THE Success which has hitherto attended Messrs CHAMBERS's exertic
in the preparation of a cheap and improving kind of literatur
induces them to announce a new literary periodical, under the ti
of REPOSITORY OF INSTRUCTIVE AND AMUSING TRACTS. This Wor
to resemble in some respects the MISCELLANY OF TRACTS complet
a few years ago, will aim at a higher, though not less popular ton
and satisfy, it is hoped, the new requirements of the day in regard
literary elegance. In carrying on the undertaking, Messrs CHAMBE
will be assisted by skilled writers in various departments; and as t
whole of the Tracts will be under their own editorial supervisio
they can with confidence offer the REPOSITORY as a fitting compani
to the family circle. Each of the Tracts will embrace a single subjec
varied to suit different ages and tastes. An important object will
to furnish innocent entertainment, mingled with correct informatio
and sound instruction, under the control of good taste, and free, a
far as possible, from controversial matter. The Editors, therefor
trust that the present Series of Tracts will take as prominent a part a
the former in that department of the great business of educating tl
People which is committed to the untrammelled agency of the Pres

The REPOSITORY consists of a series of Penny Sheets, issue
Weekly; Four constitute a Monthly Part, at Fivepence, and Eigh
form a Two-Monthly Volume, in coloured fancy boards, at Or
Shilling. Each Volume is illustrated with Wood-engravings, and
has a neatly engraved Title-page.

VOLUME II. NOW COMPLETED.

HERE are few subjects at this moment exciting so generally the interest and sympathy of the civilised world, as the fate of the missing expedition under Sir John Franklin. As year after year rolls by, and squadron after squadron returns to our shores from an unsuccessful search after the lost navigators, the mind recurs with a melancholy interest to those dreary seas, amid whose icy solitudes our long absent countrymen are, or have been, imprisoned for so many years. What is being done, and what has been done for their rescue ?-what has become of the missing ships, and what means are there for the sustenance of human life for so long a period in those frozen regions?-are questions which are heard on every side, as each successive failure brings more vividly before the mind the terrible fate awaiting so many gallant and devoted men, unless timely succour be afforded them.

No. 45.

1

In the following pages, it is proposed to bring together, in clear and connected form, such information as will satisfy th reader's inquiries upon most of these points. Of the fate of th missing expedition itself, no intelligence, unfortunately, has as ye reached us. Beyond the discovery of Franklin's first winter quarters at the entrance of Wellington Channel, the only resul indeed, of the various searching expeditions which have left thi country within the last six years-except the large additions tha have been made to our stock of geographical knowledge-has bee to shew where our lost countrymen are not, and to incite us t fresh efforts for their rescue from their present perilous situation wherever that may be. The general belief of those officers wh have served on the former arctic expeditions appears to be, tha Franklin must have penetrated to a far greater distance to th westward than has yet been attained by any of the parties des patched in search of him, and indeed by any previous expedition to the polar seas; and that, whatever accident may have befalle the Erebus and Terror, they cannot wholly have disappeare from those seas, but that some traces of their fate, if not som living remnant of their crews, must eventually reward th search of the diligent investigator. It is possible they may b found in quarters the least expected. There is thus still reaso for hope, if for nothing more, and still a necessity for the grea and honourable exertions which hope has prompted and sti keeps alive.

The Erebus and Terror, for the safety of whose officers an crews so deep an interest is now felt, sailed from Sheerness on th 25th May 1845, and are consequently now passing through th severe ordeal of their eighth winter in the arctic regions. Th two vessels had just returned from the antarctic expedition to th south polar seas under Sir James Ross, where their qualification for the peculiar service upon which they were about to enter ha been fully tested. The total complement of officers and seamen i each ship was as follows:

EREBUS, Screw Discovery-ship, 30 Horse-power.

Captain-Sir John Franklin, K.C.H.
(Rear-admiral).*
Commander-James
(Captain).

Fitzjames

Lieutenants-Graham Gore (Commander), Henry T. D. le Vesconte, James William Fairholme.

Mates-Charles F. des Vœux (Lie
tenant), R. O. Sargent (Lieutenan
Edward Couch (Lieutenant).
Ice-master-James Read (Acting).
Surgeon-S. S. Stanley.
Assistant-surgeon-H. D. S. Goods
Paymaster and Purser-C. H. Osme
Second-master-H. F. Collins.

Fifty-eight petty officers, seamen, and marines. Full complement, 70,

*The promotions which have taken place since the departure of the expediti are indicated within parentheses.