274 THE LIFE OF JAMES 1). FORBES. [CHAP. 



dated August 30th, 1792 ; essays historical and political ; 

 romances, one on an English subject, the Earl of Essex ; 

 letters on Corsica ; a private diary, containing a curious 

 hint of an intention to commit suicide at the age of 1 7 ! 

 last, not least however, there was a geographical note- 

 book, the last words of which, from their extraordinary 

 coincidence with his future fate, it was actually startling 

 to read in Napoleon's boyish hand. It concludes in the 

 middle of a page with this fragment of an unfinished 

 sentence : " St. Helene. Petite Isle." Surely this beats 

 romance ! ' 



Travelling by Besan9on and Pontarlier, he found time 

 to visit M. Studer, at Berne, and M. Charpentier, at Bex, 

 where he was both surprised and delighted by ' The 

 blocks of Monthey,' a series of remarkable boulders trans- 

 ported thither by glacial action. From Geneva he travelled 

 by diligence to St. Gervais, and next day crossed the Col 

 de Forclaz on foot, carefully noting by the way the dis- 

 tribution of the numerous blocks severally deposited 

 during their ancient extension, by each of the glaciers 

 which descend into the valley of Chamounix. 



Journal, Friday, June 24 th. 



' Arrived at Chamounix at a quarter to twelve. Ee- 

 commended myself to M. Lanvers, the cure', in the name 

 of M. Charpentier, and met with a most kind and friendly 

 reception. He immediately hastened to procure for me 

 a guide who could remain with me at the Montanvert, 

 and, having found one, he obtained permission for him 

 to accompany me out of his turn. His name was 

 Auguste Balmat, and the same night we slept at the 

 Montanvert/ 



To Miss FORBES. 



* MONTANVERT, Sunday, June 26/A. 



' . . . I have been fortunate enough to make the ac- 

 quaintance of the Cure of Chamounix, and he has recom- 

 mended a guide to me, who really promises to turn out 



