Notes On Literature, Science And Art.

Dr . Forbes Winslow states , that over ten thousand persons are now confined in the lunatic asylums of the United States , who have been driven mad by the strange delusion called Spiritualism . A painting of the Last Supper , executed

by Raphael shortly before his death , Avhich occurred April 7 th , 1520 , is said to have been discovered at NBAV Orleans . The p icture has been roughly cut from its original frame , and put into a smaller one , Rap hael ' s monogram being- discovered

under a fold . of the canvass . Where it has been during the three hundred and fifty-six years that have elapsed since the hand that painted it lost its cunning through the Heeding of his " leech , " Avould be a curious historyif it could be come at .

, Referring to the recent Arctic Expedition , Sir Rutherford Alcock , President of the Royal Society , says : — "We know sufficient already , independent of the more scientific results , to feel assured it brings with its return a conviction that a

further advance to the North Pole by Smith Sound is impracticable . Assuming this to be ascertained , I do not conceive , however , that it can Avith justice be considered a merely negative result . To me it seems a very positive and useful result

to have achieved ; for the next best thing to reaching the North Pole is to demonstrate the impractibility of such an achievement , and so close the chapter of failures , Avhich have been attended with much loss

of life aud years of serious suspense and anxiety . The mystery of ' an open Polar Sea ' has been dispelled , by Avhat appears to be conclusive evidence that it has no existence . There has also been a gain to positive knowledge in demonstrating , for

the first time , the true nature of the climate in the Polar area . We may rejoice that the British flag has been carried nearer the North Pole than any other , in the van of all , at 83 deg . 20 ' min . 26 sec , and has been planted in the most desolate region

yet discovered on the globe—only 400 miles fi-om the Pole Not , indeed , for the puerile vanity of being a few miles nearer ^ e ' earth ' s summit , ' but because to be the first in such a struggle proves the possession of some of the best and highest qualities of our race—dauntless courage , ph ysical power of endurance of a rare order , sustained by unfailing energy and an

unconquerable will . It is only men of such a type , the best and highest we know , who can win their laurels in endeavours to reach the Pole . It may be as suggested the other day , that the ' North Pole is no more interesting , per sethan any other

, part of the Arctic regions , and is merely that spot on the earth where the sun ' s altitude is equal to its declination '—but this , which may serve as a scientific formula , gives no hold nor place for the spirit of the discoverers in all ages to whom the

unknown presents an irresistible attraction —nor the still larger classmen from which heroes spring , who need no other lure than the certainty of meeting danger anddifficult y in their path , aud the glory that attends success in triumphing over them . It is from the ranks of these chosen

pioneers of our race in the regions of the unknoAvu that Arctic Expeditions are recruited , and by them alone the noblest triumphs for science and civilisation are Avon in the fields of discovery . To them a waste of snow and a wilderness of rock , surrounded by ice barriershave no terrors .

, The limits of all navigation beyond the furthest range of migration for birds or life for animals , Avhere neither land nor water is , but only a frozen sea , with a night of five months , and a Avinter ' s . cold ranging CO deg . beloAv freezing pointonly

, served to beckon them on to see what yet may lay behind , in that great book of nature , icebound and ' sealed throughout the ages' to all the human race , with

frozen bands Avhich takes degrees of latitude in their span , and crush great ships between their folds , or fast lock them with a frozen grasp to the end of time . " Though anxious to see all men make the liberal arts and sciences their especial studyto see all strive hard to carry their

, researches into the hidden mysteries of nature and science , I cannot help expressing a hope that no more human lives Avill . be risked over what is evidently an unattainable object . Honour to the brave fellows who have so nobly sustained the courage

and intelligence of humanity in the intense cold and " darkness that may be felt" of the Arctic regions ; but let their testimony , and that of the true heroes Avho have proceeded them , satisfy us now and for ever . Rose Cottage , Stokesley .