The means for a British expedition to the Antarctic Con-
tinent have at last been found. About £40,000 was indis- pensable, and about £15,000 had been raised, but there seemed little readiness to subscribe, and the Government shrank from the proposal to vote a national grant. The Antarctic promises neither gold, nor diamonds, nor slaves; and Englishmen are hardly yet civilised enough to see that to explore this wretched little planet, which is the whole of man's estate, to its utmost limit is a positive duty. On March 22nd, however, Mr. L. W. Longataff, of Blundell, Spence, and Co., manufacturers of chemicals, informed the Royal Geographical Society, in a letter of singular modesty, that he had forwarded a cheque for £25,000, as a gift to be devoted to the purpose, which will now be speedily realised. That is disinterested liberality on the grand scale. Some £20,000 more is still needed to make the expedition as complete as it should be ; and we may suggest to the South African millionaires, who as yet are not well known for their gifts, that now is their opportunity. The land which is the source of their wealth stares at the Antarctic Continent ; and Beitland, Wernher- land, or Robinsonia would sound as well as Rhodesia.
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