Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-03-07
A SKE CHI OF THE LIFE OF DIR
KANE,

DR.. Elisha Kent Kane was born il Phil
adel phia in 1872. Nearly third of his life
was consumed III travel out of the limits Of
the United States. No man Of his years,
however, was nore ihorQmes ol ms ipts6
Eulhtry. He was educated at The Unvers-
ties of Virginia and Pennsylvania, gradua-
ting as Il doctor Of medicine in lS43. His
graduation thesis on N SrStne' was crowned
10y the faculty. and is still cited us authority
in the books of the profession. Immediately
after receiving his degree, he was appointed
upon the diplomatic staff as surgeon to the
first American embassy to China. lie avail
ed himself Of the facilities afforded by his
position to explore the PHILIPPINES, most Of
which travel, nclnding Camurinas and Min
dora was made on foot.
His charts are still preserved but VIC be-
lieve have not been published. His associate
during 2 portion Of this exploration. the
lamentrd young Baron Loe. of Prussia, sank
/ under the effects the hardship and expo
sure which attended upon it, and died in
Java DR.. Kane devoted much attention TO
! the volcanic region OF Abay. expecting to
connect bis observations with subsequent
travels in Sombava. His soiourn among the
! NrgritOs and Araturas was one of romantic
interest He was the first who descended
the crater of the Tael. upon which occasion
he effected Typographical sketch of the in
terror of this great volcano. He was hover
| ed more than hundred feet by bamboo
rope from All oyerEanging cliff and Chamber
! ing down some seven hundred feet through
| the scorig, was dragged up senseess, with
| the interesting specimens lie had collected.
! Among these were bottles OF su'phurous
acid from the very mouth Of the crater.
| hr Ind;
spending a considerable time among the
mOnolithic structures Of Arungabad, (which
would seem to have particularly attracted his
notice,) visited Ceylon, the Upper Nile, the
| Gases Of Jupiter Ammon, &C., and various
classic regions which have since become the
trodden ground of European tourist. a
portion of this travel introduced him to the
learned Lepsius. who was then prosecuting
his researches in Egypt, Returning, howev.
er, DR.. Kane was 50 unioltunate ns to lose
| his gGJeah in qucksand above E'Sloot, and
with it his entire paper and journals of years
of interesting travel
Taking profound interest in the workings
Of the slave trade, DR.. Kane next sailed from
home in the irigate United States for the
coast of Africa lie visited the slave lacto,
reS from Cape Mount to the river Bunny
and had free access to the baracoons of Da-
honey through the influence of the Infamous
Da SOwza. An excursion which he planned
to Abomev, favored by the Portuguese, failed
through a severe attack of the coast fever
from the effects of which DR., Kane's consti,
tuition has never entirely recovered
Dr. Kane's personal adventures in Mexico
are part of the history Of his country. Ills
wounds on the field OF Napouca, which were
nf very serious nature, opened to him the
hospitalties of his prisoner, Major General
Gauna. the defender Of San Juan dUloa
against the French, und secured him the
gratitude of other Mexican citizens of the
highest distinction. We believe, however
that his travels through the Republic of the
Cactaa carried him little outside the lines Of
military operations. After his brilliant per
furmance of the duty of carrying President
Polks dispatches to Gen, Scott. he was still
necessarily trammelled by the movements O
the American forces. llIs bsrometiral alti
tudes Of Popucaiepetle however, are o
value.
On the return Of peace he was assigned L
the Coast Survey, under Professor Bache
and was at work in the Gulf of Mexico whel
the lberality of Mr. Grinnell stimulated tn,
Govern ment Of the United States to the frs
American expedition in search of Sir Johr
Franklin DIR. Kape immediately vllunteereg
his services, and was accepted as the Senio
Surgeon OF the Squadron. His persona
Narrative" OF this cruise was published il
1852.
Before il was completed for the press b
had effected his arrangements for the las
Arctic Expedition, appropriatiug to this
cherished object bis own Pecuniary resourceS