SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 195 



lent officer, in this most distressing of all 

 conceivable situations, we cannot sufficiently 

 admire the fortitude and resolution that 

 prompted him to embark a second time on 

 the very same kind of service, liable to the 

 same accidents, and necessarily to the dan- 

 ger of the same kind of hardships. Hap- 

 pily he has succeeded, and brought home 

 himself, and all his people, in as good, and 

 perhaps better, health than when they 

 started. The following testimony, given 

 by Dr. Richardson, is so honourable to his 

 character, that it cannot be made too public. 



" It would not be proper, nor is it my 

 intention, to descant on the professional 

 merits of my superior officer ; but, after 

 having served under Captain Franklin for 

 nearly seven years, in two successive voy- 

 ages of discovery, I trust I may be allowed 

 to say, that however high his brother offi- 

 cers may rate his courage and talents, either 

 in the ordinary line of his professional duty, 

 o 2 



