Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-08
Death of pr. E,l.hn Kent Kane.

The news by the last steamer brings the
melancholy intelligence Of the death Of this
distinguished gentleman. He had recently
gone to Cuba for his health, but bis constitu-
ton was SO shattered from extreme exposure
in the Arctic expedition, that he survived but
short time after reaching Havana. We copy
the following sketch of his character from an
Eastern paper received by the last steamer.
"Dr. Kane was born in Philadelphia, in the
year 1922, and had accordingly just entered
upon his thry-fifth year. He received his
academic education at the University of Vir-
ginia, and graduated as Doctor Of Medicine at
the University of Pennsylvania in 1S43. Soon
after that date he entered the United States
Navy as 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
cnt parts of China, the Philippines, Ccylon,
and the interior of India. lie was the first
white person who descended into the crater of
the Tail OF Luzon, accomplishing this at the
hazard of his life. lie was suspended bya
bamboo rope around his body, from project
ing .crag more than two hundred feet above
the remains of volcanic cruptions. With bot
ties of sulphurous acid and other specimens
from the mouth of the crater, he was dragged
up scnseless through the scorie. Upon
this expedition he w;rs attacked by the La
drones and savagcs Of the Negrto race, and
exposed to other hardshps which proved fatal
to his travelling companion, Baron Loe, of
Prussia. After this, he travcrscd considera-
bic portion of India, visited Ceylon, ascended
the Nile to the confines of Nuba, and passed
season in Egypt. He Travelled through
Greece on foot, and returned in 1916 to the
United States. lie was Immediately ordered
to the Coast of Africa, and sailing in the fri
gate United States, visited the slave factories
from Cape Mount to the river Bonny, and OBJ.
tanned free access to the baracoons of Daho-
mey. Returning home in precarious state
of health, he recovered sufficiently to visit
Mexico during the war as volunteer. He sue
cceded in deliverisg dispatches from the Pre-
sident to the Commandcr-in- Chief, escorted by
the notorious spy company of the brigand
Dopinguez, and after getting the better 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 return of peace, he was
ordered upon the Coast Survey, under Profes-
sor Bache, and was thus employed in the
Gulf of Mexico, when he volunteered his SER
vices to the first Grinnell Expedition in 1850.
He was accepted as senior surgeon and natu-
ralist of the squadron, and entered upon
his duties with an enthusiasm, sagacty and
power of endurance, which admirably prepa-
red him for the more arduons responsibilities
of the second Expedition, the results of which
are before the world. ....
ain his private character Dr. Kane display
cd snguarly lovely and attractive union of
qualities, in striking contrast with the boldness
and resolution which mpellcd him on his ca.
reer of adventure. The narrative of his cx.
peditions presents delightful illustration of
his personal traits. In this respect they pos
sess the charm of unconscious autobiography.
His modest simplicity, his refined tastes, his
Tenderness, of feeling, and his almost feminine
sympathies are perpctually revealed in connec.
ton with as dauntless courage and eonstancy
as ever ncrved heroic heart to lofty prowess.
Hence the magnetic power which he ,xerted
over the companions of his enterprise winning
their romantic attachment, and making him
self centre of light and encouragement, amid
the darkest moments of the forlorn hope in the
Arctic seas Whatever the scientific results
of his pcrilous voyages, they are of still higher
significance in the example they have present.
ed Of noble, persistent disinterested and un-
dismayed manhood