"Tbespectator," Zprit 24t1j, 1852.
Slowly drifting down from the frozen seas of the North, to lose themselves in the waters towards the Equator, annually come vast herds of icy rocks; crags that would be immortal in their native deserts, where land and water forget their desperate nature in the common rigour of the iron frost; but, wandering down to more living waters, those rocky pinnacles melt and die. Among the herd last year was a field or floe of. ice, and on that floe were two ships, idle and deserted, performing a strange helpless voyage. One smaller vessel, going to Quebec, sails near them, and they pass on their way, not unseen, as well they might, have done; but they were neglected. Many in the Quebec-bound vessel wished to explore those deserted wander- ing homes, but the master was sick and listless, and would not be disturbed. Were they Franklin's ships, the Erebus and Terror ? The question occurred to one person on board, but it was unsolved; and now, a year after the event, Admiralty and public are engaged in seeking evidence.
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