ELISHA KENT KANE. 37 



deeply engaged the attention and sympathy of the 

 civilized world. In 1820 the expedition under 

 Captain William Parry was undertaken, which was 

 afterward followed, in 1821, hy his second and more 

 famous venture. In 1824 the same able commander 

 achieved his third Arctic voyage. Our limited space 

 forbids us to enumerate seriatim even the most im- 

 portant expeditions which ensued, during the pro- 

 gress of the present century, in pursuit of the same 

 great achievement of Arctic discovery, the attain- 

 ment of a northwest passage.* In 1845, Sir John 

 Franklin, who had continued to serve with increasing 

 distinction in the British navy since the year 1800, 

 embarked on his last memorable Arctic expedition, 

 in command of the ships "Erebus" and "Terror." 

 Great expectations were entertained in reference to 

 the probable results to be effected by this expedition, 

 in consequence of the high fame already secured 

 by its commander for ability, resolution, and ex- 

 perience. No apprehensions were felt for the safety 

 of the expedition till after the lapse of three years, 



* The reader will find a complete history of all these expeditions 

 in the work entitled "Arctic Explorations and Discoveries during the 

 Nineteenth Century, being Detailed Accounts of the Several Expedi- 

 tions made to the North Seas, both English and American ; concluding 

 with that of Dr. E. K. Kane." Edited with large additions by Samuel 



M. Smucker, New York. Miller, Oton&Co., 1857. pp. 517, 12mo. 



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