“You have learnt from the newspapers that the object of our company is the opening up of the coal-fields of the North Pole, the concession of which we have obtained. The estate acquired in public auction is the property of the company, and the capital, which was all subscribed by the 11th of December last, enables us to enter at once on an enterprise which will produce a rate of interest unknown up to now in any commercial or industrial operation whatever.” Here the first murmur of approval for a moment interrupted the orator. “You are aware of how we came to discover that there were rich beds of coal, and also possibly of fossil ivory, in the circumpolar regions. The statements in the public press leave no doubt as to the existence of these coal strata. “Now coal has become the source of all modern industry. To say nothing of the fuel used for heating purposes, or of its employment for the production of steam and electricity, I may direct your attention to its derivatives, the aniline colours, the perfumes, the picrates, salicylic acid, naphtol, phenol, antipyrin, benzin, naphthalin, pyrogallic acid, tannin, saccharin, tar, asphalt, pitch, lubricating oils, varnish, yellow prussiate of potass, cyanide, bitters, &c., &c.” And after this enumeration, which had been given with great rapidity, the orator paused like an exhausted runner to take a long breath. Then he continued,— “It is indubitable that coal will in time be exhausted. Before five hundred years the mines in operation to-day—” “Three hundred!” shouted one of the crowd. “Two hundred!” roared another. “Let us say a delay more or less restricted,” said Barbicane, “and put ourselves in a position to see what new coal-fields then remain, supposing that the present fields are exhausted at the close of this century.” Here he paused to enable his audience to concentrate their attention. Then he continued,— “Now, fellow-shareholders, follow me, and let us start for the North Pole.” And the audience rose as if to pack their baggage ready for shipboard. An observation from Major Donellan put a sudden stop to this movement of enthusiasm. “Before you start,” said he, “will you kindly inform the meeting how you intend going? Are you going by sea?” “Neither by sea, nor by land, nor by air!” said Barbicane sweetly. And the assembly sat down, a prey to very pardonable curiosity. “You are not without some knowledge,” continued the orator, “of the attempts that have been made to reach that inaccessible point of the terrestrial spheroid. It is better, however, that I should remind you of a few of them. It will be to render due honour to the bold pioneers who have survived and those who have succumbed in these expeditions.” Unanimous approval from the entire audience irrespective of nationality. “In 1845,” resumed Barbicane, “Sir John Franklin with the _Erebus_ and _Terror_ set out to find the North-West Passage, and nothing more was heard of him.