II.] YOUTHFUL TRAVELS, 1826-27. 31 



hail his shade where it may still be supposed to delight 

 to roam/ 



It could not be that one so young and enthusiastic 

 could then feel the full force of Virgil's ' single words 

 and phrases, his pathetic half-lines, giving utterance, as 

 the voice of Nature herself, to that pain and weariness, 

 yet hope of better things, which is the experience of her 

 children in every time/ It is only one who has seen 

 much of life, and felt it deeply, who finds such meaning 

 in his words. But in the purity and gentleness of 

 the Roman poet there was that which came home to the 

 tender nature of this youth of seventeen. 



\Vhen they had crossed the Alps, we find he made this 

 entry at Geneva : 



' Went to Ferney, a beautiful drive of about a league ; 

 two rooms, as it is well known, are preserved as the 

 philosopher Voltaire left them. I took little pleasure in 

 seeing the recollections of this detestable man, of whom 

 perhaps one may say, the sooner he is forgot it will be 

 the better for his character and the peace of the world 

 in general/ 



Here is an anticipatory glance of what was to be : 



' July 1st. Reached Chamouni, this most interest- 

 ing spot, which was unknown even to the natives of 

 Geneva, though distant only eighteen leagues, till dis- 

 covered in 1741 by two English travellers, Pococke and 

 udham. . . . 



' July 2nd. We set off from the inn (the H6tel do 

 FUnion, a very comfortable house) at half-past nine to 

 the Mer de Glace. We were furnished with excel- 

 lent mules, spiked poles, and three guides viz. Michel 

 Cachet, surnamed " Le G&int " from having spent seven- 

 teen days with Saussure on 1 1 1< 1 1 mendous ridge of the Col 

 de G&int, where more than 10,000 feet above the sea he 

 made a long series of experiments. He ascended Mont 

 Blanc with Saussure three times since. The second guide 



