1J4 Fatal Accident which happened ft) 



fumm.it of an Lniulated rock which terminates the mountain 

 of Bafme to the north, and at a little diftance from the neck 

 or patTage of that name which conduits from ChamounI to 

 the Valais, becoming giddy, made a falfe ftep, and was dallied 

 to pieces at the bottom of the precipice. 



A Genevefe family, who had gone to vifit the ice cave of 

 Arveron, and who happened to be there at a time when 

 the arch fell down in fucceffive fragments, in confeqnence, 

 it is faid, of a piftol being fired, having beeiTfo imprudent 

 as not to retire in proper time, while, the accumulated ice 

 obftrucled the torrent, one of the fons was crulhcd to death 

 by the falling blocks of ice, and hurried away by the waves ; 

 another was fevcrcly wounded ; and the father, after both 

 his legs were broken, efcaped from deftruclion only in a 

 manner almoft miraculous. 



Thefe, however, are the only unlucky events which have 

 taken place for a long time in a country vifited by many of 

 the curious, who are fometimes imprudent. It may readily 

 be believed that none of thefe accidents would have hap- 

 pened, had thole who fell victims to them liftened to the 

 voice of common prudence, which would dictate nearly as 

 follows : 



That there is verv little merit or glory in expofing one's 

 life, through oltentatiun, in order to difplay a courage in 

 which the molt common rope-dancer will always be fupcrior 

 to the traveller who attempts to give proofs of his good head 

 pr agility in attempts more or lefs dangerous. 



That no one ought to think of traveling thefe mountains 

 except when conducted by a robuft, prudent, and experienced 

 guide. Nothing can be more treacherous and deceitful than 

 thofe things which appear caly when feen at a diftance; 

 thole apparent paflages, in which travellers are gradually in- 

 volved, without reflecting that, if they are at laft Hopped by 

 fear, or by the impoffibility of proceed . g further, this fear 

 will double the difficulty of retreating, becaufc it deftroys that 

 eoolnefs which is neceflary for extricating one from difagree- 

 able fituations. I have more than once experienced t: at it 

 js pollible to recover this eoolnefs by refolving to look only 

 .forward:-., and endeavouring, by au effort of the imagination, 



, to 



