The Paris Academy of Sciences has been investigating the project to explore the polar regions by balloon. They think it not unlikely that the adventurous aeronaut may arrive at his destination, but that the coming back may be attended with great danger. The balloon is built, and is large enough to carry three persons, all the equipments, instruments and provisions, and a boat may be made into a sledge. The expedition will start from one of the extreme northwestern Norwegian islands. A stiff south breeze and a clear day in July will determine the time. The explorer hopes to reach the north pole within forty-three hours. The meteorological conditions of this locality are said to be extremely favorable for a voyage of this sort. In July, the sun never sinks below the horizon, and there are but slight variations in the temperature. There are no storms to be feared, and ordinary snow-falls would not interfere with progress and observation.
Perhaps the Paris Academy was talking about the (ill-fated) voyage of Solomon August Andrée? If so, the PRISM site has the details from contemporary newspaper articles. You should go read them.
Polar balloons are used today for scientific exploration, but they are unmanned. Less romantic than Andrée perhaps, but safer.