Mount Everest has withstood the determined' assaults of General Bruce's
expedition. The monsoon broke on June 3rd, and prevented a third attempt from being made on the summit. At the second' attempt on May 27th Captain Bence and Mr. Finch, who had spent two nights at a height of 25,500 feet while a furious gale strove to tear their little tent away, succeeded in reaching a point, 27,300 feet high, half-way between the north- east shoulder and the summit. They then had to descend for safety's sake, and were completely exhausted when they came to their lower camp. They used oxygen and found it most• helpful in warming them by day and in enabling them to sleep at night. But the weight of the oxygen apparatus hampered • them teethe' actual climb over rough rocks. Whether the actual summit, 29,000 feet high, can be attained in a rare spell of fine weather or by unusually strong and lucky men must remain doubtful. Nevertheless the climbing party, well supported by their native porters, have done wonders, and the expedition has all but achieved its purpose.
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