1853.] RETURN OF MR. GROVE. 41 



parted, under "the customary honours," on their southern 

 march, there were many of our party to be noticed, loi- 

 tering with a vacant gaze, a last wave of the glove, and 

 possibly a frozen pearl to set the eyelash in motion. 



October 20. Shortly before noon the 'Dauntless' 

 banner announced the advance of Mr. Grove, one of the 

 most cheerful and light-hearted of our party, and before 

 night I had the gratification of feeling that all my officers 

 and crew were again collected, and comfortably housed. 

 This was our final chance, my last hope for the season 

 of any communication from the Western Division. If 

 accident should have arrested one, both, or all three of 

 the vessels near Cape Hotham, it was some consolation 

 to know that they would find there a boat, should water 

 be available, to aid in their journey to Beechey Island. 



Our minds have been so much engrossed by startling 

 and active events, that the present pause affords me the 

 first available opening to refer to the contents of Com- 

 mander Richards's proceedings, from which I have ex- 

 tracted the following. 



In order to understand the nature of the orders under 

 which Commander Richards proceeded, I consider it ex- 

 pedient to give them the precedence. 



ORDERS 



By EDWARD BELCHER, Kt., C.B., Captain of H.M.S. Assistance, and 

 in Command of the Arctic Squadron. 



1. Whereas it is expedient that a special examination of the south- 

 western shores of this great opening into the Polar Sea should be made 

 by sledges during the present season, and having every confidence in 

 your ability and zeal to carry out this important measure, and further, 

 Lieutenant Osborn, commanding Her Majesty's steam-tender ' Pioneer,' 

 having in the handsomest manner, and with his customary zeal, volun- 

 teered to support you in this arduous duty : 



