GEOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES, 



THE ARCTIC SEARCH. 



The returns for 1853 from the Arctic expeditions in search of Sir 

 John Franklin have announced to us the greatest victory since 

 Magelhaens doubled the southern point of the continent, and passed 

 into the Pacific ocean. The leading feature of interest lies in the 

 fact, that the problem of a passage for ships between the Atlantic and 

 the Pacific Oceans, north of the American continent a problem 

 which has engaged the enterprise of maritime nations, and particularly 

 of our own, for upwards of three centuries has been finally solved. 

 Capt. M'Clure has succeeded in navigating his ship from Behring's 

 Strait, in the west, to within about sixty miles of Melville Straits, 

 and was, according to the last accounts, waiting only for the disruption 

 of the ice to pass through those straits and return by the eastern outlet to 

 England. The problem had long since been stript of all that portion 

 of its interest which was reflected on it from the field of commercial 

 speculation ; but its solution, after ages of such perilous adventure 

 as that by which it has been sought, is a great scientific triumph. 

 When on the eve of sailing, Capt. M'Clure emphatically declared 

 that he would find Sir John Franklin and Capt. Crozier, or make 

 the northwest passage. He has, geographically speaking, redeemed 

 the latter part of his pledge : but the fate of those gallant Comman- 

 ders and their crews is hidden yet amid the dark and labyrinthine ice- 

 paths of the Arctic seas. The scientific secret of centuries has been 

 wrenched at last from the Spirit of the North ; but the human 

 secret which in these latter days the heart of more nations than our 

 own has so yearned to solve, he guards yet, in spite of all questioning, 

 in some one of his drear and inaccessible caves. 



It will be remembered by those who have followed the history of 

 the Arctic expeditions, that Capt. M'Clure was first lieutenant of Sir 

 James Ross's ship Enterprise, and having been promoted, volun- 

 teered for the second expedition by way of Behring's Strait. He was 

 appointed to the command of the Investigator, under Capt. Collinson, 

 of the Enterprise ; and proceeded with that officer to Behring's Strait 





