FRANKLIN'S LAST VOYAGE. 205 



to do his duty for his native land. Whether on the quarter-deck, in the midst of the 

 enemy's hottest fire, or daring- the dangers of the frozen ocean, among- ice and snow, 

 blinded by dense fogs and endless nights, without guides or sea room, he always showed 

 the same fearless spirit, unwearied perseverance, and love for the welfare of his country 

 which caused him to succeed in the end, although that success was so dearly bought. 



The purest heroism of England has been found in that land of desolation which a 

 wealth of valour has consecrated, and the hearts of the tars who fought under Nelson 



SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. 



were not more brave than those who sailed to meet their fate under "good Sir John." 

 Setting little value on his own personal comfort, but never neglecting the well-being of 

 his crew, he made himself beloved and respected by all, and when he passed away to ' ' the 

 undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveller returns," he left behind him the memory 

 of his brave deeds as an example to the youth of his fatherland. The most triumphant 

 death is that of a martyr; the most glorious martyr is he who dies for his fellow-men. 

 Successful in death, Franklin and his brave followers reached the goal, and perished. Well 

 may the inscription on their monument say, "They forged the last link with their lives."' 



* It is not desirable here to enter into the detailed consideration of who first discovered the North-west Passage. 

 When Franklin sailed in 1845 there was but a comparatively small gap between Parry's furthest western point (Mel- 



