Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-09
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.


SMITHSONIAN 4NeqITpTIoN.
u. ksHf'a le6ipres al ne -lretic Regisns
The third Lesture Of Dr. Kane was delivered on
Friday night before large and intellectual audience
The lecture room denseiy packet at early
hour, and many were unable To obtain admission
We think that the sanguine views of the speaker were
FULLY borne out by his ass, ana were loudly respond
ed to by the audience. Il was impossible not to ieel
the sincerity of his convictions and the strong
grounds upon which he based them
Alter repeating, by request. his former arguments
IN favor OIL the existence of Sir John Franklin aud his
party, Dr. Kane went describe the perS to which
me American expedition was exposed during its long
and unique drift in the polar ice. One of these struck
us especially fearful. The vessels about TO
enter BathnS Bay fast in great field OF solid ice,
when suddenly this was rent into chasins which ra-
pldly opened into what were characterized by DR..
Kane dark rivers nearly half wide as the Poto-
On the 18th January of lastyear these began 10
close with frghtful camor and disruption. The brig
was bodily lifted up seven feet, and advancing
mound of ice threatened to overwhem her, when by
some miraculous agency its course was arrested
The subsequent portions OF the Lecture were full
OF novelty; they related to some OF the physical phe
of this wonderful region. The first of these
was
TUE POLAR CIRCLE.
This, with its gradual and lnsidious approach was
graphically depicted. At the appalling temperatures
of 40 deg and so min 10 deg to 80 deg, below the
freezing point cold became sensible in its effects as
heat indeed between the positive effects OF the very
high and the negative OF the very low scale, it i'm
possible to distinguish by sensation. Upon going out
into the open air the lace became encrusted with icy
nd, and the lips glued tsgether by he cementing
aid THE beard and monstsche. The trigger OF a gun
bistered the finger, and jack knife in the panaloons
pocket caused you to Jump with sudden scsld.-
During the long darkness when they attempted to be.
guile the winter hours with theatrcas, unfortunate
Thesplan dropred the paniommic flat iron though
receiving sudden burn. Indeed next day of
bisters had given evidence OF the truth that, in
peraure as in every thing else. extremes meet.
THE POLAR NIGHT.
ha dorkn he nj
stole gradually upon voyagers, aud at last the
clear heavens shoDe out perpetuay with uncha nging
stars. The pole star was nearly overhead as to ap
pear 10 the absolute zenith and around it the great
vault OF heaven revolved with perpetual twinkle
This portion of the Lecture listened to with
GREATNESS attention. AT last however. the night passed
came upon them Dr. Kans said This short period OF
alienation, giving them az it did the familiar day and
night OF home, was full OF pain iu associations.
At this time many peculiar phenomena were noticed
Among these stood prominently
PARAaELINE AND LUNAR HALos.
The moon was observed surrounded by two con
centric circles, each lntersected by luminous bands
passing through her disc. DR.. Kane hadseen at one
time six Initiative moons, aping, though teebly the
great satellite.
THE AURORA
This was not the display, either of color or illu-
mination, or movements which Is seen in more south
ern latludes. Dr.. Kane mentioned that he had OBJ
served the aurora directly overhead, nearly coin
eident with the magnetic meridian. They were then
polar direction was RE- d by the compass north
In other words, their magnetic variation was $50
deg.
PARHELIA
W nth the daylight came the pahelia, mock suns.
These, Ike the naraselina, or mock moons, were
tul OF variety. The lecturer very properly observed
that 1t was sort OF PROCLAMATION to attempt to describe
SKY traVersed with ranbows and glIttering with
initiative suns.
REFRAcTIoN.
Last OF these most interesting displays came ere
tractlon;" that form of ii well known under
the name OF mirage The marvels Of this wonder
iul Illusion although sustained by the united expert
enee OF all arctic veyagers, surpass the conceptions
OF the realty Saracenlc cities glittered in the 'pur-
pies OF the low sunighI;' steamers fumed in
the vibrating distance. All these described with
poetic yet truthful force of detail.
But, leaving all this, DR.. Kane last escaped from
the great pack ice by Bafin's bay Once more the
sincere but expressive euosium of his commander and
messmates came naturally fom DR.. Kane Lieut.
DE Haven had determined to renew the search to the
northward, and his officers, to man, sustained him.
THE SECOND SEASON.
Once more, then, the battered little vessels turned
their bows to the morrill, but their path not free
one. lce5ergs hemmed them in, and soon they were
last bound by midsummer ice. Here, but for The ex-
erclse OF unceasng watchiulness, they upon the
very verge OF being made prisoners for second win
ter But Providence had otherwise wllled It, and by
incalcuable exeltons they escaped.
In the concluding sentences OF his lecture, Dr. Kane
reviewed their operaols stating that they had fallen
winter at the north almost directly upon his track; but
circumstances beyond their control called hem from
the seat OF search. He alluded modesy, but in terms
OF unrestricted CONNIE ndatlon, to the of Hen.
ry Grlnnel, in connexion with the expedition which
bears his name. 1t is enough, said DR.. Kane, to
have Impressed that upon the furhest land range
that any POI ar navgators have yet returned to verify;
IFS more substantial record is that universal reeogni-
ton OF purity of intention and honesty of purpose
which Is impressed upon the convictions of our entire
community.
Dr. Kane then made an eloquent appeal in favor of
renewal OF the search for the missing vessels and
crews, which to be appreciated should have been lis
tened to; and thus closed one of the most interesting
courses OF lectures delivered the Institution