The aerial globe seems now no bigger than an egg. On the horizon an obstacle appears in the route; this is the continuation of a chain of mountains about 328 feet high right in the path of the balloon, which seems very close to the obstacle, and some of the sailors round me, who have never before seen a balloon start on its trip, seem in great terror; they think the balloon will be hopelessly wrecked. I reassure them, telling them that the balloon is still far away from the hills, which will be easily surmounted, without there even being any necessity to throw out ballast. The balloon travels on, maintained at the same altitude by the guide-ropes. In the neighbourhood of the hills there is an upward current of air; the balloon will follow this; it would only risk striking against the obstacle if the movement were downwards, which is not the case. Moreover, the guide-ropes first rest upon the rocks and thus lighten the balloon, which gradually rises. We see it clear the top of the hill, and stand out clearly for a few minutes against the blue sky, and then slowly disappear from our view behind the hill. Scattered along the shore, we stand motionless, with hearts full, and anxious eyes, gazing at the silent horizon. For one moment then, between two hills, we perceive a grey speck over the sea, very, very far away, and then it finally disappears. The way to the Pole is clear, no more obstacles to encounter; the sea, the ice-field, and the Unknown! We look at one another for a moment, stupefied. Instinctively we draw together without saying a word. There is nothing, nothing whatever in the distance to tell us where our friends are; they are now shrouded in mystery. “Farewell! Farewell! Our most fervent prayers go with you. May God help you! Honour and glory to your names!” ALEXIS MACHURON. The Last Message from Andrée The following message from Andrée shows the progress made by the hardy explorer. We reproduce it in facsimile. [Illustration] (1)—_The Andrée Polar Expedition to the “Aftonbladet” Stockholm._ _July 13th, 12.30 p.m., 82°2´ north latitude, 15°5´ east longitude. Good journey eastwards, 10° south. All goes well on board. This is the third message sent by pigeon._ ANDRÉE. Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London. The Pupils of Peter the Great A History of the Russian Court and Empire from 1697 to 1740 By R. NISBET BAIN Author of “Gustavus III. and His Contemporaries,” “Charles XII.” “Hans Christian Andersen: A Biography” WITH PHOTOGRAVURE FRONTISPIECE AND PORTRAITS _Demy 8vo, 318 pp. Price 15s. net._ _OPINIONS OF THE PRESS:_ “LIGHT ON A LYCEUM PLAY.”