The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-14 00:00:00

7.LONDON, MONDAY. EVENING, APRIL l4, 1851.

LADY FRANKLIN'S RENEWED EXPE-

DII7ON.

The following interesting paper has been circulated by
Lady Franklin, who is again fitting out the Prince
Albert at Aberdeen, and which is intended to sail on the
Ist of May. We cordially wish her success, and as
good a run out as she had last year under Captai❑
Forsyth:—
"It having been ascertained last year that an im-
portant part of the field of search for the missing Arctic
Expedition could not he explored by any of the ships
then engaged, or about to bo engaged in the service, it
was resolved to equip a supplementary expedition for
the examination of the portion thus unprovided for.
" The part alluded to includes Regent Inlet and the
passages connecting it with the Western Sea, S.W. of
Cape Walker, to which latter quarter Sir John Franklin
was required by his instructions to proceed in the first
instance. This search was assumed to be necessary on
the following grounds:—
"First—The probability of Sir J. Franklin having
abandoned his vessels to the S.W. of Cape Walker.
Second—The fact that when Sir John Franklin
sailed, ho believed that an open passage was to be found
from the westward into the south part of Regent Inlet,
according to the chart supplied to him from the Admi-
ralty, and which does not exhibit the discoveries of Rae,
made subsequently to that period. The chart annexed
is a copy of that we allude to.
" Third—Sir John Franklin would be more likely to
take this course, through a country known to possess
the resources of animal life, with the wreck of the Vic-
tory in Felix harbour for fuel, and the stores of Fury
Beach further north, in view, than to fall upon an utterly
barren region of the north coast of America.
Foutth—He would be more likely to expect succour
to be sent to him by way of Lancaster Sound and Bar-
row's Strait, into which Regent Inlet opens, than in any
other direction. _ .

"In corroboration of the necessity of this part of the
search, we may refer generally to the Parliamentary
papers of 1818, '49, and '5O, and may hero quote the
very important words of an experienced Arctic officer,
Captain Beechey, p. 31 of the first series—' If, in this
condition (that of being hopelessly blocked up to the
S.W. of Cape Walker), which I trust may not be the
case, Sir John Franklin should resolve upon taking to
his boats, he would prefer attempting a boat navigation
through Sir James Ross's Strait, and up Regent Inlet,
to a long land journey across the continent to the Hudson
Bay settlements, to which the greater part of his crew
would be wholly unequal.' And again, in his letter to
the Secretary of the Admiralty, 7th of Feb., 1850, Cap-
tain Beechey writes, . . . . the bottom of Regent
Inlet, about the Peliy Islands, should not be left unex-
amined. In the memorandum submitted to their Lord-
ships 17th January, 1849, this quarter was considered of
importance, and I am still of opinion that had Sir John
Franklin abandoned his vessels near the coast of Ame-
rica, and much short of the Mackenzie River, he would
have preferred the probability of retaining the use of his
boats until he found relief in Barrow's Straits, to risking
an overland journey via the before-mentioned river; and
it must be remembered that at the time he sailed Sir
George Back's discovery had rendered it very probable
that Boothia was an island.'

" The memorandum alluded to by Captain Beechey as
having been submitted to the Lords of the Admiralty
on the 17th of January, 1849, was the expression of the
unanimous opinion of the Arctic officers assembled by
command of the Admiralty to deliberate upon the best
means to be taken for the relief of the missing ex-
pedition; and in this report clause 14 is expressly de-
voted to the recommendation of the search of Regent
Inlet.
" Upon the grounds above stated was founded the ne-
cessity of an auxiliary expedition, and accordingly last
spring a small vessel, the Prince Albert, was fitted out
to convey two boat parties to Regent Inlet for the search
of its western shore, and of the passages or isthumes
connecting it with, or dividing it from, the western sea,
including James Ross and Simpson Strait. This expe-
dition was equipped for an absence of two years' dura-
tion if required; but returned in less than five months,
unhappily without effecting any part of its object, a
failure which was owing to circumstances that do not in
any degree affect the practicability or hopefulness of a
renewed attempt. The vessel has been proved well fitted
for the service, whilst the intelligence which it has
brought back that traces of the missing expedition had
been discovered far to the westward, on Cape Riley, in
the route to Cape Walker, confirms the presumption
upon which the vessel was sent out, and gives increased
ground for hope in the renewed search. The necessity
for its renewal will be the more apparent when it is
stated that the early return of the Prince Albert is un-
known either to Captain Austin, Captain Penny, or the
American ships employed in the search, so that the er-
roneous impression must exist among them that this
special service is even now in the course of accomplish-
ment. . _

