Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-09
MISCELLANY.
DR.. KANE.


WHEN a mans life is heoric, aud his name
has passed into history, the world wants to know
him personally, intimately. The grave and
reverend chioncier," passing once his begin
nings, presents him abruptly in his iullgrown
greatness men render the admiration earned,
but the sympathetic emulation Weakened is con-
cerned to know how he grew into his maturity
OF excellence. This curiosity is not an ideness
OF the fancy, but personal interest in The facts
that spring out Of those aspirations which put
every man upon the fulflIment of his avn des-
tiny. How came this man to excc-what was
in him-what happend 10 develop il ! Some
men are born great; some achieve greatness
ihnrstupo them" How came this man by il :
1t is within my reach alsui and, by what means
History proyokes US with such queries as these !;
Biography answers them.
DR.. Elisha Kent Kane is no, quite thirty
four years old yet he has done more than cir
cun,navigate the globe he has visited and
traversed India, Africa, Europe. South Ameri-
ca, the islands Of the Pacific, and twice peue-
traieh the Arctic region to the highest latitude
attained by civilized man. lie has encountered
the EXTREMIST perils Of sea and land, in every
climate Of the globe he has discharged in turn
the seyerest duties of the snldier and the sea-
man attached to the United States Navy as a
surgeon, he is, nevertheless, engaged at one
time in the coast survey Of The tropical ocean.
and IN month OF two, we find him exploring
the frigid zone; and all the while that his per-
sohal experiences had the character of rnmanic
adyeOiurer, he was publishing them in the spirit
Of scientific and philanlhropc enterprise.
As boy, his instructive bent imrelled him
TO the indulgence aud enjoyment Of such adyen-
lures as were best fitted to train him Tor the
work before him. His collegiate studies snf-
tered some postponement while his physical
qualities pressed for their necessary training and
discipline. II was almost in the spirit of tru-
ancy that he explored the Blue Monntsins Of
virginia, as student of geology, under the
guild nee OF Pfoessr Rodgers, and cultivated.
al once, his hardhood of vital energy and those
elements Of natural science which were 10 quail
ify him for his after services in the field of ply
steal geography. But, in due time he returned
to the pursuit Of literature and achieved the
usual honors, as well as though his College
studies bad suffered no diyersiun-hs muscles
and nerves were educated, and his brain lost
nothing by the indireclness of its deyelopemeni
but was rather corroboraied for all The uses
which it has served since lie graduated at
The University of Pennsy vanla--frst, in its col
leelate, ard afterwards in its medical. depart-
men'' His special relshes in study indicated
MS natural drll' chamis ry and surgery nala.
rai science IN It's most intimate converse with
suos'anee' and the remedial ant in its most he.
tolc Junction. lie went out from his Alma
mater a good classical scholar, q good chemist.
mineralogisi, astronomer, and surgeon. IN,
he lacked Robustness Of frame and sonndness of
health, lie solicited an appointment in the ma.
W, and upon his admission, demanded active
service lie was appointed upon the diplomat.
&c siaitas surgeon to the first American embassy