New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
V,yE.s ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

pr. Kane il one Of the singularly Fortunate men
who are permitted not only to perform noble ac-
tiops but 10 leave worthy record OF their history
The admirable qualities which be has displayed IN
the discharge of his official duties are sure pledge
Of permanent fame. Courage, wisdom, fertility OF
resource. power Of endurance devotion to an idea,
and skill in accomplishment, are stamped on hi'
intrepid career Of Arctic research The tulness oil
marhood gives q lofty character To his adventurous
course. He might well be content with his ex-
ploits which have called forth an order of talent,
that is rarely combined with the conditions OF III
erary excellence. Distinction as writer was un-
necessary TO give brilhaDcy to his achievements
But in the composition Of these volumes, be has
gained new title to the admiration OF the puolc.
II they presented merely narrative of other mems
performances, they would be counted as produc
tiops of remarkable interest for their graphic vgor
Of description and the richness and novelty of the
information which they impart. But as transcript
of personal experience, they occupy unique place
in literature Written with rare modesty OF tone,
great simplicity Of expression, and a certain cor
dial frankness of manner, securing the sympathy OF
the reader. which at the same time is evidently
| taken for granted, they possess peculiar charm,
apart from their unGuestonabie value as memorials
| Ct mart me discovery.
The specific features OF Dr. Kane plan of re-
search consisted in making the land-ma':es OF the
north Of Greenland the basis Of operations assum-
| Ing from the snaogies OF geographical structure,
that Greenland was to be regarded as peninsula
approaching the vicinity Of the Pole, rather than
as congeries of islands connected by interior ga'
ciers On this hypothesis, the course was to pass
up Baffin's Bay to the most northern attanable
point. ard thence, pressing on toward the Pole, as
far as boats or sedeos could reach, to examine the
coast.lnes for vestiges of the lost party The Ex-
pedition which sailed in the Advance consisted Of
seyenteen uen besides the commander. The
equirmept was simple. quantity of rough
boards 10 serve for housing the vessel in Winter,
some India rubber and canvas tents aud several
strong sledges, built on a convenient model com
peted the outfit For prov isions, they took lib
eral supply ofpemmican, parcel of Borden's meat
biscuit some packages of prepared potato, store
Of dried fruits and vegetables beside picked cab
baae. the salt beef and pork of the Navy ration,
lnrd biscuit and flour. 4 moderate supply of
LIQUORS made up the bill of fare although the party
were pledged to total abstinence frop this article,
unless dispensed by special order.
Leaving New York on the 30th of May, 1853, the
Advance arrived at the harbor of Fuskernaes on the
lst of July. They proceeded gradually along the
coast. until on the nth of July they neared the en-
trance Of Melville Bay Here they encountered their
| first serious obstruction from the ice; Dr. Kaue
promptly decided TO attempt passage through the
bsy by new track; and after a rough transit of
eight days the wisdom OF the plan was confirmed
By lis success In less than week they entered
Smiths Sound, and landing near Litteton's Island,
deposited boat with supply of stores, with the
view of securing retreat in case of disaster.
1--WE found TO our surprise tn Il we were not the first
Inn an b,iups ho had sought shelter III this desOate
srot few uiIed walls here and there showed that
! j. Tad been the seat ct rude settlement; asa III
H. , knoll which we cleared away to- cover In our
sturcbOust OF VhluhDes' We louno 'He hci'ai ioia'
| of their former inhaouan's
than these memorials Of txlnct life Hardly ve'tIge
| of orowih was traccnble the bare lceruobedrock
ard tho bu,s resembied much the broken fragments
th,t sur,u ded them, that al first sight 1t was hard TO
| dis,iucuish ole from tho other. Walrus bones lay
obopt IN al directions, showing that this animal had
furnished Il staple of subsistence. There were some
r.nains too of the fox and the norwha; but fonnd
no signs of the seal or reindeer.
| "II ese Esoumaux have mother earth 10 receive
,bor dead but they seat them IS II the attitude OF re-
noso tho knees dra close 10 the body, and IocOSe
q en- in sack If skins. The implements OF the living
nnn arc tb,u GROUPED around hun; they are covered
with rude dome of stones, ana ollrh Is ped ABOVE.
his simple ceuotaph will remain intact for generation
| a.,,r poperaton. The Esquimaux never disturb q
| grave"
On the Western Cape Of LittletOn Island they
erected carp, which might serve as beacon to
any following party, wedged astaf into the creyices
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 com
peed to moor their vessel 70 the rocks Among
the petty miseres which they now began to suffer,
was pack Of some fifty dogs, which formed very
ineonyenient appendase to the travelling party.
| These animals were yoracous wolves. II was
10 easy matter 70 supply such hungry family with
food. They deyoured couple Of bears i'll eight
DAYS Two pounds Of raw flesh every other day
was scanty allowance; but to obtain this vas
almost impossible. The pemmican could not be
sDared-corn-mea or beans they would not touch
and salt Junk would have killed them. The timely
| di.coyery Of dead nsrwhal or unicorn proved an
excellent relief aaurdiDg s'I hundred pounds Of
good wholesome flesh, though Of q rather unsayory
| odOr.
But more serious trial Was at hand The vessel
had been released from her moorings. aud had
fought her way through the ice for several days,
when the ky gave tokens Of an approaching storm.