New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-26

/ than Or. Kane, and b 10 . more than ordinary
wise man Who has prohted more in the practical
wisdom Of their teachings.
He avaled himself of this opportunity to travel
in the neighborng Islands, and among other e.
PLOTS descended into the volcano Of Tael an &C.
count Of which has already appeared in our COL
umns. He returned TO Whampoa, where be en-
gagged in successful practice as physician and sur
geon, until, az the close of ls44, he was stricken
down with the rice-fever. 1t was a desperate
struggle for life; but his exuberant vitality pre-
vailed; though bis illness broke up his professional
plans and be resolved TO return home. He took
the overland journey, visiting numerous places Of
interest Cd the route, and gratifying to the full his
passion for travel.
During the Winter Of 1856, Dr. Kane was with
bis friends in Philadelphia, and seems to have
turned bis ambition upon professional emnence,
with view to the practice of medicine and teach
ing as a lecturer in that city. His taste would
have led him to leave the navy. for which he had
decided repugnaDce but with prospect OF war
with Mexico be felt that be could not resign with
ont disbOnor. Meantime he was ordered 10 the
coast of Africa, for which he sailed May -, 1910,
but returned within year, on account OF violenp
attack of coastfe fever, WHICH made 1t doubtful
whether he could survive in that pestlentlal eli
mate. He reached Philadelphia, April 3, lS47,
with the feelings of abroken-down man. Conscious
that his life was held on most uncertain tenure,
be longed to crowd it's brief space with deeds of
noble import. As soon as his strength permitted
him, he hurried off to Washington for the purpose
of soliciting transfer Of his commission to the
military staff, if that might not be, position in
the line of the army. But his health again gave
way, and he remained for some weeks dangerously
i'll at the seat of Government. In the month of
October, he had so far recovered as to be able
to return to his friends in Philadelphia.
One Saturday night at the close of the month, he
attended the Wstar party at his fathers house, and
passed the evening as if its eDjOyments suficed him.
The company congratulated him upon the prospect
of speedy and complete recovery from his long i'll
ness: many good wishes and much good advice
were bestowed upon the yaletudinary, and the fes-
Invites went on if his prudence could be relied
upon aud all soicitude might now be discarded for
be looked just as if he were clearly pledged to a
cOmformable behavior But he was missed at the
close of the entertainment, which was readily ac-
counted for by the suppositon that he had crossed
the street to escape the fatigue of late hours and
would spend the nightn the quiet which heneeded.
He did not return till the middle of the week. He
had taken the night train for Washington City,
effected his object there, and announced to his
friends that he under orders for the seat of war;
He was ntrusted with All important dispatch to
the COMMANDMENTS Chief, and with numerous Off
cia and private letters from friends in Washington,
he set out for Mexico Nov. &. His extraordinary
adventures on the journey are related at length by
his biogapher though they border so closely on the
marvellous, that DR.. Elder has deemed it expe-
dent to support his narrative by an ample citation
of documentary evidence.
Passing over an interval of two years. we come
to the date of the first Grinnel Expedition, which
sailed from New-York in May, 1850. We copy the
account of
THE FIRST MEETING OF LIEJT. DE HAVEN AND
DIR. KANE.
The commander and the doctor of this gallant little
met for the first time at the Navy Yard OF BROOK
yn the day before they set SAIL De Haven had never
heard of Kane; and he confesses that when he took
his measure as q captain looks at the men he must
depend upon in great emergencies, he Thought ne was
not the pattern for Ito place If he had had but the
time, he would have asked the Department 10 e.
change him for more promising man; but that was
impossible, and he concluded that the battered little
body would have enough of by the time they should
reach Greenland, and then he could send him back.
De Haven, you are a fine fellow, but you haven't
the infaible measure for men, That slight figure has
a preternaturaly big heart in it; and the "soul,
mind and spirit" Of the is still beyond your es-
innate, though your admiration for his manlness nor
is as much as your own stout frame can well bear
To sea they went and the trlal began. That lneV-
table seasickness which prosecuted the Doctor like
demon, laid him up forthwith to work away at the
feat of turning himself inside out at every pitch OF the
brig. ,,,
ut Whae-Fish Island and pat to the purpose so be-
nevoleny entertained, and now, by the experience OF
the traltrp TO the Greenland coast 10 abundanty
tilted De Haven found an English transport, char
tered by the Admiralty, that could carry the CON-
pletely knocked-up young doctor to England on his
way home and he very kindly, but resoutely, pro-
posed il. All that was required was that the doctor
should certify his own unftness for further service
and he would be sent home invaded, on full pay,
rank saved, and all parties handsomely accommodated
The doctor looked at him moment in almost blank
dismay. There was consciousness oi suostah'ia
truth and right in ii but, after spasn OF painfn feel
ing which melted the captain very heart, he Turned
suddenly and answered, firmly, " | won't do it, The
captain could not insist and fortnight afterward the
doctor fit the hardest duty Of the voyage, ana
for many months the busiest and most efhcent man on
board.
The details of Dr. Kane's Arctic discoveries are
too fresh in the memory of our readers to warrant
repetition in this place. pass over the interesting
summary of DR.. Elder, and hasten to the closing
scene, which must be given only in the words Of
the biographer.
On the 10Th December, 1867, in the evening, he
sailed for Havana. II was blowing a half gale at the
time and the sea was boisterous. The next day he
a-.Il.;.od of par.oa hrnnk fastinn In the af-