Ascont of the Jungfrau in 1841. 305 
by the Rottthal; but he did not even reach the col which 
separates that valley from the glacier of Aletsch. This na- 
turalist relates that, in 1828, some Englishmen made the same 
attempt, and that they had nearly fallen victims to their rash~ 
ness. After having reached the Col du Rottthal with great 
difficulty, they were obliged to descend again by the same 
path. M. Hugi again returned to the charge in 1832. He 
ascended this time by the lower glacier of the Grindelwald, 
behind the Eiger, and would, no doubt, have succeeded in 
gaining the summit of the Jungfrau, if bad weather had not 
overtaken him when on the platforms of snow. 
M. Rohrdorf, attached to the museum of Berne, took the 
same route in 1828, but was not more successful than M. 
Hugi. However, this latter attempt was not altogether a 
failure, for some days later (8th September) the guides who 
had accompanied him, with J. Baumann at their head, ascend- 
ed, and fixed the flag, which M. Rohrdorf had given them when 
he departed, on the summit of the Jungfrau. The account 
these men gave us of their progress, in every respect agrees 
with what we ourselves observed. No one, accordingly, has 
ever questioned their ascent, and hitherto they were looked 
upon throughout the whole of the Oberland as the only indi- 
viduals who had enjoyed a near view of the Virgin Peak. A 
last attempt was made a few weeks before our ascent by Mr 
Cowan, an Englishman, who ascribed the failure of his enter- 
prise to the unskilfulness of his guides. 
The cottages of Meeril, where we passed the night, are si- 
tuated in a little valley which opens above the valley of 
Viesch, at an elevation of about 6000 feet, and which abuts 
on the great valley of Aletsch.* Although not very comfort- 
* Tn fact this valley is a direct prolongation of that of Aletsch. Butas it 
is a few dozen metres higher than the valley of Natters, which here meets 
the valley of Aletsch at right angles, it follows that the glacier, instead of 
continuing its course in a straight line from north to south, in the direction 
which seems presented for it by the topographical lines, turns suddenly to 
the west, and continues till it abuts above Natters. (See the map of the 
brothers Meyer.) 
A difference of level from 20 to 30 metres has consequently been sufficient 
to cause the glacier to deviate from its original direction. I insist on this 
