our progress as comfortable as possible: it was therefore not a day of idleness.

Many of the guides who had desired to be chosen, in the event of my fulfilling my intention, now declined to proceed with me. The Chef de guides fixed three o'clock for enrolling those who would volunteer; when that hour came, I could not fill up my list of six: many were found wanting, some bringing for excuse that their wives would not allow them, others that their mothers, sisters, children, interfered; and I could only find four who were determined to accompany me. In the evening I made up the number; but again two of them changed their minds; and at ten o'clock only had I my six guides, certain of setting off in the morning. Two young men of the village, one a naturalist, the other performing a sort of apprenticeship for the situation of a guide, strenuously begged to be allowed to join my party. They were both led by curiosity, and finding that the guides were not averse to their accompanying us, I granted permission. Our number, therefore, amounted to nine*, six guides, the two villagers, and myself.

number of double-headed screws, to be fixed into the heel of his shoes on arriving at the glacier.

* The following are the names and designations of my guides:

Among the concourse of visitors to Chamonix of all nations, I could find but one who was at all willing to accompany me. He certainly would have been glad to have done so, but a promise interfered with his desires. I must, however, say, that all were most anxious to render me every assistance in their power. The evening was beautiful, and with several of my countrymen, standing on the small hillock which faces the village, on the other side of the river, I watched with peculiar interest the rays of the sun slowly retiring up the mountain, and decking it with splendour. To view the whole valley in perfection, I recommend this spot: It commands both ends, embraces the line of

1. Joseph Marie Coutet, married, aged 36; had been up seven times; was nearly killed by the avalanche in Dr. Hamel's attempt. He was my chief guide, and in very dangerous places always took the lead.

2. Julien Devouassoud, married, aged 37; up once; was one of Dr. Hamel's guides; saved Coutet, being precipitated into a crevice with him. His duty was to remain attached to my person. In his prudence and presence of mind I firmly relied. His bravery is well known.

3. Jean Pierre Tairraz, le jeune, up twice; aged 40; single. 4. Jacques Simond, married, aged 40; never up.

5. Michel Favret, widower, aged 31; up once.

6. Jean Marie Coutet, married, aged 49; never up.

Auguste Couttet, aged 19; a villager; never up.

Michel Carrier, aged 30; never up; keeps a Cabinet d'Histoire Naturelle; a clever intelligent man.

Aiguilles and Mont Blanc on the one side, and the whole of the Breven and Aiguilles Rouges on the other. Some villagers joined us, and by telling anecdotes of their companions, amused us so highly, that we thought not of retiring, until the dew of evening, falling heavily, warned us to seek shelter.

Most of the guides, we learnt, are desirous of making the ascent, but either through the interference of their families, as has been before observed, or afraid of the rarefied air and the fatigue, they do not attempt it. The first question generally asked by the visitors of all nations, and invariably by the Fair sex, is, "Have you been up the mountain?" They all know the value of the recommendation, if they have been, and with great pride answer in the affirmative: those who have not, attempt to evade the question, or reply dejectedly, conscious that not half the reliance will be placed on them as on their more intrepid and experienced associates.

Six o'clock was the time fixed for starting, and every man was desired to be in attendance before that hour, but I could not get them together at that time; four had to part from their wives and children, and all of them from relatives; when they did join us, it was with a cortêge,