IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGcT (MT-3) 1.0 I.I " IIIIIM m i|HO 1 2.2 120 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 -« 6" - ► v] . A ^ > y >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ \ 4-^ -s> ^9) V 4? ^^^ <•.'• 6'^ <>. ^J V <^ >> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^^ C-P- L<>r 6^ CmM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CmiVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IV^icroreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Q D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gAographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'eutres documents D Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reiiure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these hsve been omitted from filming/ 11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ejout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6tA fiimAes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplimentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il iui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. r~n Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurdes et/ou peliicuides Pages discoloured, stained or foxet Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Quaiitd in6gale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel supplimentaire Only edition available/ Seuie Edition disponibie I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ r~~| Only edition available/ T» to Tl P< of fil Oi bfl th si( ot fir sic or Th sh Til w^ Mi dif em be( rig rec me Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partieilement obscurciPH par un feuillet d'errata, une peiure, etc., ont M filmdes A nouveau de fapon A obtenir la meilieure image possible. This item is filmed et the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmA au taux de rMuction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X / 12X 16X 20X 26X 30X 24X 28X ] 32X I itails I du lodifier ' une mage The copy filmad her* has been raprot^ucad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Library Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacifications. L'axamplaira film* fut raproduit grAca A la ginArosit* da: Library Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia Las imagas suivantas ont AtA raproduitas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da l'axamplaira film*, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat dn filmaga. IS Original copias in printad papar covars are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies ara filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printad or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couvarture en papier est imprimAe sont filmAs en commenQsnt par la premier plat at en terminant soit par la darniire page qui comporta una ampreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras exemplaires originaux sont filmAs en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration at an terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED "I, or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole —^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmis A des taux da reduction diffirants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. arrata to pelure, n A 1 2 3 32X 12 3 4 5 6 NORTH WEST PASSAGE. (^ ^ 1. LAND of the North ! 'tis of thy barren face Of land and fettered wate^ that I tell ; I care not that no bard has stopped to trace The beauties of the land I love so well ; Though through recesses deep the breezes chase No breath of incense ; though no ferny dell Teems with the sweets of nature's blossoming In thy wild realms— of thee alone I sing. IT. Pods of old have raised the notes of fire* To celebrate the glories of the East ; And western bards have touched a flattering lyre, And sauji; of scenes on w*hich the eyes might feast ( ){' those who e'en to greater bliss aspire Perchance of those who realize thee least. The sunny south has claimed its tale of verse But thou hast gathered nothiug save a cur^c. III. Is it because the sable robes of night Usurp the realm where day should reign supreme, Or that thy austere robes of virgin white Too solitary for their praises seem ; Or that thy joys are far too exquisite To look more real than a half told dre n 'Tis thus, I feel and know : yet to these :ye3 In silent scenes a threefold beauty lito. s 2 IV. I've seen the grandeur of a mighty state. And heard the beatings of a nation's heart ; Unrolled the histories of the high and great, Of honours won which never may depart ; Yet yearn I for a spot more desolate, Where wonder and deep thought can blend their art, And dwelling be more sweet within a clime. Where foot hath never trodden, save of time. V. So dare I then address thee, gentle muse, And summon thee once more from Parnas height ; And if the numbers thou would'st grant refuse To yield to one of less than sovran might ; Yet may they into these poor lines infuse Some ardour, but to echo scenes which sight Alone can shew in all its best array, And memory serves but feebly to display. VI. 