ix.] ALPIXE TRAVELS, 1842. 281 



To E. C. BATTEN, ESQ. 



1 COURMAYEUB, July 2lst. 



'. . . . I have been hanging off and on for some 

 days, waiting for fine weather, with the intention of 

 crossing the Col du Geant to Chamounix, and I meant 

 to have written fruin the other side. Of my movements, 

 I have only to say that, with the exeeption of some 

 patience required in the matter of weather, my summer 

 life goes on admirably. I soon expect a visit from 

 M. Studer, at the Montanvert, where I propose to remain 

 until about the 12th of August, and then to take a 

 journey to Monte Rosa and its neighbouring glaciers, 

 returning once more to Chamounix in September. As 

 1 \vrtc to you before, the precision of my observations 

 on the motion of glaciers, gives me great hopes of con- 

 structing a sound mechanical theory, the bases of which 

 must be accurate numerical measurements, and not 

 r/ priori speculations about this or that structure of the 

 ice producing such and such consequences. Far from 

 such line and plummet investigations diminishing my 

 picturesque admiration of these mountain masses, I find 

 that each day brings with it a fresh sense of wonder, not 

 unmixed with awe, at the unknown fundamental laws 

 of the mighty movements of their glaciers, from a real 

 knowledge of which, I seem as far removed as ever. . . .' 



On the :2:*rd of July, Forbes returned to ( liamonnix 

 by tin- <'<>1 <lu (leant, a route which pnss -s>ed, at that 

 time, an interest an interest above all to him person- 

 ally, which made this one of his golden days. It is now, 

 literally a.> regards the south side, a beaten path, while 



the deecent or the Glacier du (leant on die northern side 



has been for some five-and-t went y years 'slowly broad- 

 ening down from precedent to precedent/ until among 

 tin- series of alternative routes which can be <!) 

 according as the w.v.ther or the condition of the -lacier 

 renders ach \ now little Invitation, and no 



delay. In 1^-l-J it was otherwise. Although at that 

 time iiMre than half a century had elaj.-cd since I e 



