Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-02-23
DIR, KANE.

From the information We have received by tele
graph, we fear this distinguished young v"ynger IL
no more. Our readers are DOUBTLESS aware but
abort time ago the Doctor sailed from England, for
Havana. TO recruit his falling health. At one time
rnmor reached US that his health Was improving, but
,bose GOOD tidinps wers soon blasted by more recent
intelligence. We deeply sympathize with his sh'ct'
ed family, and hope for the best. his death Will oe
a nation's loss.
DR.. Kane was born in Philadelphia In the year
1917 and had accordingly just entered upon his thlr,
ty.ffth year. He received his academic education
NJ the University Of Virginia, and graduated az DOC
tor of Medicine at the University OF Pennrylvan's
in lS43. Boon after that date he entered the CniteG
states Navy 10 assistant surgeon, and accompanied
tho Ar,t American embassy 10 China. With HE ma.
| five thirst for observing tue manners anu customs Of
strange countries, he visited differents parts OF Cn'na'
the Philippines, Ceylou, and the interior OF India
Ue was the first white pereon aho descended into tile
crater of the Tail of LuzeD, accomplishing the enter
| prizs at the hazard Of his life. He was suspended by
| a bamboo rope Ground his body. from a projecting
| craig, more than two hundred feet above the remains
of volcanic eruPtions. wan bottles OF sa.pnorus
aoid and other specimens from the mouth Of the era.
ter, he was dragged up senseless through the scorle
Upon this expedition, he was attacked by the La
drones and savages Of the Negrito race, and exposed
to other h~ardships which proved fatal to his travel
ling companion, Baron Loe, of Prussia. After this. he
travelled over a considerable portion Of India, visited
Ceylon, ascended the Nile to the coofpes Of Subia,
and passed a season in Egypt. He travelled through
Greece on foot, aud returned in 1876 to the United
States. He was Immediately ordered to The coast OF
Africa, and sailing in the frigate United States, visit.
ed the slave factories from Cape Mount TO the River
Bonny, and obtained free access TO tbs barscoons OF
Dahomey. Returning home in a precarlous state OF
health, he recovered sufficient 10 visit Mexico during
The war as a volunteer. He succeeded in delivering
dispatches from the President to the Commando in
Chisf, escorted by the notorious spy. company Of the
brigand Dominguez, and after getting the better OF
a detachment of Mexican soldieTe whom they en-
counted at Nopsluca, he was forced to combat his
companions single. handed liz order 10 save the lives
OF his prisoners, Gen. TorrajOn, Gen. Gsona and
others, from their fury. On the return Of peace, he
vas ordered upon the Coast Survey under Professor
Bac.e, and was thus employed in the Gull OF Mex
co, when ne volunteered his services to the first Grin
nell Expedition in 1851. He was accepted as senior
surgeon and naturalist Of the squadron, and entered
upon his duties with an enthusiasm, eagncity, and
power Of endurance which admirably prepared him
for the most arduous responsibilities OF the second
Expedition; the results Of which are before The world.
In his private character, DIR. Kane displayed Il
singalarly lovely and attractive union OF qualities IN
striking contrast with the holdness and resolution
which impelled him on his career of adventure. The
narrative of hs expeditions presents u delightful IL
Iastsass4 he f ch hss nsf II Unconscious aiu.obioeraphy.~
His modest simplicity, his refined tasles, his tender
ness Of feeling, and his almost feminine sympathies
are perpetually revealed in connection with az daunt-
less courage aud Constancy rs ever nerved heroic
heart to lofty prnwess. Hence, the magnetic power
which he exerted over the companions Of his enter.
prise, winning their romantic attachment, and max
ing himselfsa centre Of light and encouragement
amid the darkest moments of the iorlorn hope in the
Arctic seas. Whatever the scientific results Of his
perilous voyages, they arc of still higher Significance
in the example they have presented OF noble, per
sistent, disinterested and undismayed manhood.