probability of mist shrouding the valleys, and clouds covering the mountains, ought to deter him from making the attempt, setting aside the chance of disappointment in not being able to reach it, the dangers to be undergone, and the hazard which he and the guides are continually exposed to of losing their lives for so trivial an object. But when a person does arrive on the summit, and no accident has occurred to interrupt the pleasure derived from the success, and a clear day, with a very extensive view, rewards his toil, then, indeed, he may consider himself well repaid. Such was my case. I must own that I was highly gratified; for I beheld scenes of which it is as impossible to convey an adequate idea by description as it is to efface their impression on the memory. Besides, having got safe through the terrible storm on the glacier, I would not have lost the opportunity of being in so awful a situation on any account, though I should have been far from choosing to expose myself to it. To all the questions I could therefore safely reply, that I was repaid-gratified beyond my fullest expectation. Indeed, although description had led me to expect much, yet I can say that I was not prepared for such splendid and magnificent scenes. At a late hour I took one of the mineral warm baths, which are so great a comfort in Chamonix to the weary traveller, and I felt perfect restoration from it. So little fatigued, indeed, was I, that I thought not of retiring to bed till past midnight, and, after a sound sleep, I rose at six, and went forth to search for my guides, intending to leave the valley at an early hour. The poor fellows, however, were so pressing in requesting me to remain and be present at the dinner which I ordered for them, and to take a parting glass of wine with them after it, that I could not resist. I procured the certificate which is given to those who have attained the summit by the Sardinian government, signed by the syndic or magistrate of Chamonix and the chief of the guides, and of which a fac simile is given. In the course of the day I visited Michel Carrier, the naturalist, who was completely blinded, and his face scorched, by the reflection from the snow. One of the guides, Jacques Simond, was also suffering greatly from the same cause; the others were not much marked. My own face was scorched, my lips much swollen, and my eyes inflamed; but this was the sole inconvenience I experienced. At four o'clock I bade them adieu, and left the valley with regret; for an attachment, arising from the circumstances in ous Georfraneis Payot Sindee твой не meine our contripeuple be journi urnie a 1827%. & Fimon Conttal Guide Chef Warrier, /CH. OF UNI Julien Dévuessend Pierre Fairroz le feune, jean Marie Simond Jacques which we had been placed, and the dangers which we had shared, had grown up between these men and myself, and as I shook hands with them for the last time, every one of them wept. Thus have I given a minute and faithful account of the particulars attending an enterprize no less perilous than interesting; nor perhaps will it be deemed presumptuous in me to say, that this brief narrative may be consulted with advantage by all those, who, influenced by a congenial spirit of adventure, may be disposed to engage in a similar undertaking. |