" The resumption of the interrupted search being thus
deemed necessary, the command of the expedition will
be given to Mr. Kennedy, late an officer in the Hudson
Bay Company's service, who has come over from
Canada for the purpose of affording his gratuitous ser-
vices. Mr. Kennedy was eight years on the coast of
Labrador, and was the first European who ever visited
its northern coast. Ho has had consequently very great
experience in the kind of service to which he has now
so nobly devoted himself. A whaling captain of very
great experience 1,-.s been engaged to conduct the Prince
Albert, under ths erders of Mr. Kennedy, to her desti-
nation. The sum of 3,7001. was expended last year in
sending out the Prince Albert, of which nearly 1,6001.
was supplied by subscription, the remainder being de-
rived from Lady Franklin's private resources. It is cal.
ciliated that, in addition to what remains of these pri-
vate resources, about 1,0004 will be required to meet the
current pay of the master, his subordinate officers and
crew, as well as the expenses of the necessary refittings
and additional stores.

" The necessity for the proposed search may be thus
further developed. The very open season of 1845, in
which Sir John Franklin commenced his enterprise, was
followed by others of extreme severity; and it is most
probab!e, that having, iu obedience to his instructions,
attempted to effect the passage westward, by cnteri,,g
the region S.W. of Cape Walker, his progress was there
arrested during succeeding seasons, and that he ulti-
mately was compelled to abandon his ships, when his
provisions became nearly exhausted. Such a necessity
may have arisen somewhere about the latitude of 74 deg.
N., long. 105 deg. W.; in short at any point S.W. of
Cape Walker, not farther W. than long. 110 deg. And
in such case, rather than return north (which might be
indeed practicable), or move south upon the American
continent, of which (upon the coast) the utter barren-
ness was already well known to him, he might prefer a
south-eastern course, with a view of passing in his boats,
either through James Ross Strait, or through Simpson
Strait, into the Gulf of Boothia, and so up into Regent
Inlet to the house and- stores left at Fury Beach, the
only deeot of provisions known to him. The advantages
of such a course might appear to him very great.
" First—Two open passsges being laid down in the
Admiralty Chart into Regent Inlet, by James Ross
Strait, and by Simpson Strait, a means of boat transport
for his party would he afforded, of which alone perhaps
their exhausted strength and resources might admit;
such a course would obviously recommend itself to a
commander who had experienced the frightful difficul-
ties of a land journey in these regions.
" Second—The proposed course would lead through a
part, the south of Boothia, in which animal life is known
at some seasons to abound; the testimony of Sir John
Ross upon this point, as shown in his work, being very
strong, and well known to Sir John Franklin.
" Third—The Esquimaux frequenting this part of
Boothia were found by Sir John Ross to be extremely
well disposed and friendly, though they could not be
induced, during his detention of three years and more, to
act as guides to remote parts beyond their accustomed
limits. It may be remarked, that Sir John Ross first
communicated with the Esquimaux at Boothia Felix, in
January, 1830, and that on the 27th July, 1834, Sir
George Back first met the Esquimaux at the mouth of
the Back River, at which date they know nothing of any
ship having been in Regent Inlet. In other worth', the
news had not travelled 200 miles in four years and a half.
" Fourth—lt is the direct route towards the habitual
yearly resort of the whalers on the west coast of Baffin
Bay and Davis Strait. Indeed these ships occasionally
descend Regent Inlet to a considerable distance south.
" Fifth—There aro two persons attached to Sir John"
Franklin's expedition who are well acquainted with this
region and its resources—viz., Mr. Blanky ice-master;
and Mr. Macdonald, assistant-surgeon of the Terror. The
former was with Sir John Ross in the Victory. The
latter has made several voyages in whaling vessels, and
is acquainted with the parts lying between the Regent
Inlet and Davis Strait. Where so tew amongst the
crews of the missing ships have had any local experience,
the concurrent knowledge of two persons would have
considerable weight.
" Sixth—Opinions are very greatly divided as to the
part in which Sir John Franklin's party may have been
arrested, and as to the course they may have taken in
consequence. It would be therefore manifestly unfair
and most dangerous to reason out and magnify any one
hypothesis at the expense of the others. The plan now
proposed seeks to provide for the probability of the ex-
pedition having been stopped shortly after the passing
to the south-west of Cape Walker. The very open sea-
son of 1845 was followed by years of unusual severity
until the last. It is therefore very possible that retreat
as well as onward progress has been impossible—that
safety alone has become their last object. Can it be that
now, when the hope of rescuing them in their last ex-
tremity depends (as far as human means can ensure it)
on the multiplying of simultaneous efforts in every direc-
tion, the necessity of this one should not be recognised?
The special search which is now pleaded for must be
neglected unless a vessel be sent out purposely to carry
it into effect."