'lis not for one who never yet has seen Those distant regions to depict their glory Yet others too, whose lot has never been To tread the field of battle red and gory. Have writ the horrors of that moving scene Of clashing arms and heroes great in story. And ventrous fancies seldom miss the mark Which to the timid mind is veiled in dark. VII. First would these notes v/ith solemn strain recall The spirits of the heroes which have fled, In seeking for that far off object, all Now numbered in the ranks of mightiest dead, Whose memories to oblivion ne'er shall fall. Mourned in the tears already for them shed, Y''e», shed for those who found a common grave While following still the lodestar of the brave. i' ' , ,. 8 VIII. Franklin ! thou{i;h dead in flesh thou still shalt keep A monument of glory to thy name, Which shall survive, though men may fiiU asleep Who follow thee to mount the steps of fame, Yet shall it live while still the sea winds sweep. While still the mountains rear their towers the samo, While men shall honour courage, might and grace, Franklin and glory ne'er shall want a place. IX. For though he left unfound that mystic bourn, His was to pave the pathway to success ; By easier road all other steps to turn ; — This did he, e'er he sank to nothingness ; And future heroes deigned from him to learn The unfolding of the maze by which they press Still onward, for the prize which he has sought ; So heavy with destruction's weapons fraught. X. Those lips might have attested how divine The charms which have been granted there to reiyii, The splendours destined there alone to shine. And beautify both land and heaven and main ; Since there alone no leafy plants entwine Their labyrinths of foliage and in vain The Zephyr strives to soothe the chilly powers. And bathe the face of nature with his showers. XI. How must those wonderers hearts have beat, to view The strange calm grandeur of the norther/n light Blended of every most resplendent hue Which may be seen by our weak mortal sight, Nor strike with blindnes's ; ever fresh and new Some glory, beams celestially bright ; The rubies rays and autumn's storied gold. Earth's foirest tints to one fair point enrolled. 204713 4 XII. Aurora's robe, that shone with dancing flame, With fiery tongues that radiated round, Mi{]:ht make her southern sister blush for shame, With gem« of brightness her broad forehead erownrd. More than or East or Western earth could elaim, In all their deepest treasuries to be found : — A million diamonds for a sceptre blent With pearls that Ocean caverns never lent. XIII. All heaven was sheeted in one glistering vest Of varying colours which outvied the blue Which southern skies so boast ; while Ocean's breast Caught the best tints of every changeful hue ; — The roses blush the violets dye expressed ^ Which painter's brush would vainly strive to shew ; Nor slaves of science e'er might hope to paint A lovlier halo for a martyred saint. XIV. 'Twere worth a life of sickness, care and pain, With hope to smile no more to see this sight ; To float upon the broad breast of the main, And strive to read that pictured book aright ; To drink in draughts one ne'er may taste again, And breathe one's heart beneath that vault of light, Thus might you gaze and gaze your life away. Nor gauge the splendour of a single ray. XV. What led these heroes thus to roam, and sever The ties of household kindred, kin and sail O'er heaving seas, and traverse lands, where never Had mortal keel or footstep dared prevail ; What made these valiant spirits thus endeavour To stefn the frost, the ocean, and the gale What hope of gain or glory did they cherish \Vhich led them thus to follow it or perish ? V >• vr I EIT^HK <- I XVI. Some bidden impulse sure their purpose bent, Unknown perchance to those who felt it most, And for a scarce defined attainment sent To fight till that were gained or all was lost, Though when attained, that prize for which they wont, Might fail to balance even what it cost, 'Tis mystery at the best ; no more can we Pretend to tell where all is mystery. XVII. But dreams ere now have filled the wondering brain Of young adventurers, and of those whose fate Has boimd to their own country, and the train Of fancies has unlocked the massive gate. Which