May 2G, 1856.] ARCTIC. 153 



Cape Yakan. He discovered a vast barrier of ice on ilie north, so 

 solid as to lead him to declare that no keel has ever divided those 

 waters. 



During the last year our indefatigable Captain Collinson has 

 3-etumed to our shores from Behring Strait, rich in Arctic enter- 

 prise, and enjoying the distinguished honour of having, by skill, 

 energy, and patient endurance, brought his vessel, the ' Enter- 

 prise,' safely back from her perilous adventures, and returned 

 her to the shores, whence he departed with her; an act which 

 should not be overlooked in the catalogue of the meritorious deeds 

 of that highly scientific navigator. About the same period ap- 

 peared ' The Last of the Arctic Voj^ages,' by our associate, Sir 

 Edward Belcher ; in which he gives an account of his pro- 

 ceedings, and of the many land and boat journeys undertaken by 

 himself and oificers under his command ; completing, through their 

 instrumentality, the northern coast of the Parry group, and adding 

 Victoria Land and other geographical features to the cartography of 

 those regions. Then, as if to swell the mention of Arctic enterprise, 

 at this time appeared a reprint, by the HakJuyt Society, of the quaint 

 but interesting documents of old voyages ; and also a voluminous 

 summary, entitled ' Scoperte Artiche,' compiled for the enlighten- 

 ment of the Italians, by Conte Francisco M. Erizzo. Lastly, I have 

 to notice among the events of the past year, as connected with 

 Arctic enterprise, the bestowal of the honour of Jcnighthood upon 

 Sir Eobert M'Clure (our medallist), the gallant officer who virtually 

 accomplished the North- West passage — a justly-merited tribute of 

 the nation, and a token of the high sense it entertains of the worthy 

 deeds of those navigators who had so laboriously pursued their 

 perilous researches in those ice-encumbered seas.* 



At this period of Arctic discovery it will perhaps be expected that 

 I should offer some remarks upon the results and the benefits which 

 have been derived from it by the country. 



It is now nearly forty years since the revival of our Polar voyages, 

 during which period they have been prosecuted with more or less 

 success, until, at length, the great problem has been solved. Besides 

 this grand solution of the question, these voyages have in various 

 ways been beneficial ; and Science at least has reaped her harvest. 

 They have brought us acquainted with a portion of the globe before 



* The sum of 10,000/. was also voted to liim and his gallant companions by the 

 House of Commons. . ^ 



