The Ascent of Mount Si. Mies. By Filippo de Filippi.
Trans- kted by Signora Linda Villari. (1. Constable and Co. 31s. ed. net.)—H.R.H. the Duke of the Abruzzi cherished the ambition of ascending some unconquered peak. His first thoughts were directed to Hauge Parbat (between Cashmere and Chitral), a height of 26,000 ft. Circumstances were unfavourable, for there was famine in India. The choice of Mount St. Elias was then made. At first this seems an inferior achievement, for the Alaskan mountain boasts of an altitude of 18,000 ft. only, more than a mile and a half less than the Himalayan peak. But the latitude of Alaska equalises, or more than equalises, the difficulty of the two operations. The snow-line is only 2,300 ft. above sea- level, so that nearly 16,000 ft. of snow-fields and glacier have to be traversed. On the Mexican volcanoes, which are only some 1,000 ft. less in height, the forests reach up more than 13,000 ft., leavings comparatively small balance of difficulty. And when we come to read the actual story, we see how vast were the difficul- ties. The time consumed in the enterprise is in itself a sufficient proof. The actual work was begun on June 24th, when the first preliminary exploration was made from Yakutat Bay, and the ascent was actually accomplished on July 31st, MICH. planting his foot on the summit fifteen minutes before twelve noon. His precedence was not only due to his rank, but to his actual leadership. His capacity, skill, and determination hao much to do with the success of the expedition, and these qualitie, were matched by his physical powers. He showed no signs of distress, while the majority of the company were more or less affected. Fortunately, all were able to reach the summit. They were favoured, it should be said, by excep- tionally fine weather, a complete calm and an "ideal temperature." neither too hot nor too cold. We cannot attempt to analyse the narrative, which, from the multiplicity of the necessary preparations and the variety of the ground traversed, is somewhat complex. It will repay a careful perusal ; no perusal, indeed, that is not careful will be of any value. We may say that a simultaneous attempt by a gentleman of Phila- delphia failed, partly on account of the severe illness of one of the porters. The party was small and could not stand the loss of two of its number. H.R.H. had four guides, who seem to have been very useful (Signor Filippi rightly vindicates the policy of employing them), and twelve porters, four of them, it is interesting to be told, students of American Uni- versities. The book is magnificently illustrated by Vittorio Sella. The Kodak, we are told, was found specially useful. AU profits, we may add, are to go to an Insurance Fund for Italian Guides.
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