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nature were around Lieut. Franklin, yet as his ship was less damaged 

 than that of Captain Buchan, he earnestly requested permission 

 to proceed alone in the execution of this discovery. The nature of 

 Captain Buchan's instructions prevented this, and the Expedition 

 returned. 



Immediately on his return he was appointed to the command of 

 that celebrated Expedition to explore the North American coast, 

 which occupied the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822, the history 

 of which, as told in his own manly and unaffected language, is 

 undoubtedly one of the noblest pictures of heroic exertion and 

 patient endurance. 



The results of the labours of Franklin and of his distinguished 

 associate Sir John Richardson, in this memorable journey, deserve 

 more full and fitting recognition than can be attempted on this oc- 

 casion ; suffice it here to observe, that a vast extent of the North 

 American Continent, before unknown, was added to our Charts, and 

 large acquisitions gained for science by the careful study of the phy- 

 sical geography and natural productions of that portion of the globe. 



Undeterred by the appalling sufferings he had already undergone, 

 Franklin, although lately united in marriage to Miss Porden, again 

 volunteered his services for Arctic exploration. These were ac- 

 cepted, and in the course of 1825-27 an additional tract of the 

 North American Continent was carefully surveyed. 



For these arduous services, which extended over a period of 

 twelve years, and in the execution of which he travelled nearly 

 9000 miles, and added a coast-line of upwards of 1200 miles to our 

 North American Maps, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, 

 knighted by his Sovereign, and had the degree of D.C.L. conferred 

 on him by the University of Oxford. He also received the Gold 

 Medal from the French Geographical Society, and was elected 

 a Fellow of the Royal Society, on whose Council he served in 

 1829 and 1830. 



In the former year, having had the misfortune to lose his first wife, 

 he married the present Lady Franklin, then Miss Jane Griffin, whose 

 persevering devotion in endeavouring to rescue her unfortunate 

 husband is well known. 



He now remained at home for two years, when he was appointed 

 to the ' Rainbow,' and served in that ship in the Mediterranean for 