shuts those regions from their eyes in vain, When the mind's eye o'erleaps it and elate Builds airy castles for that unknown spot And knows it, though the glance has scanned it not. XVIIL Some sages have declared that -ummer there Holds a perpetual session ; and the flowers Bloom bright when other gardens all are bare, Where the dark frowns of tempest never lower, And birds and beasts rejoice in sunny air Eternally, endowed through u:itold hours, Pain, sickness, death, and labour hold no sway, And spread their pinions but to flee away. XIX. Perchance in those dark glamorous realms the Of giants people still the curtained earth. Which smiles as heretofore with kindly graces On godlike revels and Titanic mirth. Or monsters ! like the serpent that embraces In its big coils the whales enormous girth, Hold the dominion as before the flood, Where foot of mortal never yet hath trod. races 6 XX. Here Bome gigantic mammoth rears his hoight. And on the land usurps the tyranny, Some serpent on the seu shore rolls in niii^ht. While finny monsters wallow in the sea, While the air hurtles, and the daily light Is shadowed by a feathered crnopy, ]^iarth, ocean, air, alike with produce teem Unseen by mortal vision but in dream. XXI. It may be that the tracts are filled instead, With habitations nor, of nature's hand. And life and manners such as may be read In books of wonders, flourish in the land. And men of mortal mould are wcmt to tread Through those far regions, a mysterious band, And classic art with modern mingles there All that is good, and beautiful, and fair. XXII. There are who hold that Ocean's wide embrace With nought of land its clear face to defile, Keeps the whole region of that vasty place. In broad expanse for many a tractless mile ; While here and there o'er all the dimpling space. Shines the white crest of some small frozen Isle Which seems to float upon the dancing main, While its faint image 'neath it smiles again. XXIII. But gallant spirits even now have dared To trust their lives to the frail treacherous bark, And the more treacherous ocean — waves unscared By all the dangers that beset their ark, 'Neath anxious eyes, by clever heads prepared, A thousand thousand eyes their progress mark, Till wreathed in laurels they return once more. And tell their story on old England's shore. I , XXIV. Kareuoll ! though sever od by a thousand miles I'rom till who love and arc beloved in turn, Unknowing their alternate tears and smiles, if they arc happy still, or if they mourn ; And safe alike from adverse mnzo of wiles, » JMoni dark browed hatred and itemptuous scorn, Th(Mi}»h foreign skies may tower ai>ove your head. And foreign strand beneath your footstep'' spread. XXV. Vet shall you dwell within our hearts secure, And 'neath our eyes in visions stand the same, In Kuj^lands breast you have a mansion sure, With bulwarks fenced which time can never tame ; Though pleasures, hopes and fancies, may allure, . And all the hosts of field and flood and flame, Combine their terrors yet you still shall be A noble portion of our destiny. XXVI. Farewell ! when round you roars the midnight gale, And planks are creaking with the unwonted strain ; AVhon groaning mast and widely bellying sail, Tell of the strength which moves the heaving main, Thuik of the friends at home who never fail. When roofs are rattling to the stormy rain. To liive a thought to you who mightly roam. While they aye resting safe in house and home. XXVIL Farewell ! the gathering heaps of Artie snow, 1 And glistening fields of ice are seen alone ; And still must meet your gaze where'er you go ;— The biting frost hath terrors of its own ; The very blood which through your limbs shall flow, Will seem all chill and lifeless to have grown, Frozen and helpless save each burning sotil, ? ^ Which fires \rhere winds and waters cannot roll. . 8 XXVIII. Farewell ! thougli not for long, again your keel Shall touch the pebbles of your native shore ; And rugged hearts shall force the breast of steel, When home and home delights afe sc^n once more ; The sea and ice their secret shall reveal, And open treasuries never known before ; For earthquake cannot hide, or ocean keep. When Britain's sons are on their native deep. XXIX. When adverse weapons seek our Island's breast, Its sons stand ready to avert the blow ; When foreign brothers are in slavery prcst. Our heroes foremost to the resue go ; When glory tempts the prowess of the best, In the first rank old England's children show ; Slaves love and tyrants hate her very name. Beaming the highest on the scroll of fame. XXX. Yet not for these alone the leafy crown, The impartial muse with active finger weaves, And her just