century of the Arctic exploration lias yielded fewer resulta than Nansen's fin de siècle journey of three years. The modern Norsemen had, during the first part of the voyage, to battle with precisely the same difliculties as beset the earlier explorers, and when tlie crucial test of courage and endurance was applied, Nansen and bis men were not found wanting. Xot a single life was lost on tliis awful expedition ; and everj' man carne Ijack from the desolate land iu unimpaired vigor of body and mind. Though the narratives of the "Frain's" voyage and the sledge-journey are told with great modest.y, there are great evidences of Xansen's capacity for generalship. He was the stern disciplinarían when occasion demanded, the general comrade, and the resourceful and unflinching antagonist in the hour of danger. It is, indeed, a moving narrative of heroic endeavor which Nansen tells in the simple and direct, yet eloquent, language which carries one onward with afeeling of exhileration. Dr. Nansen talks both huinorously and ))uoyantly, and his pathos doth ring true. With singular felicity he deals with the lighter side of the experiences encountered by the small and deyoted land of explorers. Those wlio have a penchant for. anecdote will fuul plenfy to amuse them in the bear stories, iintl in the desoriptiona of the episodes of every day life on board the "F'ram," when the dreary period of waïting Eor the ice-movemeut liad fairly Si-I