DEATH OF THE HON. CAPTAIN DUDLEY A. W.
PELHAM, R.N., M.P.—We regret to announce the unexpected
demise of the above gallant officer, who expired yesterday,
at his residence, in Motcomb- street, Belgrave, square, in his
39th year. He was youngest son of the late, and brother to
the present, Earl of Yarborough, and married, 1839, daughter
of Rear-Admiral Sir John Gordon Sinclair, Bart., by whom
he has left an infant family. He was a Liberal in politics,
and was elected for Boston on the retirement of Sir James
Duke, Bart.
DEATH OF THE HON. F. SAVILLE.-TtliS gentle-
man died on the 3d of April, a Coblentz, after a short
illness. The deceased was fifth son of the Earl and Countess
of Mexborough. He married in 1639, Antonina, daughter of
the Rev. William Archdall, by whom he leaves issue three
children. Mr. Saville was brother to Lord Pollington, late
M.P. for Pontefract.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.— On Friday information was
received by the Metropolitan Police that the loyal Ordnance
Powder-mills, at Waltham Abbey, bad been burglariously
entered and plunderer) of a large amount of property. The
thieves broke into the cashier's dice, and, forcing open the
iron-safe, they took from it 3201. in Bank of England notes,
196 sovereigns, and 18s. 2d. in silTer and copper. They also
effe.;ted an entry into the storekeeper's-room, from whence
they took la Besides the cash, they took a quantity of
powder, and got clear away with, their booty.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION
OF FINE ARTS.
Very fortunately for the artists of this country,
there is no lack of opportunities for the public dis-
play of their paintings. Outside the galleries of the
Royal Academy they can find accommodation for
their works in one or other of the numerous subordi-
nate exhibitions. For instance, there are the walls of
the British Institution, there are those of the Society
in Suffolk-street, there are the apartments of the old
and new Water Colour Establishments, there are the
rooms of Mr. Grundy, and further on, in Regent-
street, there are the saloons of the Portland
Gallery, nearly opposite the Polytechnic. On
Saturday we had the gratification of attending
at the last mentioned exhibition of pictures, on the
occasion of the private view, prior to the opening of
the collection to public view this morning. Having
luckily visited the Portland Gallery before it had
become inconveniently crowded with visitors we had
the satisfaction of surveying the works of art on the
walls under somewhat advantageous circumstances.
When it is remembered that the majority of the
paintings are the productions of young and conse-
quently inexperienced artists, but artists manifestly,
in the very selection of their themes, ambitious, and
for that reason, therefore, entitled to attention, it
must be obvious that with an abundance of
blemishes to pardon, the critic has much to
admire, to marvel at, and to commend. It is, per-
haps, this fact, more than any other, which, to our
thinking, invests the collection in the Portland Gal-
lery with a more than usual interest. Among the
mass of unknown aspirants, however, may be recog-
nised the names of men already well known by the
power and versatility of their productions. Conspi-
cuous among these, moreover, willlbe noticed the name
of the president of the institution, Mr. R.'S. Lauder,
several of whose pictures this year are of admirable
ability. His "Christ Walking on the Sea," No.
61, perhaps the most remarkable painting in
the collection, is a noble evidence of his
capabilities, conceived in a lofty spirit, and prodaced
with a bold and daring mastery of the materials of art.
The figure of the Saviour, serene and majestic, stands
in the lull between two enormous waves green as
emerald, and transparent in their liquid modulation.
The one form appears alone amidst the awful solitudes
of the sea ; and the sun having already sunk below the
horizon has left a solemn glare of red in its wake—
the ruddy streak of light contrasting finely
with the darkness coming over the rest of the
waters. Another painting from the same
hand represents " John the Baptist in the
Wilderness," No. 281, a work of great excellence,
especially in reference to the grouping. The figure
in the foreground, among the listeners, bears, inten-
tionally perhaps, but we cannot but think unfortu-
nately, too manifest a resemblance to the form and
features of the Divine Redeemer. " Macbeth," No.
tel 9, by E. J. Niemann, is in admirable keeping with
its theme, wild and weird as the very sound of the
marvellous poesy itself. The Thane of Cawdor and
his companion, startled in one of the gloomier por-
tions of the " blasted heath" by the ghastly appa-
rition of the witches, are portrayed with
an obvious appreciation of the text of Shak-
' spere—the altitude of the ridge on which the
weird sisters are grouped, being well indicated by
the crow winging its way to the " dusky woods,"
whilst the mists congregate over the moor, and the
" light thickens " into twilight. The " Destruction
of Pompeii and Herculaneum," No. 32, by L. W.
Desanges, is a not unsuccessful venture upon a path
already trodden grandly by John Martin. A
charming portrait of " Rudolph, youngest son
of Sir Alexander and Lady Spearman," No.
113, is contributed by the same master to the
collection. R. R. Mc lan has two spirited
