HANSEN'S FAREWELL SPEECH IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1316, 20 May 1897, Page 10

HANSEN'S FAREWELL SPEECH IN ENGLAND.

The Duchess of Teclc and the Countess Lowenhaupt were present on March 24 at St. James 5 Hall when, before % crowded audience, Dr Nansen recited for the last time in London his thrilling adventures " Across the Polar Region." After the lecture, which was listened to with the closest attention, the chairman, EearAdmiral A. H. Markham, proposed a vote of thanks to Dr Nansen, and Sir George Baden-Powell, in seconding, remarked upon the explorer's unassuming manner both in public and in private life. He re-echoed everybody's sentiments when he bade Dr Nansen " Paa gjeusyn," which meant "Au revoir " ; in English it was " We })art from you on the distinct understanding and the hope that we shall very soon see you again." (Cheers.) Dr Hansen, in tho course of returning thanks, said : —lt is, I think, a proof of the heart of the British nation to receive a foreigner in tho way in which you have received me. It may be that it is, perhaps, also a proof that science has no native land —or, rather, that the native land of science is the world. Still, I daresay it has been something more; it may bo a proof of the sympathy which exists between your nation and mine, a sympathy which has lasted long, and which I sincerely hope will live, and, if possible, even increase. (Cheers.) I can assure you that the cordial way in which you have received me has been not only a great pleasure to me, but I esteem it as tho highest honour I could possibly have received, for it comes, as I have often said, from that nation which has always been in the front rank in exploration, which has really created arctic exploration, and has produced the first and noblest of explorers. I know I am but the mouthpiece of my own nation, when I thank you for tho cordial way in which you have received a son of Norway. I know at home they regard tho British nation as kindred to their own, and I' am glad to say I have ■ found in the United Kiagdoni that you on

; your part regard Norway as a kindred nation. (Loud cheers.) We have blood in common. lam proud to say that you have a good portion of blood from Norway, and it may be that it has been of some help to you. (Laughter and cheers.) We have followed in'your footsteps as well as we could, and I feel gratified to know that you recognise what little we have done. If I, during the lectures I have delivered in this country, have contributed a little to stir up again an interest in Arctic exploration, I think I have reason to be thankful. I hope soon to see this nation start again in the, field of research, and what I specially want is to see it start for the South Polar regions. (Cheers.) — London Chronicle,