To the Editor of the Sm,—Some of your readers will no doubt have been startled by the contents of a little paragraph you have published, which claims for a certain Captain J. A. Lawson the honour of having discovered, on the island of New Guinea, the highest mountain in the world, reaching the enormous height of 32,786 feet above the level of the sea, This marvellous very isnot new. Five years ago Captain Lawson published a book entitled " Wanderings in the Interior of New Guinea," embodying the scientific results of his journey across the island during the years 1872 and 1873. And yet, on referring to the latest maps and publications on the subject, one looks in rain for an indication of the grand addition which Captain Lawson claims to have made to our knowledge of the geography and natural history of the island. Although it is well known that some of the mountain chains of New Guinea reach the line of perpetual snow, "Mount Hercules" figures as yet only on the map and frontispiece of Captain Lawson's book, nor do the most authentic maps of the island show a trace of the large river flowing north which the author describes, and on the shores of which he counted 314 crocodiles in one hour. The fact is, his book is considered the most gigantic literary imposture ever attempted. "On turning to its pages, one is almost inclined to believe that the author intended it as @ satire upon modern works of travel; but while it is usual in such cases to let out the secret at the end of the book, Captain Lawson's account unfortunately' does not contain a single line which would preclude the assumption that he is in earnest. A few illustrations, taken at random from his work, will al once enlighten your readers as to the merits of Captain Lawson's discoveries. He tells us that New Guinea abounds with monkeys, tigers, deer and buffaloes (of the latter he passed a herd numbering over 10,000 head within a quarter of a mile), while it is a well-known fact that Australia and the whole of the Polynesian islands are almost solely inhabited by quadrupeds of the marsupial tribe. He is fortunate enough to kill a serpent measuring 40 fect in length, and he startles naturalists by the description of a butterfly measuring one foot with spread wings, and of an ebn-like tree, which reached the respectable height of 387 fect, having circumference of 8 feet. At one time he discovers three human skeletons, which in itself is not wonderful, but even Sir John Lubbock, we suppose, would be surprised to be told that the work of destraction had been done by ants within a few hours," On a big tree the traveller counted over 1,000 bird'snests, the whole group of trees containing not less than 20,000, and to perpetuate his name, he discovers and describes a new species of ducks, although we should consider it rather a precarious undertaking, even for ornithologists, to describe on the spot any new species of birds without having the means of referring to cognate forms. But the most marvellous feat performed by Captain Lawson is still in store for us. Leaving his camping place at the foot of " Mount Hereules," (2,000 feet above the level of the sea) at 4 o'clock in the morning, he ascended the giant mountain to a height of 25,314 feet, and reached home again at 7.30 o'clock the same evening! This is smart work indeed, considering that for 10,000 feet the traveller had to pass over snow-fields. On almost every page of his book we meet with the most absurd exaggerations, but enough has been said to convince your readers that little faith can be placed in Captain Lawson's alleged discovery of the highest mountain in the world.
Lam, Sir, Your obedient servant, M.S.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.