ARCTIC VOYAGES. 
37 
be reduced to parties of four. It is satisfactory to find that an officer who has searched 
from the very first in every expedition through Lancaster Sound, will now, in all proba¬ 
bility, have the glory of completing this deeply interesting work, and I am certain that 
every one here will unite in wishing him all the success that his noble perseverance so 
well deserves. In this place, no doubt, especial interest must be felt in the subject now 
before us, for the gallant Captain of the Terror was, I believe, a native of Dublin; and 
M l Clure, the discoverer of the north-west passage ; Kellett, who released him from his 
sufferings in Mercy Bay; Mecham, who has performed the longest Arctic journey on 
record, and M l Clintock himself, are all natives of this island.” 
"Whilst we write, the long Arctic winter has closed in upon the Fox 
and her brave crew, let us hope, well down Peel Sound or Prince Re¬ 
gent’s Inlet, ready to commence, in March or April next, those long and 
successful sledge journeys on the ice, which have rendered M‘Clintock’s 
name famous even among the adventurous sailors of the icy sea. He 
deserves success, and we believe that if, under Providence, a cool head, 
a brave heart, good health, and long experience, can aid him, that he 
will secure it. May he return in safety, with certain knowledge of the 
last stand of Franklin and Crozier’s party, and some reliable documen¬ 
tary evidence of their previous explorations and fate ! 
The last news of Lady Franklin’s expedition is contained in the 
following letter:— 
“(Letter commenced 29th July, at sea, ended August 6, 1857.) 
“ Arctic Yacht Fox. 
“ My dear Lady Franklin, —On the 25th July I despatched a letter to you by the 
Danish schooner Neptune, then under sail for Copenhagen, in which letter I detailed my 
progress to that date. Briefly it was this :—Beached Cape Farewell on the 13th', after 
a rapid and pleasant passage of ten days from the Pentland Firth. Finding it necessary 
to send home one of my crew, I went into Frederickshaab, as I understood from Petersen 
that a Danish vessel was there. Then, on learning from Dr. Rink, the inspector of 
South Greenland, that another vessel, the Neptune, w'ould sail much sooner, I proceeded 
to Goodbaal (Baal’s river), where I arrived just in time to put my sick man and my let¬ 
ters on board. An accident to the Fox’s topmast obliged me to go into Fiskernars for a 
few hours. 
“ I hope to get on to Lievely (Disco) to-morrow, but still have an obstinate foul wind 
to deal with. The prevalence of N.W. winds this spring is astonishing, and cannot but 
be favourable for our passage across to Pond’s Bay. 
“ At Frederickshaab 1 was fortunate enough to obtain Scotch coals to complete my 
stock; also a good supply of fresh and most excellent codfish ; our rigging is abundantly 
stocked with them. 
“ My intentions are to stop half-a-day at Lievely, then visit the coal-mine in Waigat 
Strait, then on to Proven and Upernavik for dogs. I will take every opportunity of 
writing to you. All on board are in excellent health and spirits. I have been most 
fortunate in the selection of my officers and crew, as also in the vessel. Our provisions 
are very good ; indeed I cannot find out a want of any kind. 
“ From Beechey Island I will take an additional supply of preserved meats, and any¬ 
thing likely to be useful or conducive to health and comfort. 
“ I think you will approve of my going a little out of my way to secure an early 
passage home for poor Lewis; it is of vital importance to him that he should get home 
before the autumn weather sets in. His illness was not in any way produced or aggra¬ 
vated by his short coming in the Fox, and his double pay has been paid him up to Sep¬ 
tember 30 ; indeed, he seemed to feel how much had been done for him, and I think that 
this proof that their health is my first care (as it is your wish that it should be so) has 
been appreciated by the crew. 
“ August 4, Waigat Strait.—We have finished coaling, and are running before a 
strong fair wind for Proven. We did not reach Lievely before the 31st of July, and re- 
