were traversed by the different parties. Mr Penny made every effort to ascend Wellington Channel; but his success was trifling compared to his unwearied endeavours. When his sledge was stopped by open water, and after incredible labours a boat was brought to the spot, thick-ribbed ice had collected to impede its progress. All the efforts of the heroic explorers were in vain. Lieutenant De Haven's ships returned to the United States, after enduring many hardships; and Captain Austin, Sir John Ross, and Mr Penny came back to England in the autumn of 1851. Another year, however, was not allowed to pass before a further expedition was entrusted to the command of a talented officer, Sir Edward Belcher. The _Assistance_ and _Resolute_ were again commissioned, and, with the _Pioneer_ and _Intrepid_ screw-steamers, were placed under his orders, many of the officers who before accompanied Captain Austin volunteering their services. Captain Kellet, who had returned home in the _Herald_, was appointed to command the _Resolute_. They proceeded early in the spring for Wellington Channel, and, favoured by an open season, part of the squadron entered that mysterious inlet, with a favourable breeze, in high health, and with buoyant hopes that they were about to carry succour to their long-lost countrymen--how soon, like those of many others, to meet with disappointment! Up that very channel, it has since been ascertained, the expedition under Sir John Franklin had gone, but had been compelled, as those in search of it soon were, to return southward. In the meantime, Commander Inglefield, who had first gone out in the _Isabel_, commissioned the _Phoenix_ steam-sloop, with the _Lady Franklin_ as a sailing-tender, and proceeded to Baffin's Bay. Mr Kennedy again went out in the _Isabel_, and the Americans sent forth the well-known expedition under Dr Kane, whose narrative must be read with the deepest interest by all, and his early death, the result of the hardships he endured on that occasion, sincerely deplored. While Sir Edward Belcher in the _Assistance_, accompanied by the _Pioneer_, proceeded up Wellington Channel, Captain Kellet in the _Resolute_, accompanied by the _Intrepid_, leaving the _North Star_ with stores at Beechey Island, continued his voyage to Melville Island, which he reached after encountering many dangers, and where he was frozen up at Bridport Inlet, on the 11th of September 1852.