Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-02-21
DR.. Elisha Kent Kane.

Inc telegraphic dispatches received on Monday
nave little room to hope that the death of DR. Kane
has not already taken place. AS our readers are
aware, he sailed from England to Havana several
weeks since, with view TO the amelioration of his
impaired health, and ut one time il was announced
That there was fair prospect of his recovery The
tidings that have now been received will awaken
universal regret. Dir. Kane was man of whom
the country became more proud with every new
revelation Of his character. lie was warmly cher
lshod rs one Of its brightest ornaments, and feel
ing of almost personal affection was mingled with
the profound respect which he everywhere inspir-
ed. Gallant, brave, heroic, smitten equally with
love of science and n passion for adventure. he
possessed the mental force to convert the dreams
of imagination into reality His late Arctic OK
petition, of which he has left such n graphic and
beautiful record, was but the elimination of a ca
reer which gave early promise Of its subsequent
achievements.
DR.. Kane was born in Philadelphia in the year
1922, and had accordingly just entered upon his
thirty-hfth year. He received his academic edu-
cation at the University Of Virginia, and grnduat-
cd as Doctor of Medicine at the University at Penn
sylvania in 1913. Soon after that date he entered
the United States Navy MS assistant surgeon, and
accompanied the first American embassy to China.
With his native thirst for observing the manners
and customs Of strange countries, he visited differ
ent parts of China, the Philippines, Ceylon, and
the interior of India. He the first white per-
son who descended into the crater of the Tail Of
Luzon, accomplishing this enterprise at the hazard
of life lie was suspended by bamboo rope
around his body, from projecting crag, more than
two hundred feet above the remains Of volcanic
eruptions. With bottles of sulphurous acid and
other specimens from the mouth Of the crater, he
was dragged up senseless through the scorn. Up
on this expedition, he was attacked by the La
drones and sayages of the Negrio race, and expos
ed to other hardships which proved fatal TO his
travelling companion, Baron Loe Of PRUSSIA. At
ter this he traversed considerable portion of In
dia, visited Ceylon assembled the Nile to the con-
fines Of Nubia and passed season in Egypt. lie
travelled through Greece on foot, and returned in
1916 to the United States. He was Immediately
ordered to the Coast of Africa and sailing in the
frgate United States, visited the slave factories
from Cape Mount to the River Bonny, and obtain
ed free access TO the baracoons of Dahomey. Re-
turning home in precarious state OF health, he
recovered sufficiently to visit Mexico during the
war as n volunteer lie succeeded in delivering
dispatches from the President to the Commander
in-Chief escorted by the notorious spy company Of
the brgand Domnigucz, and after getting the bet
ter Of detachment of Mexican soldiers whom they
encountered at Nopaluca, he was forced to combat
his companions single-handed in order to save the
lives Of his prisoners, General Torrajon. General
Gaona and others, from their fury. On the re-
turn Of peace, he was ordered upon the Coast Sur
vey under Prof. Bache, AMI was thus employed in
the Gulf Of Mexico, when he volunteered his SER
vices to the first Grinnel Expedition in 1850. lie
was accepted as senior surgeon and naturalist Of
the squadron. and entered upon his duties with M
enthusiasm, sagacty, and power of endurance
which admirably prepared him for the most ardu-
Gus responsibilities of the second Expedition the
results Of which are before the world
In his private character, DR.. Kane displayed q
singularly lovely and attractive union Of qualities
in striking contrast with the boldness and rcsolu.
ton which impccd him on his career of adventure
The narrative of his expeditions presents delight
ful illustration of his personal traits. In this re-
spect they possess the charm of unconscious auto
biography. His modest simplicity, his refined
tastes his tenderness Of feeling, and his almost
f feminine sympathies perpetually revealed il
connection with as dauntless courage and constan-
cy ever nerved heroic heart to lofty prowess.-
Hence, the magnetic power which he excrtcd over
the companions Of his enterprise, winning their ro
mantle attachment, and making himself center
of light and encouragement amid the darkest mo-
ments Of the forlorn hope in the Arctic What
ever the scientific results of his perlous voyages
they of still highar sisni6nanea in tho l,
they have presented of noble, persistent, dsin;er.
ested and undismayed manhood.--.N Y Tribune