Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/34

xxvi as mutually to assist each other. With this view we have directed the hydrographer to furnish you with such parts of the instructions usually given to surveying vessels as may lead to the more clear and satisfactory expression of those shores which you may have to examine.

The South Shetlands, or the Orkneys, or perhaps the Sandwich Islands, and lastly, the Falklands, will probably terminate your magnetic labours in the antarctic seas; and if at those latter islands you should not receive further orders from us, you will return to England by such a route as you may think most conducive to the ruling object of the expedition.

In an enterprise of the nature which has been briefly stated in these orders, much must be left to the discretion, temper, and judgment of the commanding officer; and we fully confide in your combined energy and prudence for the successful issue of a voyage, which will engross the attention of the scientific men of all Europe. At the same time we desire you constantly to bear in mind our anxiety for the health, the safety, and the comfort of the officers and crew entrusted to your care.

We also caution you against allowing the two vessels to separate; and we direct you to appoint, not only a sufficient number of well-chosen rendezvous, but to keep up the most unreserved communication with the Commander of the Terror, placing in him every proper confidence, furnishing him with a copy of these orders, and acquainting him from time to time with all your views and intentions for the execution of them; so that the service may not only have the full benefit of your united efforts in its prosecution, but that in case of unavoidable separation, or of any accident to yourself, he may have the advantage of knowing, up to the latest period, all your ideas and intentions.

We also recommend that a frequent change should take place of the observations made in the two ships, in order that any scientific discovery made by the one, should be