The prize of four centuries of striving yielded at last to the most persistent and scientific attack ever waged against it.

Peary's success was made possible by long experience, which gave him a thorough knowledge of the difficulties to be overcome, and by an unusual combination of mental and physical power--a resourcefulness which enabled him to find a way to surmount all obstacles, a tenacity and courage which knew no defeat, and a physical endowment such as nature gives to few men.
It has been well said that the glory of Peary's achievement belongs to the world and is shared by all mankind.

But we, his fellow-countrymen, who have known how he has struggled these many years against discouragement and scoffing and how he has persevered under financial burdens that would have crushed less stalwart shoulders, specially rejoice that he has "made good at last," and that an American has become the peer of Hudson, Magellan, and Columbus.
GILBERT H.GROSVENOR.
National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
August 30, 1910.
[Illustration: STELLAR PROJECTION, SHOWING THE RELATION OF THE POLAR SEA TO THE VARIOUS CONTINENTS] THE NORTH POLE.