“To-day being the national _fête_ day of your native country, _la belle France_, we gladly seized the welcome opportunity to present to M. Lachambre our sincere thanks for the great services which he has rendered to our expedition by the careful and excellent work which he has executed, and for his personal attendance here in order to give us the benefit of his valuable experience. Certainly, this voyage has been a great sacrifice, both for you and for him, and it is, therefore, our duty to thank you as well as M. Lachambre. “We have this day drunk the health of M. and Madame Lachambre, at the same time hoisting the tricolour and singing the ‘Marseillaise.’ On this occasion Andrée has had the honour of fixing on M. Lachambre’s breast the decoration of the Academical Palms, and we have congratulated him with enthusiasm on receiving this well-merited distinction. “We beg you will rest assured, Dear Madame, that we are doing our best to minimise the inconveniences resulting to M. Lachambre from a life in these very inhospitable regions. “We are, Dear Madame, “Yours most respectfully, (Signed) “S. A. ANDRÉE; NILS EKHOLM; NILS STRINDBERG; ZACHAU, captain of the _Virgo_; GOSTE GRUMBERG, zoologist; CARL EKELUND, physician; SVANTE ARRHÉNIUS, hydrographer.” And while Strindberg strummed on his violin the most poetical and impassioned Swedish tunes, the wind raged outside and the vessel rocked and creaked fearfully. _Dansk-Gatt, on board the “Virgo,” July 16th, noon._—The storm, after calming down for a short time, burst forth again last night with renewed violence, and the _Express_, which left at eight, was obliged to return in haste some hours afterwards to take shelter near the _Virgo_. The _Virgo_ is a strong vessel, capable of braving a storm, but it is otherwise with the small sloop, which already has barely escaped shipwreck in coming here. VII The Inflation _July 21st._—To-day for the first time we were able to commence devoting our attention to the balloon, which, since its disembarkation, has remained enclosed in its case at the foot of the shed. It is now brought to the entrance and extended on the floor, covered with a thick layer of felt. It is spread out after the manner of a cast-net, the valves are fitted to it, together with their rigging, the net is placed in position, as well as the protecting cover. The inflating pipes, passing through an opening made in the middle of the floor, are joined to the gas apparatus situated 87 yards away below the shed, behind Pike House.