pupil joins in hewing down, At Parmas harvest the inspiring sheaves For their great predecessors, as they ours, Who from their open groves have galherod leavca For them shall memory face a host of years, And future fame its frontier cohmm rears. XXXI. In frailer bark they dared the lashing wave, With arms of temper dull and fashion rude, With means more scant to succour and to save. Yet with as galhmt consciousness endued ; And thus the farthest ocean-tides they clave, And stormed the fastnesses of solitude ; And moulded for a future race the key. To unlock the door of that great mystery. :e; I.' , 9 XXXII. For them the first bright day's triumphant beam Shone forth, nor feared the wonted reign of night ; Before their eyes, which seemed as in a dream. The Bun's broad lamp swung in its heavenly light ; Throwing above — beneath— around — a stream Of brilliancy, outshining other light ; And for long days the desperate voyage blest, Nor paled from age nor sought a needless rest. XXXIII. Then like a giasit from his months of sleep, Darkness uprose and viewed that scene of mirth, Angered that day his own domain should keep, With mighty hand he smote him to the earth ; And his insidious powers began to creep Around the land, embracing all its girth ; Till day should rise again, renewed in strength, And pour his beams on that long night at lengtih. XXXIV. Such stories told those travellers of yore To spell-bound listeners of their native land, When they again had reached their long-loved shore, And friends all thronged to greet the hero band ; Stories of wonders hid from men before, Such as might spring from the magician's wand ; Too strange to mortal vision to seem true. Though truest things are often strangest too. XXXV. They told them tales of races they had seen, Of shortei' stature than in Europe dwell ; Who spoil the furry quarry's coat, to screen Their hearts from cold more keen than words can tell ; And for the well known cottage on the green, The shaded mansion, or the lonely cell, They build them palaces of ice to hold Their families safe and keep them from the cold. 10 XXXVI. How that the sky oft shone with flame too bright To seem of Earth, which fashions but to mar ; How heaven was sheeted in a robe of light, Which caught each beauty of the chastened star ; And wove them in a web to charm the sight, With sanguine streamer and with golden bar ; Such as might seem to hide a heavenly prize, A wicket opening into Paradise. xxxvn. Of rolling chariot there they had no need ; — On riving bar as swiftly would they fly ; In the rude rein there champed no fiery steed ; — The dog its weighliest function could supply ; And thus o'er seas and lands with lightning speed They rushed like meteors through an evening sky Their furry coursers bounding to the call. Nor needed care, nor knew luxurious stall. XXXVIII. In those far regions, one short night would screen The landscape, far as eye could reach, In one wide sheet of never-varying sheen White as the creamy ripples on the beach ; No waters showed their blue, no grove its green, A pure expanse was spread without a breach, Type of the mind of him whose life i^ spent In pure desires and passionless content. XXXIX. Bright is the sun that warms the Indian isles, Yet here his reign outlasts one feeble day ; Calmly the moon o'er classic Europe smiles. But here one night can measure not its ray ; Proudly may Egypt gaze upon her piles. Here crystal towers illumine every bay ; 'Tis here alone the wearied eye may rest ; These are the storied islands of the blest. \ *\i 11 XL. \ei as in every joy we meet below ; A bitter has been mingled with the sweet ; As ripeninfj fruit may on the green branch grow^ And hail the radiance of the summer heat ; Fair to the eye it blooms, but sure and alow Some insect, where its inmost vitals meet. Is jjhawing through its life and leaves a waste Of gall and wormwood to* the taste* XLI. Happy the man who has not thus been led To look on outward charms for happiness, Lest all too soon they wither, cold and dead, And leave their victim to his chill distress, Then when the best hopes of his life are sped* He pray to perish in his griefs excess ; Yet lives nor even hopes that heaven will send Its rarest noblest gift— a faithful friend. XLIL So with these scenes of beauty thus divine. How glorious is the sight which meets the eye ! Yet the deep power which seized the restless brine, And piled it into domes which meet the sky. Has might to mar the splendours which combine, And lend them wings more speedily to fly ; And while the gazer wonders, can congeal The very blood which teaches him to feel. XLIII. So men have perished far from all they love, O'erwhelmed