The Press.
London, England, 1855-12-01 00:00:00

His instructions were decisive :

In proceeding to the westward you will not stop to
examine any openings either to the northward or south.
ward of that strait [Barrow'sl, but continue to push to the
westward without loss of time, in the latitude of about 741,
till you have reached the longitude of that portion of land
on which Cape Welker is situated, or about 98 deg. west.
From that point we desire that every effort be used to en•
deavour to penetrate to the southward and westward, in a
course as direct towards Behring's Strait as the position
and extent of the ice, or the existence of land at present
unknown, may admit. We direct you to this particular
part of the Polar Sea as affording the best prospect of ac-
complishing the passage to the Pacific.

Can any one read attentively the above
instruction and doubt what Franklin's course
would be? "His first endeavour," said Sir
John Richardson, who knew him well, " would
" be to act up to the letter of his instructions."
Parry, James Ross, and Richardson, when
examined before the Commons' Arctic Com-
mittee, all unhesitatingly expressed their con-
viction that Franklin, after passing Cape
Walker, had penetrated to the south-west.
What did Franklin say himself? In Fitz-
james's journal of June 6, 1845, we read :

At dinner to•dq Sir John gave as a pleasant account
of his expectations of being able to get through the ice on the
coast of America.

We make no manner of doubt that he did
act up to his instructions; that he found the
sea to the south-west of Cape Walker open,
and that he penetrated the channel, which
there is every reason to suppose is continued
between Prince of Wales' Land on one aide,
and Prince Albert's Land on the other.
Whether his ships were lost in this unknown,


and perhaps extremely difficult sea, or whether
be remained with them in expectation of help,
till driven forth by famine, it would be vain to
conjecture. There cau be no doubt that he
perished in the endeavour to fulfil the design
ho had always entertained to " get through
" the ice on the coast of America." If we put
together his instructions, his avowed intention,
and the place where his party were last seen,
" near the north shore of King William's Land,
travelling southward over the ice," can it be
doubted that they must have come from that
unexplored region which lies south-west of
the Furthest land yet traced from Cape
Walker ?

Mr. Kennedy, when he struck this sea, could
see no land to the south or west, nor could
Lieut. Osborne from his furthest point in
Ommaney's expedition, though he says he
advanced over the ice fifteen miles to the
west. To the opinion that this sea was never
navigable, it is impossible to attach credit,
considering how different is the aspect of such
seas at different times. When the shot es are
fast ice-bound, there is often clear water in
mid•channel.

We feel certain that a well-organised expedi-
tion from the American shore, having for its ob-
ject to thoroughly search the tract yet unex-
plored, would find some traces of Franklin—
perhaps his ships—sufficient to clear up the
darkness which still shrouds his fate. It is for
theihonour of the country that the search should
be made. Dr. Rae is the man to conduct it.
We cannot conceive any object more worthy
the attention of the Geographical Society, or
better entitled to the liberal support of the
public. It is grievous to reflect that the whole
party have most likely been lost, through
vigorous and persevering efforts not having
been made in due time from Melville Sound
on one side, and the American coast on the
other.

The Poetry of Creation. In Seven Parts. By Nicholas
Michell. London : Chapman and Hall.
" THE Poetry of Creation" is certainly rather an
ambitious title, and we should have thought the sub-
ject might have presented some difficulties in the way
of avoiding plagiarism. On this head, however, we
must congratulate Mr. Michell. Ile borrows from no
one. Though constantly touching on the same themes
as Milton, he wisely treats his subject in so tli&rent
a style as to afford no grounds for comparison between
his verse and that of the bard of Paradise. This is an
evidence of great skill on the author's part, and exhibits
to advantage both his judgment and his originality.
The work displays considerable power of versifica-
tion, and many felicitous images are dispersed
throughout it. It is the careful production of a
man of taste, who if he is not a poet still loves
poetry ; and that is a sufficientcl aim to our sympathy,
if not to our admiration.

My MSS.: A Tale of Olden Islington. By the Author

of "Anne Boleyn." London: Hope and Co.
How this book came to be published at all, except
on account of its oddity, is more than we can
conjecture. Of the story we can only say there
is none, of the style much the same, and of the
inguage that it sets all grammar at defiance.
It consists of twenty-nine chapters and 104 pages,
with the usual allowance of vowels and conso-
nants in each. The whole is decidely a literary
curiosity; and those who are fond of prodigies in any
shape will do well to peruse "My MSS."

N armo and Aimata : A Tale of the Jeruits in Tahiti

Dublin : Oldham.
Tins little story is written with very considerable
power and earnestness, but the odium theologicum is
rather too prominent for our taste. We have always
sympathised with Queen Pomare and her wrongs,
and we daresay the Jesuits were the cause of them ;
but we scarcely think it wise to rake up the history
now, or anything but ludicrous to predict for Eng-
land the fate of Nineveh because she neglected
Tahiti.