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missing expedition; for the negative evidence | east, nor south-east; neither to the south, obtained by the Investigator is important, south-east, nor south-west, nor yet to the and might, one would think, dispose even north-west of their position; and that, if the Sir Edward Belcher, instead of "returning vessels did not penetrate far to the then unto Beechey Island," to seize the occasion of known westward, their course must have "open water," and launch his barks anew in been that which, on physical grounds alone, that direction where alone, as Penny proved appeared the more probable one-the northlong ago, the gallant Commodore and his ern course up the Wellington Channel and men are to be sought with probability of into the "open water." Thus narrowed, the success. We have read Sir Edward's con- question ought not, we think, to have been fused and stammering despatches without one of difficulty to Sir Edward Belcher, any very clear idea of the reasons which What shall we say, then, when we find him, urged his "return." We have read the let- not still hesitating, but even retracing his ters of Captain Kellett, and those of Captain steps to Beechey Island; abandoning the Pullen, and we feel assured that, if the re- 'open water" to the northward, and all but sult of the bickerings and animosities which renouncing the honorable enterprise, after the are said to prevail wherever Sir Edward fortunate arrival of the Investigator from the Belcher has a command, were to end in ei- southward and westward-corroborated by ther of those gentlemen being selected to suc- the earlier discoveries of Pullen, Rae, and ceed him, there would be better chance of Richardson, in the neighborhood of Behring's some result, adequate to the means supplied, Straits-had satisfied him, and everybody and worthy of the expectation of the public. else, that no traces of the missing squadron The first expedition in quest of Franklin existed in that quarter; and that of those was sent out in 1849, and it consisted of a two possible courses indicated in 1851 by squadron commanded by Sir James Ross. Penny, that of Wellington Channel and the This officer-disarmed by wedlock-effected wholly unexplored, yet still "open water,” as little as Sir Edward Belcher seems likely was the only one by which Sir John Frankto effect; but his few discoveries did service lin did actually pass? That a few islands in in this way, that they tended to disabuse the Victoria Channel of Penny have been people here of an erroneous impression then christened "Exmouth," " "Sentry-box," prevalent, as to the quarter in which the "North Cornwall," and so forth; that the search should be made. Captain Austen's name of the reverend and grateful Mr. Gell unhappy jealousy of Captain Penny, and (whom his correspondence with the Times Captain Penny's not less unhappy sensitive- has made painfully immortal) has been ness of insult, defeated, in a great measure, given to some spot in the same channel, cold the good hopes to which the discoveries made and icy, like the reverend man's own zeal for by Penny in 1851, of Sir John Franklin's these enterprises; and that "the visual (!) first winter-quarters, gave rise; and Austen's discoveries of Penny have been evinced, by refusal to "go up Wellington Channel," our longitudes, &c., to be not in the right dimost unaccountably acquiesced in by his in- rection" by a mile or two; are, perhaps, redignant colleague, frustrated for that season, sults in their way, but surely not commensuas Belcher's hesitation is again doing, a very rate with what Sir Edward Belcher's squadpracticable solution of a problem not other- ron might have obtained, by following up the wise, we fear, to be solved at all. Penny's same Penny's investigations to the northpositive discoveries proved, that in 1845-46 ward, as Penny himself had pointed out. Sir John Franklin's ships wintered in Erebus We believe that there is but one man in that Bay, (latitude 74° N., longitude 91° 30′ W.,) squadron who entertains a different opinion on the west coast of North Devon, and at the from ourselves on this point, and it is the very opening of Wellington Channel, and the Commodore himself. What, in particular, "open water" to the northward. This is are the sentiments of Captain Kellett, the all that is positively known of the missing world have had an opportunity of judging squadron from the date of Franklin's last from his letter to a friend, lately published despatch. But the negative discoveries made in the Times. The veteran bitterly contrasts by Penny, Austen, De Haven, Kennedy, the splendid achievements of the InvestigaForsyth, Ross, Snow, Inglefield, M'Murdo, tor, won by the wisdom and intrepidity of her M'Clintock and Osborne, had also proved gallant commander and crew, with the rethat Sir John Franklin, in the summer of sults of Belcher's expedition, which, as he 1846, after breaking up from those winter- takes occasion to remark, had in fact added quarters, passed neither to the east, north-nothing to what Perry obtained so long back

