New York Daily Herald, Sunday, July 31, 1870, p. 7, col. 6

LADY JANE FRANKLIN.

The Widow of the Arctic Martyr in New York—Her Journey Round the World—Something of Her Travels and Experiences—Her Arrival at the House of Mr. Henry B. Grinnell.

Throughout America—from the heart of its most populous cities to the humblest cabin in the Western solitudes—there are few persons to be found who have not heard of the name of Sir John Franklin. All the vicissitudes of the last terrible winter spent in the north of which tidings reached us, all the vain searches made for him and his last party of heroic explorers, both by brave English seamen and our own hardy navigators, have been told over at the fireside and recounted in poetry, till nearly every man, woman and child is familiar with the sad story of their heroism and their sufferings. When the pall was first thrown over the fate of the party the lady who arrived in New York to-night was a young and beautiful woman, blessed with more than ordinary intellectual power, and with a rare and unswerving devotion seldom found among our modern wives and daughters. Her love permeating all, thrilled the very world, and awoke in all hearts grand vibrations of sympathy. Through her appeals both England and America were aroused and ships and expeditions were fitted out to search for her husband. How those searches ended alas! we all know. Captain Hall alone brought back tidings of value.

Lady Franklin, suffering from the rigorous climate of England, determined some time since upon a voyage to the South, and passed along the Pacific coast till feeling a thrill of the old unfading spirit which enabled her to cheer her husband at parting on his voyage. [S]he went on to Alaska. The story of her journey to learn facts in regard to his fate from some one in Peru is a fiction. Returning down the Pacific coast to San Francisco, Lady Franklin passed overland to Cincinnati to meet with and thank Captain Hall. Her stay at that point was one grand ovation, prompted by the noblest feelings of the people. Lady Franklin then visited Niagara, where she was warmly welcomed, and, last of all, came to New York, as a fitting ending of what had now become a pilgrimage, to pay a visit to our noble citizen who had been to her, indeed, a friend, Henry B. Grinnell. Lady Franklin arrived at the residence of Mr. Grinnell at half-past ten o’clock P. M., and was received by that gentleman with more than his well known affability and warmheartedness. Lady Franklin, in person, is of petite figure, vivacious and graceful, showing little fatigue after her long and wearisome journey, and conversing in the most spirited and charming manner. She seems very much pleased with the attention shown her since her arrival in the republic, and no doubt understands the deep current of sympathy which exists for her in the popular heart. Her stay in New York will be for about two weeks only, during which time she will seek for retirement and rest after her long journeyings, and after its expiration will sail for England, bearing with her the kindest wishes of the American people.

Citation: New York Daily Herald, Sunday, July 31, 1870, p. 7, col. 6. Source: newspapers.com image 843815510.