The Express.
London, England, 1850-02-11 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 11, 1850.

FRESH DISCOVERIES IN THE
ARCTIC CIRCLE.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE (001rfinn3D).
The Int of the letters is dated July 17, 1849, and
addremil by Counmeader Keen of her Illejestre ship
?tenr, Mee bin elf Climbs* Iced, to • Cape's Kellett,
et tote MM, ipty oil Oipe swat..., It Gestates the
onefts Ipospipse a. Thee, en erelvies ad Cape Lieber', the
&Ow bete ef the Hoag wad new, with a whale beet. be
WNW set. otemutieil by Liettuntest Pollee tad Mc
Mecca, with • pem of as,.. use fa nab boat, leelailap
dee he meelsw, vietWled for 30 dark end *odd explore the
meet_ emponsiesdas Nth the kips ie !be cgs& vibes a
.hips •

sulisiestly large larstsbessid be dirseed ka tbs w.r to SM.
GM la. Oa arriving of Wa 1.1, should ewe be
Mad soethward, *stint bests as be dested whin dale
provistoes, with eiders to preesed as Mae pietism. Is the
*teat of Weiewriglit islet proving unavailable, the 'hips to
vexed, of the peeked fee till Sept 26, wbee, if dm boats
hate Weedy !stormed, they shoeld sail to Chants.° Island,
sal it sot, to St. Lawrence Bay.
The lelleeleg is Captain Kellett's reply :
4TO COMMANDS& T. M. L. MOORS, MI& MAJESTY'S SIDS

