The Alps being exhausted, and Cotopaxi subdued, the Alpine
climbers are at last turning their attention to the highest mountains in the world, the English Himalayas. The ascent of these peaks was supposed to be nearly impossible, partly from the want of food, water, and population, and partly from their enormous height, which reached to aerial strata where it was supposed life could not be maintained.. Mr. Graham, M.A.C., however, has started to attempt Kinchinjinga with two Swiss guides, and has found very lofty ascents not impossible. He has not yet ascended Kinchinjinga, but he stopped only a few feet short of the top of Dunagiri, at an altitude of 22,500 ft., which he found quite- endurable. He also crossed a peak, which he calls Mount Moral, 22,326 ft., and another, Kang La, 20,300 ft.. The coolies give great trouble, as they dread the high summits, and will not put themselves on rations, but custom and the establishment of a station or two will soon overcome these difficulties. Com- petent natives will soon take to the work, if it pays, and if they are treated with a consideration which Mr. Graham in his letter does not quite show. We do not despair of record- ing before the close of next year that an Englishman has scaled Mount Everest, the highest point on the earth's surface, and British property. He ought to be presented with the summit. for an estate.
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