as it cannot be too often observed, out | the concurrence of all modern discoveries of Lady Franklin's purse, remains a debt of has at length established the profound obhonor against Her Majesty's Government-servation of Sir John Barrow, that the highthat we owe some of the most signal disco- er Arctic latitudes, less inhospitable than veries which have been lately made in the those first attained, are favored with a cominterests of science; and-if the whale fishery paratively mild temperature, seas unlocked be still a matter of national concern--of our by ice and teeming with fish, and land promaritime industry and commerce. The first ducing timber, and coal, and anti-scorbutic voyage of her steamer the Phoenix, under herbs, and abounding in animal food. Five Captain Inglefield, to the northward of Baf- shipwrecked seamen, with no provision but fin's Bay, opened to geography and naviga- a rusty firelock and an axe, maintained themtion coasts and seas and rich fishing-grounds, selves for seven years on the northern shore unseen since the days of Elizabeth, whose of Spitzbergen, until they were rescued by existence the learned had begun to deem the passing whaler which brought them fabulous. The discovery of "Bellot's Strait," home. The absence of mortality, and even between the islands of North Somerset and of sickness, is one of the most noticeable in Boothia Felix- a practical refutation of the results of Arctic adventures during the Ross's erroneous theory on the level of Arctic last three centuries. We have heard it waters was accomplished in the second voy- plausibly accounted for by Kennedy and Belage of Lady Franklin's Prince Albert, under lot, whose terrible experience, acquired in Kennedy, assisted by the lamented French- the winters of 1851-2, well entitled them to man whose name it bears. Nay, the Queen's our confidence. According to those navigaGovernment itself has had to confess its ob- tors, the chief, if not the only formidable ligations to these same UNPAID and UNRE- causes of mortality in Arctic regions are famQUITED expeditions of Lady Franklin. In 1850 ine and the scurvy. In the higher latitudes, the Prince Albert, returned from her first fish and flesh are to be had in quantities more voyage, brought home the intelligence of than sufficient to avert the chance of starvaPenny's discoveries, made in the same year; tion, yet not so superabundant as not to deof the traces of Sir John Franklin's first mand the constant exertion of all the faculwinter quarters; and that of the position of ties, mental and bodily, in order to insure a Captain Austen's ships, and their necessities. supply; and, so long as the mind and body The same good service was rendered, in 1852, are thus occupied, there is no danger of the by the same vessel in her second voyage, scurvy. To the same effect writes Captain and also by the Phoenix, on her return from M Clure, on the 5th of April, 1853, in the her brilliant voyage of discovery to the north third year of his hiemal captivity : and north-west of Baffin's Bay; and the despatches which they brought home from Belcher's squadron, again enabled the Admiralty to detach transports with supplies of provisions and men for the preservation of ships and crews in Her Majesty's service. That these truths have not yet been told at the Admiralty is owing, perhaps, to the constitutional timidity with which that noble woman-so courageous against every real trial-shrinks from the imaginary danger of self-praise. But this only enhances on the Admiralty its duty to do justice, and on all lovers of justice the determination to see that duty fulfilled.

But the main point of interest is Franklin. Let us not despair of that gallant officer, nor of his expedition. His ships, perhaps, have been ice-bound-wrecked-destroyed; and hundreds of miles of that unexplored "open water" may at this moment sever the survivors from those who are in their quest. But the human frame is capable of adapting itself to the extremes of heat and cold; and

TO THIS PERIOD WE HAVE NOT LOST AN INDIVIDUAL OF OUR CREW, EITHER BY ACCIDENT or dis

EASE: the officers particularly have enjoyed an immunity from sickness which is surprising, with the exception of Mr. Sainsbury, mate, who, since the winter of 1850, has suffered from a pulmonary complaint, that has entirely prevented his participating in the arduous duties of the travelling parties, or in the more exciting but not less laborious occupation of hunting over this rugged and severe country; and Mr. Paine, clerk in charge, who had been a great invalid from rheumatisin until this last winter, when he has made a most rapid and wonderful recovery, and at present is in the enjoy ment of more robust health than when he quitted England. I can attribute our excellent sanitary narrative, in conjunction with THE BOUNTIFUL state to the causes previously alluded to in this