PLOVER.
"Her Malady's Ship Herald. at Si,. off Cape
Kruseenstern, July 19, 1649.
"Sir,—The following remarks are founded on their lord-
ships' orders to ma as well as from those to rueseU relative
to the last expedition along the coast of Georgia:
"You will perceive by me first orders, that their lordships
consider light boats, at beaus, es the frost eligible for pro-
secuting the voyage along the sort; in my second, that they
desire, in ease of not meeting the Plover, whose boats are
fitted for the expedition, that my hooch should be in readi-
ness to accompany the hoiden to the eastward towards Point
Barrow.
" In your orders their lordships also lay much stress on
the d. seription of boat to be gent; any departure, therefore,
from their views on this head requires to be most maturely
considered. I shall be guided entirely by your matured
opinion on this subject from the experience you have had in
tie navigation of ice bound coasts.
" I coneider, that before any boats finally proceed, it
should be decided, and the party made thorough.y acquainted
with the Plover's intended winter quarters.
" In your orders their lordships emphatically state that
if no position is found for the Plover north of Kotzebue
Sound, she mud winter there. Your opinion, however, is
teat a ee.eel cannot winter in Kotzebue Sound without the
danger of baits carried to sea or thrown on the beach (as
the Fury was) by the great drift of the floes in that sound.
This being your opinion of that place for wintering, I would
propane Ordoley Harbour as Mere fisting plan for render-
ing assistance than any port outside the Straits on the
Asiatic shore.
" From Lhantley Harbour (if travelling across the land be
practicable) the • jounces to Cousin° Island is but 116 miles
—by the coast, 220. From your former winter quarters you
were enabled, with the as-istanos of the natives, to travel to
gad Cape—a greater distances than from Oracetley to Che-
mise*, overlord ; and should you, even now that you know
el the friendly disposition of the natives in your last year's
quietus, be enabled to travel across the Straits on the ice,
any break up of it would cut your parties off from the ship.
My own opinion is, that a vessel from Oahu, fortified as you
are, could reach Cadmium Island at au earlier period than a
vessel wintering where you did last season.
" I fully concur wito you m the manner of examining the
goad by the boats northerly.
I condocr tuat, in cou.equence of Sir George Simpson'.
letter relative to the resources of the Hudsou'il Bay posts on
the Mackenzie, the boats should be ordered to return to the
Plover by the '2lst of September.
" Should it be impossible to get in'o Wainwright's Inlet,
I no no objection, cad think it meet advisable, that the
Piovar should remain as far north as safety from her being
blockaded up for the winter in the ice will permit, returning
so meet the Herald boom she goes south by the 2.501 of
September off enemies,/ Island.
" I do not see the neceseity of the two ships remaining
together rater we have mired the question as to winter
quarters for Plover; the Herald's time may, after that,
be usefully cosi toyed in an examination of the ice lice
westerly, and also of the shoals masked in Captain Bcechey'a
chart.
" The method of examining the coast for a winter harbour
I shenld pros we es follses :
" That the Owen (Herald's decked boat), with a whaler, or
perhaps a smaller boat, be sent directly to Wainwright's
Inlet, having your ice master and second master on board,
with orders o return to the ship end communicate the result
of their examination, t`.• ships, as you propose, in the offing,
lumina your decked boat, and another boat in shore, going
along the coast leisurely.
" As it would be attended with most serious results were
this ship to be beset in the ice, I shall trust her safety from
such a disaster to • our greater experience in ins strewed seas.
" I have given you my feelings and opinion on this in,.
jeet, mode freely, and shall tip et an f receive yours in a
similar way.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"JOIN KELLETT, Captain."
In a letter dated the same day, in reply to the above, Com-
mander Moore urges that the boats should on no occount be
at any time out or eight of the ships, both remaining as clime
to the land and t." the boots as consistent with safety. He
further object., that by proceeding to Wainwright Inlet
direct, a lots of time might be lactated by the boats missing
the ship on their return, in case of bad weather, should
they hove found a convenient harbour to the southward.
In the event of finding a fit wintering places for the Plover,
he proposes proceeding with the boats (two baidars and a
whaler) along she coast towards the Mackenzie; and, should
d tfieulues tetra likely to prevent his return that year to the
ship, to depoteit one host's provisions where they would be
Readable in ease of his to sate obliged :to abandon the other
boats and join the ship overland.
Smould no re,uge be f and fur the Plover, it is suggested
that the two decked boats, two baida-s, and whale boat,
should at once proceed towards the Mackenzie; and if the
ice should prevent the lager boats from going on, their pro-
visions should be buried, and the small boats prosecute the
voyage as far as they can with safety, leaving the forcer in
a convenient place to return to the Plover should the
bsidars and whaler he unable to reach the Mackenzie. In
conciusion, it is advised that, in ease of a calm, whalers
might be sent hot, so of decked boats.
Tree feffowing letter, from Captain Kellett to Lieutenant
Pullen, accompanies Commander Moore's instructions to
that edam :
" Her hisjnty's ship Herald, off Wainwright Inlet,
July 26, 1849.
"Sir,—As I consider that the orders which Commander
Moore has given you for the conduct of the interesting
expedition of which he has given you the charge em-
brace all contingencies, I shall simply send you a few
extracts from the printed pipers connected with the
arctic repetition, as well as a few from the narrative of
Deese and Simpson's voyage from the Mackenzie to Point
Barrow.
" A few points in your orders will, I consider, require
Tour immediate decision on your arrival with the boats off
Point Barrow.
" The first and moat material point is, OD arriving_ at Point
Barrow, to decide weather you will push for the Mackezele
in the light boats, and send back the launches (having
filled up from them with provisions). I hardly think it pee.e
able to go half-way to the Mackenzie and get bate to jeha
the Plover, but consider it very practicable, in light boats, to I
go erect there Simpson did it, you perceive, in 13 days,
leaving Point Barrow cm the 4th of August.
"Should you decide on retuning, you should be south of
Icy Cape by the first week in September ; says Captain
Bushy, whose authority not to be doubted.
" Should you have the heavy boats at Refuge Inlet as a
rendezvous with an intention of returning to them, you
must bear in mind that I think it likely in the middle of
August, with the first westerly wind, they will be obliged to
leave it to recape being beset, and as, to all appearances,
Wainwright's Inlet does not offer refuge (it being boned at
its entrance), they would be obliged to run for Point Hope,
where you should instruct them to rendezvoue, and where
up to the 1011 of September, they may expect to meet this
ship, or find irestrucoons for their guidance buried 10 feet
I magnetic north from a pole, or written directions on some
conspicuous reek or cliff.
" &mold you get to the Mackenzie and not return this
year (which 1 think you should be most cautious in attempt-
tug), and that you endeavour to return next year, it will be
necessary for you to be south of Point Barrow early Ia
Aurae, 1850, to ensue meeting either this ship or the
Plover.
" Trusting that you and your gallant little band may,
through the blessing of Providence, enjoy good health, Ned
that your exertions on behalf of our countrymen may he
crowned with success,
" I remain, your very obedient servant,
"H. KilLtdrer, Captain."
The following two letters, bearing the same dates as two
addressed to Commander Moore, afford a more emeignised
statement of Lieut. Pullen's position at each date :
" Schooner Owen, Monday evening, July 30, 1849.
" Dear Sir,—We have got thus far very well, may the rest
of our expedition prove as successful. We met the main
picks in 71 deg. 15 min. 68 rec. north, much farther tooth
than I at all expected, from the mildness of the weather and
the fine open sea. I have been unsuocesidal in my starch
few a place. fur the boats; not even Refuge lalet, vary shal-
low, and a very narrow entrance.
" If I do not get to Fort Good Hope, Captain Moore directs
me to proceed tuYork Factory, provided there are not supplies
there, and report myself to their lordship, so it will rest with
them whether I return next season, much as I should like it.
We hems been detained here a day with a dross wind, and
greet qoantities of ice completely blocking the channel.
Our whale boats are now loaded, and swim Tory deep; so I
thick I shall meet likely take the large boats on to Point
Barrow, that is, if possible.
" We have had most beautiful weather till today, and
the berometer was last /light down to 36 deg. We by"
found the Owen rather leaky, but nothing to prevent oar
getting on. The pump is very good.
" The latitude of the most southern part of the pick was
?$ deg. 15 min. 48 sec. north. Her altitude, and when
▪ emsbored, tamed a lorry bay with the shore, the outer
• seiath-east point of the pack being about two miles from
dbo shore. The channel is in the deep Mikis bay, close in
shoos and very narrow.
" In the bay are two small icebergs under the lee of one
mad doe up to it (meowed to it). We are now lying with
tie Nosey Durum. I have sea several native. and rubbed
moms with some again, sot a pleasant salutation I assure
you.
" Mr. Shedden has palsied to deliver theme letters, and
from him I have got • copy of reekooleig showing his track,
sod now, dear sir, I must close.
" Captain Moore has got a full unenust of all I have done,
with Mod resnombganeas to all mg MISMIMAUS and shier

