considerable variation in the state and intensity of the obstructing
cause may occur in various years. There is a probability then, that a
still greater difference might be experienced, affording a practicable
opportunity of getting still more towards the north than in either of
them. How far this probability, not a great one, as Captain King
afterwards suggests, ought to be considered, or how far the
expectation of any benefit arising from it, ought to influence in
directing another similar undertaking, it is not the province of this
work to speculate. But one cannot help remarking, that the Russian
government at least, might not be injudiciously employed in ordering
one or more vessels, properly fitted up, to be kept in readiness at
some port in this distant region of the empire, to take advantage of
any season more suitable than another, for prosecuting the enterprise.
Nay, is it not far from being romantic to imagine, that the two
friendly powers of Russia and Great Britain might actually find a
reward, in the promotion of their mutual interest, by a joint and
well-concerted plan for opening up a communication by any means
betwixt the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans? Both of them, one
should suppose, must be sensible, that the zeal of their intermediate
neighbour (if the expression may be used) the Americans, to discover
the practicability of a connexion, and of course to establish one
betwixt the opposite sides of the new continent, is not likely to
prove altogether fruitless, though perhaps there are still more
formidable difficulties in the way of its exercise. A little time will
probably demonstrate, that these politic republicans have not in vain
emulated the enterprising spirit, or commercial sagacity of the parent
state; and that neither of the other governments just now mentioned,
has fully profited of all the advantages which its possessions have
continued to hold out.--E.