A deeply interesting lecture by Captain McClintock besides apparently establishing
the fact almost with mathematical cer- tainty, that none of Franklin's expedition can have survived, also draws attention to a point of the gravest interest. It seems probable that the men of the expedition might have survived for a longer period, but for the fact that the animal food which they were supposed to carry with them in the shape of preserved meats had actually rotted in its cases. It is one of the foulest instances of the manner in which the contract system breaks down. An interesting discussion upon the subject has taken place in the Times, and although it is probable—more than probable—that some contractors can exonerate themselves from the suspicion of having tampered with the existence of their countrymen, the discussion cannot fail to have the greatest use in correcting this fatal degeneracy amongst us. To supply putrid poison for naval men engaged upon. a public duty is to play the part of the enemy and the traitor. Such an act might result in the destruction of a force before the enemy—may even threaten the Empire itself. But glaring as the mischief is in such a ease, it really is scarcely worse than the act of those who, under the guise of selling food, distribute poison to undermine the health of the community. Back from the Arctic regions we have evidence against this vice such as cannot fail to have the most wholesome influence.
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