Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 7.djvu/291

 nature were around Lieut. Franklin, yet as his ship was less damaged than that of Captain Buchan, he earnestly requested permission to proceed alone in the execution of this discovery. The nature of Captain Buchan's instructions prevented this, and the Expedition returned.

Immediately on his return he was appointed to the command of that celebrated Expedition to explore the North American coast, which occupied the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822, the history of which, as told in his own manly and unaffected language, is undoubtedly one of the noblest pictures of heroic exertion and patient endurance.

The results of the labours of Franklin and of his distinguished associate Sir John Richardson, in this memorable journey, deserve more full and fitting recognition than can be attempted on this occasion; suffice it here to observe, that a vast extent of the North American Continent, before unknown, was added to our Charts, and large acquisitions gained for science by the careful study of the physical geography and natural productions of that portion of the globe.

Undeterred by the appalling sufferings he had already undergone, Franklin, although lately united in marriage to Miss Porden, again volunteered his services for Arctic exploration. These were accepted, and in the course of 1825–27 an additional tract of the North American Continent was carefully surveyed.

For these arduous services, which extended over a period of twelve years, and in the execution of which he travelled nearly 9000 miles, and added a coast-line of upwards of 1200 miles to our North American Maps, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, knighted by his Sovereign, and had the degree of D.C.L. conferred on him by the University of Oxford. He also received the Gold Medal from the French Geographical Society, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, on whose Council he served in 1829 and 1830.

In the former year, having had the misfortune to lose his first wife, he married the present Lady Franklin, then Miss Jane Griffin, whose persevering devotion in endeavouring to rescue her unfortunate husband is well known.

He now remained at home for two years, when he was appointed to the 'Rainbow,' and served in that ship in the Mediterranean for