Of my own feelings it would be obtrusive to say much. I loved him as David loved Jonathan his death inflicted on me a grief which time only aggravates.

We parted, alas! never to meet again. the 11th of January, 1835, mutually comforting each other with the assurance, that this separation would not be so long as the previous one had been.

In 1836, he was selected for the task of Arctic Discovery. Previous, however, to entering upon any detail of his services in this field, it will be necessary to give a rapid review of the progress of exploration of the Northern parts of America, and of the different expeditions which had visited the Arctic Coast of that continent, which I do at some length in the following chapter, with the freedom that a traveller in the

"It is, indeed, inexpressibly delightful, after the cool and reserved demeanour I must assume in public, thus to unbosom myself to my dear, my only brother. It is distance and separation alone that can make us sensible of what value is he to whom every thought may be disclosed, with an assurance not only of confidence, but of responsive emotion. I pity and scorn the frigid hearts that are incapable of such things." Again: "I have found many ostensible friends in this country; but my naturally warm feelings have been sufficiently chilled and tutored to distrust the friendship of the world, (what is it at all compared with the love we bear each other?) and to base my hopes solely on conscious rectitude."

same region may safely assume, but with an earnest attempt at impartiality.

It may be remarked as a singular circumstance that Arctic Discovery, for which it would appear as if my brother had trained himself by anticipation, and in which he was so enthusiastic when once he had entered upon it, had not excited his interest for many years after he went to America. I do not recollect of his ever expressing an opinion or wish on the subject; and on referring to his letters to me, in which his every thought and feeling are chronicled, I find reference but twice to the expedition of Captain Back; and these references are almost entirely to its influence on the affairs of the Company.

"19th June, 1833.

"Since our arrival here, I have been very busy, engaging men and assisting in the arrangements for Captain Back's expedition. These are now nearly completed, and the Captain may be off as soon as he has written his letters. He seems a very easy affable man; deficient, I should say, in that commanding manner with the people so necessary in this savage country. From my

soul I wish them every success in the generous and humane objects of the expedition; but cannot venture an opinion upon its probable result."

"7th March, 1834.

"This packet conveys the news of Captain Back's discoveries, which are greater than any of us in the North anticipated. All doubted the existence of Great Fish River; but he last fall went down that stream to within one hundred and nine miles of the Arctic Ocean. His canoe guide, (Dejarlois,) who brought his despatches, was here this morning, and gave me a long account of the route. Their head quarters this winter, are at Fort Reliance, eastern extremity of Great Slave Lake, whence the Captain last fall ascended a river, passed several lakes with intermediate portages at the height of land, and fell upon the southern branch of the river he was in search of. Here it was small and rapidous; but being joined by a larger stream flowing from the westward out of Rum Lake, (Lake Contwoyto of Hearne,) it became a noble river, which the advanced season alone prevented him from exploring to its outlet. The canoe party then returned, and found Dr. King and Chief Trader Alex. R. Mc Leod, who had come on with the boats and supplies, comfortably established at Fort Reliance.

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Captain Ross's return will, no doubt, act as a damper to Back's ardour; but still he has work enough left him for next summer; and in

1835, I suppose he will retrace his steps to England for his knighthood.

"It is really a shame to the Hudson's Bay Company, that they knew nothing of this river till Back came to find it for them. It will now become, I should hope, the channel by which the Company may draw out the riches of the large Peninsula, "Boothia," discovered by Captain Ross, and described by him as abounding in furs."

CHAPTER IX.

Progress of Exploration of the Northern Parts of America— Summary of Journeys to the Arctic Coast of America, viz., Hearne's to the Mouth of the Coppermine River Mackenzie's Descent to the Arctic Ocean Franklin's First Expedition-Franklin's Second Expedition-Ross's Expedition to Prince Regent's Inlet Back's Expedition in Search of Ross- Back's intended Survey from Wager River-King's contemplated Expedition- What had been done, and what remained to be done.

THE first internal explorers of the vast region of country forming the northern portion of the American continent were traders from Canada, while it was yet in the possession of France.

Soon after the first colonization of that province, hardy and daring individuals, lured by the great gains to be derived from traffic with the natives, and by the unbridled licence which in such a country they could practise with impunity, penetrated for hundreds of miles into the wilderness, then, as now, known in Canada as "the Indian country."