habitations found westward as far as Melville Island,
and lead the mind to speculate upon some more northern region,--some
_terra incognita_, yet to be visited by us,--encourages us, aye, urges
us not to halt in our exploration. Humanity and science are united in
the cause: where one falters, let a love for the other encourage us to
persevere.

Franklin and his matchless followers need no eulogy from me; the
sufferings they must have undergone, the mystery that hangs over them,
are on every tongue in every civilized land.

The blooming child lisps Franklin's name, as with glistening eye and
greedy ear it hears of the wonders of the North, and the brave deeds
there done. Youth's bosom glows with generous emotion to emulate the
fame of him who has gone where none as yet have followed. And who
amongst us does not feel his heart throb faster in recalling to
recollection the calm heroism of the veteran leader, who, when about to
enter the unknown regions of which Wellington Channel is the portal,
addressed his crews in those solemn and emphatic words of Holy
Writ,--his motto, doubtless,--"Choose ye this day whom you will serve;"
and found in that blissful choice his strength and his endurance.

To rescue even one life were surely well worthy our best endeavours;
but if it so please an all-merciful Providence that aid should reach
Franklin's ships too late to save even that one, yet would we have
fulfilled a high and imperative duty: and would it be no holy
satisfaction to trace the last resting-place of those gallant spirits?
to recover the records, there assuredly to be found, of their manly
struggle, under hardships and difficulties, in achieving that
North-west Passage, in the execution of which they had laid down their
lives? and to bring back to their surviving relatives and friends those
last kind messages of love, which show that sincere affection and stern
sense of duty sprang from one source in their gallant and generous
hearts?

Yes, of course it would. Then, and not till then--taking this, the
gloomiest view of the subject--shall we have done our duty towards the
captains, officers, and crews of Her Majesty's ships "Erebus" and
"Terror;" and then, and not until then, of their honoured leader we may
safely say:--

"His soul to Him who gave it rose;
God led its long repose,
Its glorious rest!
And though the warrior's sun has set,
Its light shall linger round us yet,
Bright, radia