Chap. VI. CAPTAIN PARRY'S SECOND VOYAGE. 147 



In the passage above quoted a foundation appears 

 to have been laid for a voyage, if not two, in further 

 search of a north-west passage. That search was 

 not likely to be abandoned, when so experienced 

 and talented a man as Commander Parry pointed 

 out what appeared to be a channel by which a pas- 

 sage might be found through the western land to 

 the northern coast of America. Accordingly, in a 

 few months after his return from the last voyage, 

 on the 30th of December, 1820, a commission was 

 signed, appointing him Commander of the Fury ; 

 and on the 4th of January Lieutenant Lyon was 

 appointed Commander of the Hecla. 



His Majesty having, on the representation of 

 Lord Melville, ordered another attempt to be made 

 to discover a passage by sea between the Atlantic 

 and Pacific Oceans, and to ascertain the geography 

 of the northern boundaries of the American con- 

 tinent, Parry's instructions were to proceed towards 

 or into Hudson's Strait. He was then to pene- 

 trate to the westward through that strait, until 

 he should reach, either in Repulse Bay or on some 

 other part of the shore of Hudson's Bay, to the 

 north of Wager River, some portion of the coast 

 which he should feel convinced to be a portion 

 of the continent of America. Failing of this, he 

 was then to keep along the line of this coast to the 

 northward, always examining every bend or inlet 

 which should appear likely to afford a practicable 



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