Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 7.djvu/292

 three years. He was chiefly employed in the Greek waters, and had the good fortune to be of considerable service in the delicate adjustment of complicated diplomatic relations.

During this period, as indeed on all other occasions, he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity, not only to improve his knowledge of geology, to which science he was greatly attached, but also used every exertion to add to the museum of the Geological Society and to the private collections of scientific men.

After a brief period of rest, which followed his services in the Mediterranean, he applied to Lord Glenelg for employment under the Colonial department, and his Lordship, in a very complimentary manner, offered him the important post of Governor of Van Diemen's Land, which he held for seven years.

During this time, that Colony received the convicts sentenced to transportation, New South Wales having ceased to be a penal settlement, which rendered Sir John Franklin's position most onerous and trying. But he acquitted himself so entirely to the satisfaction of the colonists, that in grateful remembrance of his government, which was marked by the establishment of a College and a Philosophical Society, they, unsolicited, subscribed £1600 towards the expenses of the recent private expedition fitted out for his rescue.

It might be supposed that after so long a period of laborious services, Sir John Franklin would have desired repose, particularly as he had now attained high renown; but his wishes still pointed towards active employment, and consequently, when the Arctic Expedition was contemplated, which in all human probability has cost him his life, he was willing and ready to take the command, when the Admiralty were of opinion that he was the officer best fitted to act as its chief.

That Expedition, as will be remembered, was originated by the late Sir John Barrow, who, before resigning his office of Secretary to the Admiralty, submitted a plan for the discovery of the North- west Passage to that branch of Her Majesty's Government, by whom it was referred to the Council of the Royal Society.

Without concurring in all Sir John Barrow's views, the Council gave it as their opinion that such an Expedition was likely materially to increase our knowledge of geography and terrestrial magnetism, and to promote the general interests of science, and that it was at