performed quarantine), and passing overland, arrived at London, July 29th, 1820, In travelling through France he was so severely attacked by ophthalmia, as to be nearly deprived of sight; but on his arrival in England he soon recovered. At this latter period, poor Belford continued still deaf and much emaciated, and with but little prospect of his ever regaining health or strength.
In Dec. following, our enterprising traveller was named by Captain Smyth, as a person properly qualified to assist him in completing the investigation of the coast between Tripoli and Egypt. In a letter to Viscount Melville, on the subject of African explorations, that scientific officer says: – “From my long acquaintance with him, I make no hesitation in recommending Lieutenant Lyon as singularly eligible for such a mission, from his natural ardour, his attainments, his professional habits, and, above all, his very complete assumption of the Moorish character.” Instead, however, of being sent back to Tripoli, he was very soon afterwards promoted to the command of the Hecla bomb-vessel, then fitting out at Deptford, for the purpose of exploring Repulse Bay, &c. in company with, and under the orders of Captain Parry. An outline of this voyage, during which Captain Lyon “uniformly displayed the most laudable zeal and strenuous exertions,” has been given at pp. 353–361 of Suppl. Part IV. His “Private Journal” was subsequently published, and might be aptly termed the “Sayings and Doings of the Esquimaux.”
Captain Lyon obtained post rank Nov 13, 1823; and was appointed to the Griper bark, fitting out for another voyage of discovery in the icy regions, Jan. 10, 1824. A few days afterwards, the freedom of Chichester was presented to him, in the presence of the Duke of Richmond, High Steward of that city, on which occasion the whole corporation attended in their robes, and William Charles Newland, Esq., the mayor, addressed him in a neat and appropriate speech, of which the following is the substance:–