sates, sad grstitado to you for year kiadly feelings sad seta
of geode',
" s"
Believe as to be, dear Sir, your's MY may.
W. 7.8. Powui, Lieutaasat.
" Ceptaia Kellett, C.B, her Majesty's ship Herald."
" Night of the 4th of Mgt" 1819.
" My dear Captala meta to you feta the edge
of** Peak, sad Ikea thought that wo should have bees
mob further is advent* then we sow are, bet Joe is terrible
stuff te deal with ; however, I do act despair, sadamildeatly
bops to week the Kackessie, bet still or bae that I do sot
expest he get bask sista. I height a balder MI Feint Bar-
row, se that I eat act he say way afraid el wade Maaald we
hays to Iris's, at Fort Hope. lea cow get ea the start
seals treat ova present pokiest, sad at 71 dog. 12 see. N.
learituday deg. 86 see. W., with s dear spas sea aad a
(sir triad. I stayed at Poiat Shrew all the lad, get the dip
82 dig. 4 observatiose for time, latitude, and IGWaation
bat sot worked. The second master, who I seed bark
with ths boats, his got them, sad aux give you say pa:-
dealers. - .

"The small <ompia you so kindly lest me I send built, as
I did net moonset at the time Iliad me myself.
"Mr. Bhaddes ham followed us up quite to Point Barrow.
I hope he is sow all dear; hit kindness has bees unbounded,
assisting us la every way. It is now Ana; for the list day
we have had strong bresw-s from 8. and 3.8. W., with heavy
rate.

" I web feu we cannot take the interval's.; be is very
ill, and seems to be frightened, so I think his room would
be better than his company ; he has been of but little use,
in feet does not nederstead the natives here. We have got
on with them famously, and have bees among them as old
standing friends. I will now wiad this up, as time is now
drawing ow for our start.
"May God bless you, sir, for your kindness, and I bore
we shall meet 'gain. With kiwi remembrances to all on
board, believe me, sir,
(Signed) " W. J. S. Foram."
" P.S. Captain Moore, in his orders says, if I am obliged
to seek Fort Rope, I am to make the best of my way to York
Factory, sad report myself to the Admiralty. In that ow
I shall hardly gst back next season, but go home with the
Huclacm's Bay skips."

MUSIC.

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The performance of Saul on Friday evening was one •
of the very finest we have ever heard in Exeter HaIL
It is unquestionably the most beautiful of Handel's
dramatic oratorios. The subject, independently of its
mend character, is fall of deep and tragic interest,
and has been much more happily treated by the
writer of the poem than those of any of the other
scriptural dramas on which the composer employed
his genius. And the effect of this has been that the
music has a freshness and freedom from the con-
ventional forms of his day, which often make it seem
to belong to a much later period. All the airs have
this free and nosing melody, with but one exception,
" A serpent in my bosom warmed," which, indeed, is
full of the formal divisions which, in Handel's day,
were stereotyped for bus songs ; and in the choruses,
notwithstanding their grandeur, there are fewer
fugues, and other scholastic forms, than in any of his
other oratorios.
What gave us especial pleasure in this performance
was the adherence to Handel's own orchestral score,
without the interpolation of noisy parts for wind in-
struments. In this M. Costs showed his discrimi-
nating judgment. He saw that Handel had bestowed
more than ordinary care upon the instrumentation
of this oratorio, and had made it so full and masterly
that it could not be touched without injury. The
songs, as well as the chorus, were accompanied by
the stringed quartet wito a alight sprinkling of deli-
cate wir.d-instrument effects; and it was remarkable
bow this mode of accompaniment brought out the
voices, enhanced the richness of their tones, alai in-
, creased the power of their harmony. The trombones
and drums, with which our ears are stunned during
' the whole of every musical performance, were never
beard unless in the martial music in the last part of
ir the oratorio and in the grand choral finale; and then
their effect was immensely heightened by their pre-
vious silence.

The principal singers acquitted themselves with
more than urinal success. Miss Dolby sustained the
part of David, and never was heard to greater advan-
tage. In some of the impassioned scenes she exhi-
bited • degree of dramatic force and energy
which she seldom has occasion to exert ; and
in the exquisite lament for the death of Jonathan,
"In sweetest harmony they lived," nothing could
exceed the pathos of her expression. Miss Birch,
too, sang with even more than her usual power and
beauty, The charming duet, " 0 fairest of ten
thousand fair," was a highly finished performance on
both sid.s. Mr. Phillips gave great effect to the
part of Saul ; his delivery of the soliloquy, " Wretch
that I am!" was a fine piece of tragic declamation.
Mr. Benson sang the music of the part of Jonathan
with great intelligence and feeling ; this young tenor
will be a great acquisition to these performances.
The hall, as usual, was crowded in every part.