RAE'S LETTER TO THE TIMES. 473 



fork crest, a fish's head looking upwards, with laurel- 

 branches on each side; one silver table-fork initials, 

 " H. D. S. G. ;; (Harry D. S. Goodsir, assistant-surgeon, 

 Erebus); one silver table-fork initials, "A. M'D.' ; 

 (Alexander M'Donald, assistant-surgeon, Terror) ; one 

 silver table-fork initials, " G. A. M." (Gillies A.Mac- 

 bean, second master, Terror) ; one silver table-fork 

 initials, " J. T. ;' one silver dessert-spoon initials, 

 " J. S. P." (John S. Peddie, surgeon, Erebus) ; around 

 silver plate, engraved, "Sir John Franklin, K.C.B.;" a 

 star or order, with motto, " Nee aspera terrent, G. R. III. 

 MDCCCXV." 



On obtaining the above information, Dr. Rae instantly 

 hastened to England, for the purpose of preventing any 

 further expeditions being despatched in search of the 

 lost navigators. His report, as might have been ex- 

 pected, was subjected on all hands to criticism and com- 

 ment. Many were of opinion that the information ob- 

 tained did not warrant the conclusion that the whole 

 party was lost. Some of the criticisms made on his 

 report induced Dr. Rae to take up the pen in self-defence ; 

 and in a letter which he addressed to the editor of the 

 London Times we find the following remarks, which 

 come with great weight from one who, of all others, is 

 most competent to speak authoritatively. They were 

 written in reply to an attack made upon him by a gen- 

 tleman who had a relative with the lost expedition, and 

 serve to show how difficult it is to form a correct judg- 

 ment on subjects of which we have not had personal 

 experience. 



"It is asked by your correspondent, " says Dr. Rae, 

 " ' where Esquimaux can live, where Dr. Rae's party 

 could find abundant means, what should prevent Sir 

 John Franklin and his party from subsisting too ? ' 



" No man but one perfectly unacquainted with the 



