their immediate return, but having already ascertained the separation of Boothia from the American continent, on the western side of Back's River, they determined not to desist till they had settled its relation thereto on the eastern side also. Far to the southward Victoria Headland stood forth so clearly defined that it was instantly recognised through Back's beautiful drawing. On the 17th they reached a high, bold promontory, which was named Cape Britannia; and on the 19th, after crossing a fine bay with great toil and danger, the coast bent away northeast, which enabled them to effect a run of forty miles, but, the wind changing, they were forced to take refuge in a small river, which was the extreme point of the voyage. From a limestone ridge, about a league inland, they obtained a view of some very remote blue land in the north-east quarter, in all probability one of the southern promontories of Boothia. Two considerable islands lay far in the offing, and others, high and distant, stretched from E. to E.N.E.

The view to the eastward apparently displayed a large gulf so uniformly and exactly described by the Esquimaux as Akkolee. To have attempted to explore it would, under the circumstances, have been, what Mr. Simpson justly terms, "foolhardy," and the admirable little boats were therefore turned towards home. The strong wind that had forbidden their advance gave wings to their retreat; the same night (20th August) they landed once more at Cape Britannia, and next morning crossed direct to Point Pechell with a heavy sea on. After examining a bay to the west of Point Ogle, they crossed over on the 24th, and traced the coast up towards Cape Felix for about sixty miles.

The weather now became very unsettled and threatening on the 29th August a snow storm began that lasted for seven days during four of which they

were fixed to one spot. They then stood for Victoria Land, and explored its high, bold shore for upwards of one hundred and fifty miles. Often, near the

shore, no bottom could be found with thirty-five fathoms of line; and the blue colour of the water everywhere indicated a profound depth:-and at length they reached the extreme point seen by Mr. Simpson from Cape Franklin, in 1838, where the coast begins to trend to the northward of west; Cape Barrow being by computation S.S.W, distant fifty

miles.

On the 10th September they crossed Coronation Gulf, and on the 16th re-entered the Coppermine, after by far the longest voyage ever performed in boats on the Polar Sea. Leaving one of their little craft, together with the remains of the pemmican (which, through age and long exposure, was become quite mouldy) and various other articles, as a prize to the first Esquimaux who might visit the Bloody Fall, they ascended the river, with their double crew, in four days, abandoning the tents and everything but absolute necessaries, crossed the Barren Grounds up to their knees in snow, having unluckily left their snow-shoes on the coast, and safely reached Fort Confidence at dusk on the 24th September, 1839.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Expedition of Sir John Franklin and Captain Crozier, in 1845, in Search of North-West Passage-Zeal, Patriotism, and Energy of Sir John Franklin's Character-Admiralty Board Instructions-Account of Expedition when Last Seen in Baffin's Bay-Anxiety at Home respecting its Fate.

THE Arctic seas were too eminently a theatre of British enterprise and daring to be long deserted even by those who had experienced the most fearful rigours of the climate. No nation had followed up the subject with anything approaching to the ardour of England. Some of the best and bravest of her gallant sons had sought to subdue the spirits of storm, ice, and fog which ruled with despotic sway over their desolate and solitary dominions; but the struggle always ended in discomfiture, and a veil like that which hid the sources of the river of Egypt, in the burning sand-plains of Africa, still baffled the most energetic endeavours to penetrate into the mysteries beyond it.

In the year 1844 Captain Sir James Clark Ross returned from his brilliant discoveries in the Antarctic seas; and Sir John Barrow, who still held his high official position of Secretary to the Admiralty, thought the opportunity for again resuming geographical research in the northern regions too good to let slip. He therefore submitted a proposition to their lordships and the council of the Royal Society for sending out another expedition, which, as the two ships, Erebus

and Terror, were completely fitted for such a service, he represented might be made at a third of the cost of the voyage from which they had just returned, while the objects to be attained were highly important to the interests of science, more particularly to that of terrestrial magnetism.

Backed by the opinion of Lieutenant-Colonel Sabine, who stated that such observations would be most desirable, and "that a final attempt to make a North-west Passage would render the most important service that now remained to be performed towards the completion of the magnetic survey of the globe;" the proposal seemed well worthy of attention, and finally, the Erebus and Terror were ordered to be equipped for the voyage, on which they have been absent now nearly five long years. Each was fitted with a small steam-engine and screw-propeller, which, however, on trial did not give a speed of more than three knots an hour.

The selection of a fitting commander for this new enterprise was a matter of no small importance, and fell on the gallant and veteran Sir John Franklin, while Captain Richard Crozier, the able colleague of Sir James Ross in his southern voyage, was appointed to the Terror, as his second.

There is something strikingly noble in the zeal and perseverance with which Franklin has followed up the cause of Arctic Discovery; in his ardent eagerness for the solution of the great problem, it is impossible not to recognise the self same spirit which actuated the Great Admiral against all difficulties to attempt his discovery of that New World which his great mind had already shadowed forth; the same "burning desire" which animated the heart of the youthful Cabot, and has made his name only second, if not equal, to that of Columbus; and the same, we

N

are proud to say, that has carried a host of our countrymen, whose names are emblazoned on the page of history, to the most distant corners of the earth. Although at an advanced period of life, but just released from all the harrassing duties of a colonial governor, and surrounded by everything the world holds dear, yet he willingly gave them all up for the purpose of advancing his country's glory. He was of opinion, with the estimable and talented hydrographer to the Admiralty, "that it would be an intolerable disgrace to this country were the flag of any other nation to be borne through the NorthWest Passage before our own. "You know," says Sir John, writing to the friend whose valued opinion we have just quoted-"You know, I am sure, that no service is nearer to my heart than the completion of the survey of the North coast of America, and the accomplishment of a North-West Passage." This was written in February, 1836, when he volunteered to conduct the expedition to Repulse Bay, which was afterwards carried out by Sir George Back; but the same sentiments still animated him in 1845. Sir John Franklin is an excellent example of what singleness of purpose can effect: : may he yet return to receive the reward of his noble sacrifice.

The Erebus and Terror, being in every respect fully equipped, sailed from the Thames on the 26th of May, 1845, in company with the transport Barretto Junior, commanded by Lieutenant Griffith, and laden with extra stores, to be discharged in Davis Straits; and, as great interest very naturally attaches to the Instructions he received from the Board of Admiralty, we shall give the substance of them as laid before Parliament in April, 1848, in obedience to an Order of the House of Commons.

1 Journal of the Geographical Society for 1836, p. 46.