Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-11-15
Arttit Gtpeoition.
From the New York Tribune
KANE'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

| NAN = . AaOI1O CAI SOIAAON'
ARcr1c ExroRA rloNs.-The Second Grimel Expedition
, in Search OF Sir John Franklin. By Elisha Ken
Kune, NJ. d., 8. N. vols. svo Philadelphia
, Chids Peterson.
DIR. Kane is one of the singularly fortunate
men who are permitted not only to perform
noble actions, but to leave worthy RECORD
, of their history. The admirable qualities
which he has displayed in the discharge o
his official duties are a sure pledge of perma
nent fame. Courage, WISDOM fertility o.
resource, power of endurance, devotion tC
an idea, and skill in accomplishment, are
stamped on his intrepid career of Arctic
research. The fulness of manhood gives q
lofty character to his adventurous course. He
might well be content with his exploits, which
have called forth an honor of talent, that is
rarely combined with the conditions of liter.
ary excellence. Distinction as writer was
unnecessary to give brilliancy to his achieve
ments. But in the composition Of these
volumes, he has gained new title to the
admiration of the public. If they presented
merely q narrative Of other mems perform
ances, they would be counted as productions
Of remarkable interest, for their graphic
vigor of description, and the richness and
novelty of the information which they impart.
But rs Il transcript Of personal experience,
they occupy unique place in literature.
Written with rare mOdesty of tone, great
simplicity of expression, and certain cordial
irankncss of manner, securing the sympathy
Of the reader, which st the same time is
evidently taken for granted, they possess "a
peculiar charm, apart from their unquestion-
able value as memorials of maritime discov-
cry. ~
| The specific features Of Dr. kanes, plan
of research consisted in making the land
masses of the north Of Greenland the basis
of operations, assuming, from the analogies
of geographical structure, that Greenland
was to be regarded as peninsula approach
ing the vicinity of the Pole, rather than as a
congeries of islands connected by interior
glaciers. On this hypothesis, the course was
to pass up Batiin's Bay to the most northern
attanGble point, and thence, pressing on
toward the Pole, as far as boats or sledges
could reach to examine the coast-lines FOR
vestges Of the lost party. The Expedition
which sailed in the Advance consisted of II
men, besides the commander.-The equip
ment WAS simple. A quantity of rough
boards to serve for housing the vessel in
Winter, some India rubber and canvass tents,
and several strong sledges, built on con-
yenient model, completed the outfit. For
provisions, they took liberal supply of
pemmican a parcel of Borden's meat. biscuit,
some packages Of prepared potato, store
OF dried fruits and vegetables, besides picked
cabbage, the salt beef and pork of the Navy
ration, hard biscuit and four--A moderate
supply of liquors made up the bill OF fare,
although the party were pledged to total
abstinence from this article, unless dispensed
by special order.
Leaving New York on the Both of May,
1853 the Advance arrived at the harbor OF
Fiskernaes on the lst of July. They pro-
ceeded gradually along the coast, until on the
9th of July, they neared the entrance Of
Melville Bay. Here they encountered their
first serious obstruction from the ice; DIR.
Kane promptly decided to attempt passage
through the bay by new track, and after
rough transit Of eight days, the wisdom OF
the plan was confirmed by its success. In
less than week they entered Smiths Sound
and landing near Littleton's Island, deposited
boat with a supply Of stores, with the view
Of securing retreat in case OF disaster.
ave found to our surprise that we were
not the first human beings who has sought
shelter in this desoate spot. \ few ruined
walls here aud there showed that it hsd once
been the seat Of rude settlement and in
the little knoll which we cleared away to
cover in our storehouse Of valuables, we found
the mortal remains Of their former inhabi-
tants.
Nothing can be imagined more sad and
homeless than these memorials Of extinct
| life. Hardly vestige Of growth was trace
able on the bare ice rubbed rocks; and the
huts resembled SO much the broken fragments
that surrounded them, that at first sight it
was hard to distinguish one from the other.
| Walrus bones lay about in all directions,
showing that this animal had furnished the
staple Of subsistence. There were some
remains, too, Of the fox and the narH bal but
| found no signs Of the seal or reindeer.
These Esquimaux have no mother earth to
receive their dead but they seat them as in
the attitude of repose, the knees drawn close
| TO the body, and inclose them in n sack of
skins. The implements of the living man
are then grouped around him; they are
covered with q rude dome Of stones, and u
carn is piled above. This simple cenotaph
will remain intact for generation after gene
ration. The EsQuimauX never disturb a
grave"
On the western Cape Of Lttleton Island,
they erected cairn, which might serve as a
beacon to any following party wedged staff
into the crevices Of the rocks, and spreading
the American flag, hailed its folds with three
cheers as they expanded in the cold midnight
breeze. They Immediately resumed their
course, beating toward the north against
wind and tide, and soon arriving at the
regions of thick ribbed ice, where they were
compelled to moor their vessel to the rocks
Among tue petty miseries which they now
began to suffer, was a pack of some fifty
dogs, which formed very inconvenient ap-
pendage to the travelling party. These
animals we're voracious as wolves. 1t was no
easy matter to supply such hungry family
with food. They devoured couple of bears
in eight days. Two pounds of raw flesh
every other day was scanty allowance but
to obtain this was almost impossible.-Ihe
pemmican could not be spared--corn meal or
beans they would not touch--and salt junk
would have killed them. The timely discov-
cry Of a dead narwhal or unicorn proved an
excellent relief, aflordiug six hundred pounds
of good wholesome flesh, though of a rather
unsavory odor.
But a more serious trial was at hand. The
vessel had been released from her moorings,
and had fought her way through the ice for
several days, when the sky gave tokens OF an
approaching storm. On the 10th OF August
the tempest came on with unmistakable
Arctic fury. Its effects can be described in
no other words than those Of the journal OF
the dauntless commander;
Z" BY Saturday morning ii blew perfect