Ch. XI. FRANKLIN & RICHARDSON'S SECOND JOURNEY. 449 



allowed to say, that however high his brother officers may- 

 rate his courage and talents, either in the ordinary line of 

 his professional duty, or in the field of discovery, the hold 

 he acquires upon the affections of those under his command, 

 by a continued series of the most conciliating attentions to 

 their feelings, and an uniform and unremitting regard to 

 their best interests, is not less conspicuous. I feel that the 

 sentiments of my friends and companions, Captain Back and 

 Lieutenant Kendall, are in unison with my own, when I 

 affirm, that gratitude and attachment to our late commanding 

 officer will animate our breasts to the latest period of our 

 lives."— pp. 236, 237. 



That gratitude and attachment here expressed 

 were returned in full measure to Dr. Richardson, 

 not only by the commanding' officer, but by every 

 individual employed on the two voyages, and also 

 by the natives with whom they had intercourse, 

 and by whom his uniform kindness and humanity 

 were duly appreciated. Franklin always acknow- 

 ledged that to his energy of character and prompti- 

 tude of action are to be ascribed the safety, not alone 

 of himself, but of the surviving party of the first 

 expedition, to ensure which, in fact, he risked his 

 own life, and made a sacrifice of the best feelings of 

 his benevolent nature. 



Yet, bv some unaccountable accident or over- 

 sight, this excellent officer was not honoured 

 with that distinction which was conferred on his 

 companions Sir John Franklin and Sir George 

 Back. But whatever the cause of the omission 

 may have been, it has, at length, been rectified 



2g 



