re 
282 A Week among the Glaciers. 
which Mont Blanc presents, and this is doubtless from the descrip. 
tion either of friends who have visited this spot, or the accounts 
given in the “hand-books of Chamonix,” which describe this 
mouutain as the “dark frowning monarch, » &c. 
Mont Blanc possesses a character to which such appellations 
will not apply. It rises far above the eine mountains; 
and as its lofty summit towers above athe rest, it impresses the 
beholder, not with the awful sublimity that does our own im- 
petuous Niagara, but by its grand and majestic serenity the tur 
bulent passions which agitate ur bosoms are quelled to silence 
in contemplating the stillness "7 Jat rests on its eternal now ca 
eights. : 
In the valley of Chamontail runs the river Arve, and has fora 
tributary the Arveron, which issues from beneath the Glacier du 
Bois, and is visited by all to see the icy arch, which has been . 
formed by the waters of the river, in conjunction with the rays 
of the sun. Its height varies much in different seasons, and even 
during the same year it may be named from thirty to one hut 
dred feet. 
The asce on & Mont Blanc is attempted by few. The fs 
successful one was made by Prof. De Saussure, whose valuable 
researches, and the praiseworthy object he had in view, (the ad 
vancement of science,) are sufficient excuse for hazarding the 
lives of his guides, who are tempted by money to brave the it 
evitable danger of the journey. Since his ascension it has beet 
attempted by a few adventurers with varied success, and getel 
ally with no other motive than mere curiosity or a spirit of bra- 
vado. Recently a Dr. Barry of England made a successful a 
cent, and has published an account of it, with his observations; 
but owing to the inaccuracy of his instruments, his experimenls 
cannot be relied upon, which we much regret. 
By the present arrangement of the government, the ascent of 
Mont Blanc is very expensive, in consequence of the great nunr 
ber of guides requisite to be taken; and it is also annoying by 
the forms and ceremonies attendant on such an expedition. Whet 
a party intend making the ascent, mass is previously said in thé 
village church, for the safety of the guides and travellers; and 
the guides, for whom more especially it is said, are obliged to at 
tend. On the whole it is rather an imposing sights to see these 
sturdy mountaineers attending this religious ceremony, before at 
tempting to brave the dangers of an ascent. 
