Beschreibung:

ROBERT FALCON SCOTT (1868-1912)
ROBERT FALCON SCOTT (1868-1912) A series of approximately 31 letters by Scott, comprising 27 autograph letters signed and three typed letters signed to Cyril Longhurst, secretary to the British National Antarctic Expedition ('My dear boy', 'My dear Longhurst'), Dundee, London, Portsmouth, Madeira, Simon's Town, the Antarctic and elsewhere, 29 May 1901-26 April 1910, many n.d., and one autograph letter signed to Sir Clements Markham, Ashdown Forest Hotel, Sussex, 17 March 1905, together approx 80 pages, 8vo and 4to, in autograph and 3 pages, 4to, typescript . As secretary to the BNAE, Longhurst's tasks were chiefly administrative, and the letters in the run-up to the expedition's departure are much concerned with the minutiae of availability of expedition members, cheques, accounts and correspondents, as well as equipment problems ('Please ... ask [Else] if he remembers what was inside those d--d sledge heaters -- I can't') -- though enlivened at times by Scott's characteristic flippant charm ('Glad you had a good time on the river but if you don't look after your knee you shan't have any more pemmican'). The details of pay are often of interest -- 'Clarke signed on for £5 & bonuses, latter being 10/- outside & £1 within Antarctic Circle'; 'Regarding pay of Barne & Royds I originally set it at £150 which I think is right but somehow it got to be talked of as £200 & I couldn't have been quite wide awake when the appointments named that sum'. A letter of 28 July 1901, thanking Longhurst for a present, pays tribute to his qualities: 'Your tact, judgement & discretion have in my opinion been potent factors in smoothing over the difficulties & troubles which we have so far surmounted'; a later, undated letter thanks him again for his work, 'never more admirable than in your loyalty to our grand old gentleman but don't take things too seriously'. On the passage out to the Antarctic, spirits are high: 'We have had a splendid passage out and everyone is in the best of health & spirits except for Skelton who has had vile toothache owing to a partially extracted molar. Only Koettlitz was seasick on the way out'. The journey out also gives a first glimpse of the dynamics of the expedition, with games of deck cricket ('the great thing is to slog the ball into the ward room then you can run six'): 'Barne, Wilson & Shackleton are great allies onboard, usually concocting some devilment to annoy the others'. At Madeira Scott is frustrated by the absence of some promised 'recording blocks', which Longhurst is now to send on to the Cape -- though on 13 October they, and quantities of the expedition's mail, have still not reached Simon's Town. Further letters from the Cape refer to advances to crew members, and a small number of changes to the ship's company, and rejoice in the kind treatment of the admiral, especially in repairs to the ship; Scott hopes to 'exceed the original funds of the Expedition by as little as possible ... Then if the ship should sell for a decent figure I do not see why the [Royal Geographical] Society should not clear out of the whole business without being at all out of pocket'. A letter from the Falklands confesses that the lack of letters from Sir Clements Markham in New Zealand has greatly alarmed him, but he is now reassured by two letters. Scott's sole letter dated from Winter Quarters, on 16 February 1903, deals with the vexing problem ('the quite unexpected development of circumstances') of the expedition's having been frozen in for an extra winter, in characteristically defensive terms: 'We are all very happy & comfortable onboard; keep the President's spirits up if we are held for another winter. I am endeavouring to explain why such a result would be extremely hard lines and I think they ought to blame the uncertainty of polar work rather than accuse me of rashness in placing the ship here'. After the return of the expedition, the letters are briefer, dealing mostly with administrative matters, including t