by might surpassing hu.'nan power ; Whose spirits dangers army could not move, Or death behold them at his sceptre cower ; Who died in calm and quiet as a dove Which lingers out in silence its last hour ; The only sigh from out their bosoms driven. When their last breath had winged its way to Heaven. \ 12 XLIV. No tomb uprose to mark their sombre grave, No cypress waved its darkling leaves o'crhead ; Their dirge is sounded as the wild winds rave, And bear to Heaven the requiem of the dead ; Moan, moan, ye winds and sigh each falling wave, Ye snowflakes pillow soft their dreamless bed, Better to lie 'neath Nature's kindly face Than trust you to the marble's cold embrace. XLV. Some day perchance the power of man will spread Even o'er those climes— those climes so chill and di And when our hearts have long been cold and dead, When time has ^v inged its flight through many a y A nation of the North shall lift its head, And art, not nature, shall her trophies rear ; So where man comes, the joys of nature fly. And all her beauties wither 'neath his eye. XL VI. ear, oar, How sad a sight to see so fair a clime Lose half its charms before the gaze of men, And the sweet blushes of its virgin prime. Shrink as beneath some dark magician's wand ; "When innocence shall flee at touch of crime, And Solitude shall yield her reign to Pati : Oh may we never live to soe this end, Or this fair land to human tyrants bend. XLvn, Yes ! so has fate been settled, and the eartli Was made for man, and man must thus prevail ; And for his needs, his wishes and his mirth She must provide, till all her plenties fail ; And when one land yields nought but plague and death, To one more fruitful must he stretch his sail, Till all the world is held by him alone And continsnts are footstools to his throne. i-^ 18 XLVIII. K'cn now our ships are launched upon the main, To pass the fatal barrier of the north, l^cMit on that gaol to reach, that prize to gain, Which lie unknown, a true reward for worth ; How shall all nature hold her realm again, Where the array of men has once gone forth ? \(?t scarce can we regret the dire event, When on such honoured mission they are sent. XLIX. Forth from the port they go a goodly sight ! The ocean seethes in foam their keel beneath ; And the lashed billows yield before their might Like recreant fool at the approach of death, And when they come again pure glory's light Shall shine like diamond on each laurelled wreath ; Soon may they reach their gaol ! God speed thee well ! While we may breathe a lingering last farewell. »^M4»I Speed on ! ye heroes blest Speed on your way, Your couch is spread within our breast, There loved ones shall ye rest, Till night shall flee before the blaze of day ; Waft them ye winds ! blow fair and strong ; list O winds, to the cherub song. Raise not the billows restless power, But bear our gallant sons along, From hour to hour. Oh Neptune, from thy ocean bed Rear once thy crowned head. And hearken to the cry that comes to thee, The loud lament that echoes o'er the sea, u For heroes that are sped ;— Wrapt in thy cold embrace, _ Ended their mortal race Spiritless ! dead. Wave high thy triple prong in air, Bid the deep ocean billows spare The noble and the brave. Thou knowest old England's "ailors well, How o'er thy domes of pearl and shell, They sail full oft upon the foaming wave ; Oh must we part the while, • Fain woiild.we follow thee Hero, and see thy smile Shine o'er the sea ; Shine with such heavenly light, Under the heavy brow of night. Not Cynthias self one half so bright. Of such calm brilliancy ; Oh think when she doth shine, And silver- footed trips o'er fields of foam. And dances on the brine. Think of your friends who think of you at home. Ne'er may a thought of dread Light on one gallant head ! Speedily fly, Fly where the sun shines red, Fly wnere the Meteors spread Their flashes o'er the sky ; Then from its mission freed, Homeward your barks shall speed To the loved shore. 111^ A II » • 15 ... ■ ,„ '^■-: . , Then shall you part again, Over the flowing main, * Over the watery plain," Never, oh ! nevermore.— Thus float the echoes on the evening gale Which fans the heaven and fills the spreading tail, To bear the vessels o'er the ocean free. And drift them to the spot they long to see ; While every hour twines a new glory wreath, Which knows no severance by the stroke of death, As when the swan-brood fjom a reedy brake, Sweeps o'er the surface of a peaceful lake ; - The circling ripples in their wide wake throng. As they sail oared in majesty along ; And whf they plume them on the farther side. Their trace stili quivers on the traversed tide. ALFRED JOHN ORIPPS. ^^ /6 \