ELISHA KENT KANE. 143 



the literature of scientific travel and discovery. Pew 

 parallels to so great activity and to such valuable 

 results, accomplished at so early an age, can be pro- 

 duced in our history. It was exceeded only by the 

 memorable career and the transcendent genius of 

 Alexander Hamilton. With such a beginning, it 

 may very naturally be supposed that, had Dr. Kane 

 lived, the great promise held out by his early man- 

 hood would have been amply fulfilled ; and it would 

 probably have become the privilege of his admirers 

 eventually to have characterized him as the Ameri- 

 can Humboldt. 



Only a single incident occurred in connection with 

 the career of Dr. Kane, which has elicited from the 

 public a doubtful sentiment, and has occasioned 

 differences of opinion as to its propriety. This was 

 his attempt to punish the desertion of Godfrey, ono 

 of his crew, by inflicting the penalty of death 

 usually attendant on that crime. Some assert that 

 this act was necessary, justifiable, and honorable , 

 some, that it was illegal, vindictive, and murderous. 

 We cannot conclude Dr. Kane's biography to better 

 purpose than by presenting a full statement of the 

 facts in reference to this important episode in his 

 history. 



In August, 1854, after the Arctic expedition com- 

 manded by Dr. Kane had been absent nearly two 