and admirable paintings in the gallery; one No.
68, " The Highland Sword Dance, or Ghillie
Callum," an animated representation of that most
animated of dances, wanting only the bagpipes as an
accompaniment, and suggesting rather a painful
idea of fatigue in the old fellow who is whistling the
melody ; and another, No. .219, depicting some
" Highland Children going to School—Lochabar"—
most of them blowing their nails to warm them in
the bitterness ofi `the season, while the gilli
nen adhere blows his horn in advance of his compa-
nions. R. Burchett arrests our attention at the very
entrance of the gallery with his clever delineation of
the "Death of the Venerable Bede," No. 2, one of
the sublimest deaths ever recorded by biographer.
The subject is taken from the beautiful account fur-
nished us by Cuthbert, the favourite disciple of the
good and wise old monk of Yarrow. It runs as fol-
lows :—" The young disciple I spoke of before,
whose name was Wilberth, said to him, Dear master,
there is still one sentence that is not written.' He
answered, Write quickly.' The young man said,
It is now done." Thou bast said well,' said he,
all is consummated, hold now my head, that I may
have the pleasure to sit looking towards my little
oratory, where I used to pray, and whilst I am sitting
may call upon my Heavenly Father,' and thus sitting
on the flour of his little habitation, he sang Glory be
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost;' and when he had named the Holy Ghost he
breathed out his soul." The whole scene is monastic
in its character, and is portrayed with an elevated pathos.
Among the sea-pieces we may especially notice, No.
46, "A Dutch Market Boat leaving Shore," by A.
Montague, delightfully fresh and breezy throughout ;
and No. 124, a dashing picture of " An Affray," by
11. P. Parker. "An Incident in the Life of St.
Elizabeth of Hungary," No. 177, by J. Collinson, is
a noble specimen of its school, the countenance of St.
Elizabeth in particular being depicted with a wonder-
ful expression of devotional rapture. Among the
more meritorious works of Mr. R. S. Lauder should
have been noticed before this, No. 256, his clever
delineation of " The Lady f Shallott," from the
lovely verse of the Laureate Tennyson. The shadows
and reflections in the mirror are wonderfully managed.
What can possibly be said of W. H. Deverell's
" Banishment of Hamlet," No. 53—what ? But that
it is a detestable sample of a most execrable style—
out-Franciaing-Francia—hard, angular, grotesque,
more hard, more angular, and more grotesque than
any limning on a stained glass window of the mid-
dle ages ! The collection, after all we have said, is
richest in landscapes than in any other kind of pro-
ductions, and its finest landscapes we have not yet
particularised. S. 11. Percy contributes one of the
finest of these, being No. 39, " Llyn Id wall, North
Wales"—the lights and shadows on the distant
mountains in the background being entitled
to especial admiration for their truthfulness.
Another and a yet nobler picture, by the
same artist, is No. 250, " Summer—Storm
clearing off"—a painting such as Thomson would
have prized and appreciated. The broken tree to-
wards the centre of the picture—the draggled and
saturated look of the vegetation, and the wild and
scattered look of the clouds passing off we might al-
most fancy with a muttering of thunder in the dis-
tance—all are admirable, and prove the painter to be
no unobservant student of nature. J. C. Bentley has
one or two clever pictures in the exhibition, such as
No. 71, " The old Mill Ferry ;" and No. 160, a
" Scene on the Weaning in Yorkshire." As usual,
G. A. Williams is ;among the most successful con-
tributors ; No. 162, " A Morning on the
Thames," and No. 189, " Stacking the Autumn
Hay Crop—Evening," being exquisite specimens of
his ability. The last is a rich sunny piece of English
rural life. Two little circular pictures from the same
hand win our admiration at a glance—No. 239,
" Midday," somewhat too dark, by the way, for the
hour indicated, and No. 217, "Evening," with a
warm sunset glow on the tree-tops. J. Collinson has a
clever rustic scene, entitled "The Reply," No. 93, and
a " Fruit-piece," No. 120, by W. Duffield, arrests the
attention as a picture highly meritorious. A view of
the " Boulogne Coast," No. 222, by E. J. Cobbett,
appears to us one of the curiosities of the gallery,
odd in treatment, and yet singularly natural in
its effect. " The Halt, Smugglers," No. 276, by
11. P. Parker must not be overlooked, animated as it
is and true as reality, even to the very biscuits in
the blue cotton handkerchief. A Cottage interior,
No. 312, by A. Provis ; a Landscape with.a watery
atmosphere lit up with sunshine,.and having ajwonder-
fully beautiful appearance, No. 223, by A. Gilbert ;
a charming group of three children suffused with the
pink glare of sunrise, and poetically entitled the
"Morning of Life," No. 335, byjL.W. Desanges—also
demand from us some eulogistic mention however in-
cidental. In the Water Colour Room we observe a
capital sketch of " A Young Shaver," in the manner
of W. Hunt, No. 343, by W. Ilemsley. altogether
the gallery, as may be conjectured from :our notice,
is in same respects of more than average excellence,
several of the pictures in the gallery being of a meritrat
really entitled to praise bordering even on pan egyric.

