Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-03-21
JflisrRIlanRuug.
DR.. Kane, the Arctic Explorer.

DIR. Kane, the ArCtlC Explorer
Eoclor Elisha Kent Kane is not
quite thlrty-four years old, yet he has
done more than circumnavigate the
globe he has visited and traversed
India, Africa, Europe, South Ameri-
ca, the islands Of the Pacific, and
twice penetrated the Arctic region to
the highest latitude attained 10y CIV
iIized man
As boy, his instructive bent I'M
PEELED him to the Indulgence and en-
ioyment Of such adventures as were
best fitted to train him for the work
before hlm. His collegiate studies
suffered some poslponemeut, while
his physical qualities pressed for their
necessary training and discipline. 1t
was almost in the spirit Of truancy
that he explored the Blue Mountains
Of Virginia, asa student Of geology,
under the guidance of Professor
/ Rodgers, and cultivated, at once, his
hardhood of vital energy and those
elements Of natural science which
were 10 qualify bun for hls after SER
vices in the field OF physIcol geogra-
ply. But, in due time he returned
To the pursuit of literature, and a
chieved the usual houors, as well as
though his college studies had suffer-
ed no diycrslou-hls muscles and
nerves were educated, and his brain
lost nothing by the indirectuess of
its Development but was rather cor
roboraied for all the uses which 1t
has served since. He graduated at
the University of Pennsylvania
first, M its collegiate, and afterwards
in MS medical, department. His
special rclshes in study Indicated his
natural drift; chemistry and surgery /;
natural science IN its most intimate
converse with substance, and the
remedial art IN It's most heroic lunc-
ton lie went out from his alma
Hater a good classical scholar a
good chemist, mlnemlogist, asltono-
ner and surgeon. But he lacked,
or thought he lacked, robustness of
frame and soundness OF health. lie
solicited an appointment IN The navy,
and upon his admission demanded
active service. lie was appointed
upon the diplomatic staff as surgeon
to the first American Embassy TO
China. This position gave him op-
portunlty to explore the Philippine
Islands. which he effected mainly on
foot. He was the first man who de-
scended into the crater of Taol ;
lowered more than a hundred feet by
bamboo rope from the oyerhangiug
cliff, and chmberlng down some sew
en- hundred more through the scorIT,
he made a typographical sketch OF
the interior of this great volcano
collected bottle OF sulphurous acid
from the very mouth OF the crater
and, although he was drawn up at
most senseiess, he brought with him
bis portrait of this Mdcuus cavern.
and The specimens which 1t afforded.
Before the return from Tins TRIP
ho had ascended the lllmalayas, aud
tHaugu.ated Greece ou foot; he had
- visited Ceylou, the Upper Nile, anc
all the Hydrologic region of Egypt
tra,erslug the route, and making The
acquaintance Of the learned Lepsl
d as, vino was then prosecuting hi'
archaeological researches.
}, Athome again, when the Mexican
war broke out he asked TO be remoy
T. ed from the Philadelphia Navy YarC
20 to the field Of more congenlal ser
vice but the government sent hin
10 the coast of Africa. Here he Wis
I'D tied the slave factories, from Cap,
Mount TO the river Bonny, aud thro
u the Infamous Da Souza, got acces
p to the haracoons of Dahomy, ant
- contracted, besides, the coast fever
20 from the effects of which he ha
81 never enlrely recovered.
D From Africa, he returned befor
the close Of the Mexican war, an,
believing that his constitution wa
o. broken, and hls health rapidly going
d he called upon President Polk, an,
a demanded an opportunity for seryic
" that might crowd the liIlle remuan
pa of his life with achievements in keep
ing with his ambition the Presidcu
Just then embarasSe ! 10y tempora
~ non intercourse with Gen. Scott
:. charged the Doctor with despaiche
10 the General of great moment an,
urgency, which must be carried lhrc
j. a region occupied by the enemy
This embassy was marked by an ad
venture So romantic, and so llIustra
> tive of the character Of the mar
that we are tempted TO detail it.
On his way to the Gulf he secur
ed a horse in Kentucky, such as
knight errant would have chosen 60
the companion and sharcr of his ad
I, ventures. Landed at Vera Cruz h
asked ior an escort TO convey him T.
IS the capitol, but the officer in CON
mand had no troopers TO spare-h
3, must wait, or he must accept, instead
e. a band of rullian Mexicans, Gale,
, the Spy Company, who had take
81" to the business of treason and lHclI
cry for a livelihood. lie accepte
them, and went forward. Near Pu
~, ebla his troops encountered bod
in Mexicans escortlng number of dis
10. lingushed officers to OriXaba, anon
p whom were Major General Gaon'
Ic Governor of Puebla his son, Max
milan, the General Toreio", VIII