SUPPLY OF GAME which a merciful Providence has aided us with, and has so MATERIALLY ADDED TO

The excellent ventilation of the ship by means of "five vapor-funnels, of which those over the ties, so that we enjoy a clear, wholesome atmosphere hatchways, being NEVER closed, carry off all impuribelow." A hint for passenger-ships and short-trip steamers!-ED. NEW QUARTERLY.

OUR OTHERWISE SCANTY RATIONS, as well as the excellence of all species of our provisions, which are certainly of the best description I ever met with, &c. &c.

Words of comfort, and encouragement not to despair even of the long-lost Franklin, but to hope on-and to work.

From the Biographical Magazine.

CHARLES LAMB.

moulded heads in clay or plaster of Paris to admiration, by the dint of natural genius. merely; turned cribbage-boards, and such small cabinet toys, to perfection; took a hand at quadrille or bowls with equal facility; made punch better than any man of his degree in England; had the merriest quips and conceits, and was altogether as brimful of rogueries and inventions as you could desire. He was a brother of the angler, moreover, and just such a free, hearty, honest companion as Mr. Izaak Walton would have chose to go fishing with." Mrs. Lamb seems to have been an equally worthy and admirable woman. They had three children, John, Mary, and Charles. Of these Charles was the youngest, there being a difference of twelve and ten years between him and his brother and sister respectively. Their parents, though in a humble station, "were endued with sentiments which might have well become the gentlest blood; and fortune, which had denied them wealth, enabled them to bestow on their children some of the happiest intellectual advantages wealth ever confers.'

CHARLES LAMB was born on the 18th of February, 1775, in Crown Office Row, Inner Temple. His father, John Lamb, was originally of Lincolnshire, but at a very early age he had come to London, and entered the service of Mr. Salt, a bencher of the Inner Temple, whose clerk he was for many years. In his essay on the "Old Bachelors of the Inner Temple," Lamb, in his delightful manner, describes the locality of the Inner Temple, the place of his birth, and where the first seven years of his life were spent, Mr. Salt, and his father, who is delineated under the name of Lovel. An extract will serve to give an idea of John Lamb, sen., and the relations he sustained with his employer: "Salt never knew what he was worth in the world; and having but a competency for his rank, which his indolent habits were little calculated to improve, might have suffered severely if he had not had honest people about him. Lovel took care of every thing. He was alone his clerk, his good servant, his dresser, his friend, his 'flapper,' his guide, stop-watch, auditor, treasurer. He did nothing without consulting Lovel, nor failed in any thing without expecting and fearing his At the age of seven Lamb was presented admonishing." "Lovel was a man of incor- to the school of Christ's Hospital. In perrigible and losing honesty, a good fellow sonal appearance at this time, he was of a withal, and would strike.' In the cause of mild countenance, clear brown complexion, the oppressed he never considered inequali- and eyes which possessed the singular chaties, or calculated the number of his oppo- racteristic of differing in color, one being nents. He once wrested a sword out of the hazel, the other having specks of gray in the hand of a man of quality that had drawn iris. His step was plantigrade, which made upon him, and pommelled him severely with his gait slow and peculiar, and added to the the hilt of it. The swordsman had offered in- staid appearance of his figure. A delicate sult to a female-an occasion upon which no frame and difficulty of utterance unfitted him odds against him could have prevented the for any boisterous sport. Even at this early interference of Lovel." "Lovel was the period, he furnished marked indications of liveliest little fellow breathing, had a face as those qualities of intellect and temper which, gay as Garrick's, whom he was said greatly in after life, attracted so much the admiration to resemble, possessed a fine turn for humor- and love of those who knew him. One of his ous poetry next to Swift and Prior schoolfellows says of him, "Lamb was an