ix.] 4LPINE TRAVELS, 1842. 283 



the most magnificent and certainly the clearest panorama 

 I have ever witnessed, extending from Monte Rosa to 

 the Alps, above Grenoble. Mont Blanc lies very near, 

 and apparently not at all at a great height above, while 

 inwards the north stretch away the vast ice-fields which 

 it took us the greater part of the day to descend. We 

 reached a part of the glacier so excessively crevassed 

 from side to side, and bounded by precipitous rocks, that 

 it seemed impossible to pass. We were actually foiled 

 in several attempts, and had to retrace our steps, which 

 we took care always to make in such a way as to allow 

 an escape backwards. At last by the perseverance and 

 address of Joseph Couttet, my Chamounix guide (for I 

 had one from each side of the pass), we gradually extri- 

 cated ourselves, and arrived in the well-known latitudes 

 of the Mer de Glace, which I had often traversed. We 

 reached the Mon tan vert at 4 P.M., where I once more 

 took possession of my little chamber, and all my proper- 

 ties were at once established in their old places. 



'Next day was fine, but I was obliged to confine 

 myself on account of my eyes, which threatened inflam- 

 mation, for we had passed all the hottest hours exposed 

 to the insupportable glare of very fresh and highly- 

 crystallized snow. I have changed the skin of my face 

 completely since, and the guides suffered still more, 

 but the whole journey was so interesting and beau- 

 tiful, and we were so favoured by weather, that I 

 never felt so little fatigued by so long a walk, and next 

 morning was as fresh as a lark, excepting only my eyes. 

 I attrilmte tins in a great measure to my having drunk 

 nothing Imt cold tea by the way. whilst my gaioes, who 

 drank brandy, were tormented by a raging thirst ; sin<-e 

 then I have not been aide to work much, owing to very 

 ugeable weather, but still I have made some progress 

 with my investigations. To-day, having come down to 

 umunix on account of the weather. I have the pl.-a- 

 of a visit fmm M. Studer, of Kerne, who h;i. mine 

 to see me, and with whnm I may perhaps ti 

 i- in the season. 1 h.iv U. n fortunate in my ft 



