PEEFACE. xix, 



sagacious employer, there can be no doubt, that 

 much more satisfactory results would have been 

 obtained than those which, after a lapse of seven 

 years, have now been realized by the undaunted 

 perseverance of Lady Franklin, and the skill 

 and courage of M'Clintock. 



The natural modesty of this commander has, 

 I am bound to say, prevented his doing common 

 justice, in the following journal, to his own con- 

 duct — conduct which can be estimated by those 

 only who have listened to the testimony of the 

 officers serving with and under the man, whose 

 great qualities in moments of extreme peril 

 elicited their heartiest admiration and ensured 

 their perfect confidence. 



In writing this Preface (which I do at the 

 request of the promoters of the last search), I 

 may state that, having occupied the Chair of 

 the Eoyal Gleographical Society in 1845, when 

 my cherished friend, Sir John Franklin, went 

 forth for the third time to seek a North- West 

 passage, it became my bounden duty in sub- 

 sequent years, when his absence created much 

 anxiety, and when I re-occupied the same posi- 

 tion, ardently to promote the employment of 

 searching expeditions, and warmly to sustain 

 Lady Franklin's endeavours in this holy cause. 



Imbued with such feelings, I must be per^ 



e 



