(40 -Or. HameVs Account of [Jan. 



•I saw myself already on the summit. I took a specimen of the 

 highest rock in Europe to place it in the Imperial Mineralogical 

 Cabinet at St. Petersburgh. I intended some for the museum 

 at Geneva, and other collections. 



" We crossed the great platform of snow, at the entrance of 

 which we had breakfasted. "While crossing, I had occasion to 

 remain for some time rather behind, and it was near the angle 

 on the right that 1 rejoined the company. We ascended about 

 half the height of the great acclivity of snow, which, extending 

 the whole length of the platform, rises towards the summit of 

 Mont Blanc. As, however, between this acclivity and the 

 summit there are ridges of ice which are almost vertical, it is 

 necessary to cross the acclivity horizontally, by keeping to the 

 left, in order to reach the last great rocks at the height of 

 14,700 feet from which Italy is visible. From these rocks, by 

 turning to the right, the summit is ascended, at the height of 

 960 feet. W^e walked one after the other, for it is preferable to 

 tread in the footsteps of the first guide, who, on account of the 

 iatigue which he suffers, is clianged from time to time. 

 - " We advanced thus in a nearly horizontal line, crossing the 

 ttcclivity about half way up ; that is to say, at almost equal dis- 

 tances between the ridges on our right, and the platform of snow 

 upon our left. No one spoke, for at this height even talking is 

 fatiguing, and the air conveys sound but faintly. I was still the 

 iast, and after taking a dozen steps, supported by my stick, I 

 stopped to make 16 inspirations. 1 found that in this manner I 

 ■could advance without exhaustion. Prepared with green spec- 

 tacles, and with crape before the face, my eyes were fixed upon 

 my steps, which 1 counted. Suddenly 1 felt the snow give way 

 «nder my feet. Thinking that 1 merely slipped, 1 thrust my 

 'Stick to the left, but in vain. The snow, which accumulated on 

 my right, overturned and covered me; and I felt myself forced 

 downwards with irresistible power. I thought at first that I was 

 the only one who suffered tiiis accident, but feeling the snow 

 accumulate upon me so as almost to prevent my breathing, I 

 imagined that a great avalanche was descending from Mont 

 Blanc, and forcing the snow before it. Every moment I 

 expected to be crushed by this mass : while descending 1 turned 

 over repeatedly, and I strove with my strength to divide the snow 

 with my arms, in which 1 was buried and struggling. I succeeded 

 at last in getting my head out, and I saw that a great part of 

 the acclivity was moving ; but as I found mystlf near the edge 

 of this slippery part, I made every effort to get upon the hard 

 snow, where 1 might at last find footing. It was not until then 

 that 1 knew the extent of the danger ; for I saw myself near a 

 crevice which terminated the acclivity, and separated it from 

 the platform. At the same moment I saw Mr. Hendcrson't 

 head still nearer this abyss. 1 discovered still further Mr. Dora- 

 ford and three guides, but the five others did not appear, X 



