Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-02-27
enced eye win be unable to distinguish
from the genuine.
DR.. ELISHA KENT KANE.

Monday leave little roon to hope that the
death of DR.. Kane has not already taken
place. AS our readers are aware, be sailed
from England to Havana several weeks since
with view TO the amelioTation of his i'm
paired health, and at one time it was an
nounced that there was fair prospect Of
bis recovery. The tidings that have now
been received will awaken universal regret.
! Dr. Kane was man Of whom the country
became more proud with every new revela-
tion of his character. He was warmly
cherished as one Of its brightest ornaments.
and feeling Of almost personal affection
was mingled with the profound respect
which he everywhere inspired. Gallant,
brave, heroic, sinitten equally with love
of science and passion for adventure. he
possessed the mental force to convert thu
dreams Of Imagination into reality. His
late Arctic expedition, Of which he has left
such graphic and beautiful record, was
but the elimination of career which gave
early promise of it, subsequent achieve
nlents.
DR.. Kane was born in Phiadelphia in the
year 1922, and had accordingly just entered
upon his thirty fifth year. He received his
academic education at tie University of
Virginia, aud graduated as Doctor of
Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania
10 1S43 Soon after that date he entered
the Uuited States Navy as assistant surgeon,
and accompanied the FIRST American embassy
/ to China. With his native thirst for OBJ
serving the mauners and customs of strange
countries, he visited different parts of CbiLn,
the Philippines, Ceylon, and tue interior Of
India. He was the frsi white person who
descended into the crater OF the Tail of
Luzon, accomplishing this enterprise at the
hazard of his life. lie was suspended BY
bamboo rope arouni his body, from pro-
iecting crag, more than two hundred feet
above the remains of volcanic cruprions.-
With bottles of sui lphnrous acid aud other
specimens from the mouth of the crater, be
was dragged up seuseless through the scorir.
Upon this expedition, be was attacked, by
the Ladrones aud savages Of the Negrito
race, aud exposed 10 other hardshps which
proved fatal to his travelling companion.
Baron Loe Of Prussia. After this, he
traversed a considerable portion Of India,
visited Ceylon, aScended the Nile 20 the cor
fines of Nubia anu passed season in Egypt.
lie travelled through Greece on foot, aud
returned in 1876 to the Uuited States He
was Immediately ordered to the Coast of
Africa, aud sailing ia the frigate United
States, visited the slave factories from Cape
Mount to the River Bonny, and obtained
! free access TO the baracoons of Dahomey.
Returning home III precarious state Of
health, he recovered sufficiently to visit
| Mexico during the war as volunteer. He
succeeded in delivering dispatches from the
1 President TO the Commander in-Chief, et-
cortad by the notorious spy company of the
/ brigand Dominguez, and after getting the
/ better of a detachment of Mexican soldiers
whom they encountered ut Nopaluca, he was
forced to combat his companions siugle-
banded in order TO save the lives of bis
prisoners, General Torraion, General Gaona
and others, from their fury On the return
of peace, lie was ordered upon the Coust
| Survey under Prof. Bache, and was thus
employed in tile Gulf of Mexico, when no
volunteered his services to the first Grinnel
Expedition in 1850. He sas accepted ss
senior surgeon aud naturalist Of the squad
ron, and entered upon his duties with 90
enthusiasm, saeacity, aud power of endu-
rance which admirably prepared him for the
moro arduous responsibilities of the second
Expedition, the results Of which are before
the world.
In his private char iacter, DR.. Kanc dis
played ssingularly lovely and attractive
union Of qualities in striking contrast With
the bcldaess and resolution which impeled
him on his career nf adventure. The naIra-
tive of his expeditions presents delightful
ILLUSTRATION Of bis personal traits. 10 this
respect they possess the charm Of unconsci-
Gus autobiography. His modest simplicity,
bis refined tastes, his tenderness Of feeling,
and his alnnst feminine sympathies are per-
petually revealed in connection With as
dauntless courage and oonstancy as ever
ne-ved heroic heart TO lofty provost
Hence, the magnetic power which he exerted
over the companions Of his enterprise.
winning their romantic attachment, and
making himself center of light and en-
conragement amid .he darkest moments of
the forlorn hope in the Arctic seas. What
ever the scientific resalts Of his perilcus
voyages, they are of still higher sighi6csnce
in the example they have presented Of noble
per sisscnt, disin terested aud undismayed
manhood.