The pressure on the key at headquarters releases the horses in the stalls of the various engine-houses. Instantly these clever beasts dash out of their boxes and place themselves at the shafts, the collar clasps around their necks and harnesses them to the engine; the men slide down the poles to their places, the gates swing open, and the engine is out and dashing along the road in less time than it takes to tell about it. By the use of regularly appointed signals, the first fireman who arrives at the fire can inform headquarters just how serious the fire is, and whether more engines should be sent. On one occasion a great fire broke out in the busy part of New York city. It was a serious fire; and according to the records at headquarters, in less than four minutes the first batch of engines had arrived and three extra calls had been sent out, which were speeding half the engines in the city to the scene of the fire. It will interest you to know that the fire department of the city of New York has reached such a degree of excellence that the risk of serious damage and loss by fire has been greatly reduced, and, in consequence, the insurance companies have lowered the rate of insurance; that is to say, they do not charge people as much money to insure their property this year as they did last year and have done for many years past. * * * * * The anxiety about Professor Andree has increased. The steamer which left Tromso, Norway, in search of the explorer has returned, and reports that no traces of him could be found. Search parties were sent out in every direction, but nothing could be discovered. The vessel sailed on November 5th and returned on the 21st, and her crew declare that a most vigilant search was made. The vessel was sent in consequence of the report brought in by the wrecked whalers that they had heard cries for help. * * * * * A strange freak of nature is reported from Kansas. The railroad station of Rozel, eighteen miles from Larned, has been swallowed up. When the people in the neighborhood went to bed at night, the station was in its usual place; in the morning the station, two or three small elevators, and a few other small buildings had disappeared. Investigation proved that they had been swallowed up, and had disappeared in a chasm. The depth of this rent in the earth cannot be determined. The hole is said to be about an acre in extent, of oblong shape, with walls reaching straight down for seventy feet, at which depth the hole is filled with dark, stagnant water, into which anything that is thrown immediately sinks. No lives were lost, as no one remains at the station over night. The interest of the surrounding country is intense, and many theories are advanced as to the cause of the catastrophe.