The last news of the Arctic Expedition that we are
likely to have for some time was received this week from the ' Valorous,' the steamer which left in May last, in company with the 'Alert' and ' Discovery,' carrying stores for the exploring vessels. The voyage as far as Disco Island, off the west coast of Greenland, at the southern entrance of Baffin's Bay, occupied thirty-six days, and in the heavy weather a boat was carried off from each of the exploring ships,which the 'Valorous' was able to replace. At Disco, the stores carried by the ' Valorous' were placed on board the ' Alert' and the ' Discovery, 'and there also they were provided with Esquimaux dogs and drivers. Off Ritenbank, on the 17th of July, the' Valorous' parted company with the exploring ships, signalling, "Farewell; a speedy return." "The fog came onin the evening," says Commander Markham's report, "and this was the last that was seen of the Arctic Expedition:' There is reason to believe that, as the wind was favourable and the weather fine, the 'Alert' and the Dis- covery," passed through Melville Bay and reached the north water without serious obstruction. Here the Expedition is to deposit a record, and to establish a &pot on the Carey Islands. Thence they will push forward towards the Pole. It is calculated that the work of next year will begin about the 1st of April, and it is probable that the 'Discovery' has by this time reached her winter quarters, the 'Alert' struggling on as long and as far as she can.
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