LYCEUM THEATRE, MR. RISDEN'S BENEFIT.—
The benefit of Mr. W. B. Risden, assistant box-bookkeeper
will
and box-keeper to the dress circle, which was fixed for the
7th instant, but which was unavoidably postponed in con-
sequence of the closing of the theatrhe e, ta
will ke
ie p placcese one
day
be
tli seconde A
All
lvteieckk
tickets
Easter,
issued
for'r the we under-
stand,
b
n
performed.
be available at the forthcoming benefit. Mr.
liisden, who is suffering we believe, from severe indisposi-
tion, was' not aware of the closing of the house until the
evening of the 7th.
We understand that a movement is now going on
amongst the influential shareholders of the York, Newcastle,
and Berwick Railway, to invite George Hudson, Esq., M.P.,
to resume the chair of their important company.
OPENING OF THE SOUTH WALES RAILWAY FROM
CHEPSTOW.—The 18th of June next has been fixed as the
day for opening the portion of the South 'Wales line from
Chepstow to Gloucester, in order to complete the rail com-
munication between that city and Swansea. The bridge
over the Wye at Chepstow is in a forward state; a single
lino of rails will be laid down by the proposed date of open-
jug. Great exertions are being made to complete the heavy
tunnel at Cwnabwrltt, to the west of Swansea, andlin order
to accomplish this a large number of excavators have been
employed. The works in Pembrokeshire are being pushed
forward with all possible speed. Strenuous exertions are
being made to complete the Vale of Neath line, so as to be
opened Dimultautously 'with the kouth Walla

