But I am of opinion that the most practicable, the most expeditious, and the best mode of exploring the interior regions would be by sea, and by way of the south polar opening, crossing the verge at the low side, in the Indian ocean, where it is presumed the sea is always open, and nearly free from ice. But, as we are residents of the northern hemisphere, the nearness of the north polar opening to us, and the more immediate advantages which would result to us from an intercourse with the countries within the concave to the north, would seem to point out that as the most proper direction to be pursued; though the difficulties to be encountered in passing the verge of the north polar opening, would doubtless be much greater than those of the south, the cold much severer, and the ice more compact and difficult to pass. However, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the object, I think, might be safely accomplished by sailing, either east of Spitzbergen, or between Spitzbergen and Greenland; where, writers, in whom confidence may be placed, inform us, that the sea is open all winter. The greatest difficulty to be apprehended, would be the accumulation of drifting ice in the summer season; but in the winter, that difficulty, perhaps, would not be presented as in the fall or commencement of winter, the ice would attach itself to one shore or the other, and become permanent. The Russians who wintered on Spitzbergen, say that the sea was open during the whole winter, quite across the north end of the island. Several sailors who were once left on an island near Spitsbergen, lived there several years; though destitute of almost every necessary of life, they were not only able to support the cold of the winters, but even to supply themselves with provisions, and light, in those dreary regions. They finally returned in health and safety to their native country and friends. This island is probably as cold as any spot that is known to our sphere. A vessel, almost at any time in summer, could sail to, and remain at Spitzbergen, (having the necessary conveniences on board to make the crew comfortable) for two or three years. They could lie all winter at the north part of the island, and after being there long enough to become acquainted with the nature and changes in the sea to the north of them, they could take some favorable opportunity, and reach the pole, (if the earth be a globe) or the interior concave regions. The distance from the north of Spitzbergen to the pole is only six hundred geographical miles. Another favorable direction for making the discovery is, by Bhering's straits on the north-west coast of America: And an additional advantage which is presented by this direction, is, that if the vessels should be obstructed by, or frozen in the ice, the party could proceed by land on the shore of America, (which is supposed to communicate with the concave regions,) a party remaining with the vessels till the others returned.