Peace having been established, the attention of Government was turned to Arctio discovery, which had been interrupted during the long war, and in 1818 commenced the brilliant. and remarkable series of Arctic expeditions with which Franklin's name is so honourably associated. The scientific knowledge he had acquired when serving under Captain Flinders was now of great benefit to him, and Sir Joseph Banks, who at that time presided over the Royal Society and who took great interest in Arctic, matters, recommended him to the Admiralty as a proper officer to be employed in Arctic, exploration. Accordingly Franklin commenced his Arctic career by commanding the Trent, which ship, with the Dorothea, commanded by Captaiu Buchan, formed an expedition appointed to sail from Spitsbergen across the supposed Polar Sea.
Unhappily the Dorothea in lat. 80° 34' N. became disabled, but Lieutenant Franklin, with a gallant disregard of danger, earnestly requested to be allowed to proceed alone in the execution of the service. The nature of Captain Buchan's instructions prevented this, and the ships returned to England.
Franklin's conduct and aptitude for the peculiar service of Arctio enterprise brought him into prominent notice, and he was intrusted in 1819 with the command of his first overland expedition for the purpose of tracing the coastline of tho North American continent, at that time very imperfectly known. Descending the Coppermine the party surveyed a large portion of the coast cast of the mouth of that river, during which they underwent frightful privations and trials, the history of which, as told in Franklin's own manly and unaffected language, is undoubtedly one of the noblest pictures of heroic, exertion and patient endurance ever presented for our admira tion. 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 occa sion : the party travelled 5550 miles, mostly over ground previously unknown, and large acquisitions were gained for science by the careful study of the physical geography and natural productions of the North American continent.
For his services on this occasion ho was promoted to the rank of captain, having while absent risen from lieutenant to commander. In 1823 he was elected a Fellow of tho Royal Society, and served on the council of that body.
Undeterred by the appsiling sufferings be bad already uudergone, Franklin, although lately united in marriage to the youngest daughter of William Portion, Esq., again volunteered his services for Arctic) exploration. These wore accepted, and in 1825 he left England on his second laud exploration. Descending the Mackenzie River, he
traced the North American coed from the mouth of the Copperrnine River to the 150th meridian. For these fresh service. he received the honour of knighthood, and had the degree of D.C.L. conferred on him by the University of Oxford. He also received the Gold Modal from the French Geographical Society, and was elected a Corresponding Member of the Institute of France.
Sir John Franklin now remained at home two years, when he was appointed to the Rainbow, and served in that ship in the Mediter ranean for threo 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. It is worthy of remark, as illustireive of the amiability of Franklin's character, that the sailors who then served under him named the ship the 'Celestial Rainbow' and 'Franklin's Paradise.' 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 ',cisme ho 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 Gleuelg 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 be held for seven years. During this time that colony received convicts, New South Wales having ceased to be a penal settlement. This rendered Sir John Franklin'. 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 16001. towards the expenses of a 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 poiuted towards active employment, and consequently, when the Arctic expo dition was contemplated, which ha. cost him his life, he was willing to take the command, when the Admiralty were of opinion that he was the officer beet fitted to act as chief. That expedition was oriel listed by the late Sir John Barrow, secretary to the Admiralty, who submitted a plan for the discovery of the North-West Passage to government, which, after having been referred to the council of the Royal Society, was adopted.