374 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



appear to me to be the peculiar sources of enjoyment of 

 pedestrian travel. I find in the pages of your letters 

 always so lively and so admirably expressed an echo 

 of what 1 have myself thought and felt. I seem to live 

 over again years long past, and to become young and 

 robust in the vivid participation which I have in your 

 adventures and successes. But let me add that it is not 

 in these last alone that I feel a deep sympathy ; it is even 

 more in that quiet tone of reverential admiration of Alpine 

 scenery to which your letters so perfectly, but unobtru- 

 sively bear witness. Your last arrived at a moment of 

 some anxiety and fatigue ; Mrs. Forbes being rather seri- 

 ously unwell. She is now almost well again, and I myself 

 am in fair health, quite as good, when I avoid all fatigue 

 and excitement, as I have enjoyed since 1851 : I am giving 

 my usual course of lectures. Since Christmas I have not 

 been quite so strong. . . . First of Balmat. If he is with 

 you, pray give him my affectionate remembrances and 

 sincere good wishes. ... It would give me true pleasure 

 to see the worthy man once more, and great pleasure to 

 receive him in my native town ; but it would be selfish 

 in me to urge so long an additional journey when I con- 

 sider how little 1 can do in my present state of health, 

 and with my present engagements, to make his stay 

 agreeable, or to provide him with society and occupation. 

 Being the middle of our long term, it frequently happens 

 that I spend my whole available strength in lecturing, 

 and can neither walk nor talk at any length afterwards. 

 Balmat, were he here, would necessarily be thrown on his 

 own resources during the day, but could always spend 

 the evenings with us, as I never go out then. This is all 

 that 1 could fairly propose to him. . . . Once I seriously 

 blamed you. Your going alone to the Petit Rognon was, 

 I think, not justifiable. I have stated my fixed opinion 

 on the subject in the Quarterly : though, of course, it 

 gives me a high opinion of your appreciation of solitary 

 grandeur, which I do most fully share : still it may be too 

 dearly bought, as a mere luxury of feeling. 



' I am almost ashamed to offer you my old hammer, for 



