VIIL] TRAVELS, 1839. 249 



lately melted ; so that a course of loose sliding stones 

 which succeeded was a positive relief. From a point a 

 little to the right of the Col, we had a most magnificent 

 view of Monte Viso and its surrounding chains, together 

 with the Alps of Dauphin . The descent to St. Veran 

 is steep but not difficult, and on the way I observed the 

 height of the highest level at which I found corn grown 

 in that valley. The village of St. Veran lies at a 

 height of 6,591 feet above the sea. Barley and rye are 

 here cultivated up to 7,000 feet. The appearance of the 

 village of St. Veran the highest in Europe, except that 

 of Soglio in the Tyrol is most singular : it is a mass of 

 wooden spars, more like ships' masts and rigging than 

 dwelling-houses, the latter being built of logs, with ex- 

 tensive verandahs on one or more sides, filled with spars 

 for the purpose of exposing to the sun their ill-ripened 

 harvest, which is sown in July, and reaped, ripe or not, 

 in August of the ensuing year, when it is hung up to dry 

 or ripen as it can. . . . 



' The only bed at the inn had so disgusted me that, at 

 the risk of hurting the feelings of the inmates, I went off 

 to the Cure and begged a lodging a request which he 

 courteously and promptly granted. He was somewhat of 

 a man of the world, and expressed his anxiety to be usrlul 

 to mankind in general, and to me in particular a feeling 

 for which his order does not often get credit, and for the 

 absence of which they are sometimes unjustly abused. 

 He had a good house, the only stone-built struct mv 

 in the village except the church, and he treated me very 

 hospitably. . . . 



4 Next day I had a charming walk to Abrics, where I 

 presented my circular IrtUT from the Directeur des Dou- 

 anes at Paris, to the captain in command here, who im- 

 mediately sent me one of his men as a guide for the Col 

 Viso ; and having made all necessary preparations, we 

 about five for the chalets of La Tronchet, where 

 I li i to pass the ui^lil. Tin* walk \\ 



itituKaixl en arriving at our destination we proceeded 

 >"k our tea in a saucepan, ami tli.ji ivtin-.l to 