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
La Muta di Partici was repeated on Saturday, and
was received, from beginning to end, with enthusiastic
auplause. The magnificent acting of Mademoiselle
Monti more than confirmed the very high opinion which
we expressed of her powers on Friday. She is the
greatest mime the world ever saw. Signor Pardini was
suffering so severely from influenza that be was com-
pelled, at the end of the second act, to resign the part of
Massaniello to M. Poultier, whose manner of rendering
the character gave general satisfaction. Madame Fiorcn-
tini sang the music of Elvira exquisitely, and Massol was
as great as ever in,Pietro. The choruses were given with
admirable precision, and the superbness of the wise en
scene elicited repeated plaudits. Her Majesty and Prince
Albert honoured the theatre with their presence.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
COVEN T-GARDEN.
Roberto it Diavolo was to have been performed here
on Saturday, with Tamberlik as the hero, and it was
understood that her Majesty would honour the theatre
with her presence. On the doors being opened the fol-
lowing hand-bill was found posted over the money-
takers' box:—
" It is with extreme regret that the directors are com-
pelled to announce that the illness of Signor Tamberlik,
c
was this afternoon so greatly increased as entirely to c.-
prive him of his voice, and it will therefore be impos-
sible to perform the opera of Roberto it Diavolo this
evening. The opera of Semirainide will be substi-
tuted, in which Madame Grisi and Mademoiselle Angri
will perform; the part of Assur will be sung by Signor
Salvatori. who, although still suffering most severely
from hoarseness and sore throat, has most kindly con-
sented to appear. Under these circumstances, the direc-
tors most respectfully request the kind indulgence of the
audience.
"Royal Italian Opera, April 12, 1851."
" MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
" I hereby certify that it is quite impossible for
Signor Tamberlik to perform this evening, in conse-
quence of complete loss of voice from a sudden attack of
influenza. A. BILLING M.D.
" April 12, 1851.' " ,
It was also understood that her Majesty would not be
present in consequence of the postponement of Roberto.
No sooner had the overture to Semiramide commenced
than a row began which completely drowned the music,
the calls for " Gye" were uproarious and continuous, and
it was not until Grisi appeared that calm was re-estab-
lished. She soon sang the rioters into good humour,
and the opera proceeded in the usual manner. Both
Grisi and Angri were in excellent voice.