MONT BLANC 199 



that nothing could be a more convincing proof of the difficulties of the 

 enterprise, and consequently its impossibility to those who have not 

 the head or the heels of a good Chamonix guide. For myself, after 

 all I heard from the men who attempted the mountain on that side, 

 I looked on success as absolutely impossible, and this was the opinion 

 of all the wise people of Chamonix.' [Voyages, 1104.] 



It was a case not a rare one in which wisdom was not justi- 

 fied of her children. There was one man at Chamonix who by de 

 Saussure's admission was more eager about the ascent of Mont 

 Blanc than the philosopher himself. The enthusiast Bourrit 

 it is his chief claim to our respect would not accept the verdict 

 impossible. It is, I think, probable that he had some part in 

 instigating the second attempt of the guides. No variety of 

 scientific objects and interests distracted Bourrit 's mind. He had 

 a single aim before him to make himself the Hero of Mont Blanc. 

 In 1780 he had returned from a visit to Paris with a new con- 

 sciousness of his own fame and an added eagerness to extend it. 

 The pension granted to him by the King had relieved him from 

 the money difficulties to which his numerous appeals to de 

 Saussure for help or advances in preceding years bear witness, and 

 had provided him with funds for securing the service of guides. 

 It may, therefore, fairly be put to Louis Seize's credit that he 

 materially assisted in the conquest of Mont Blanc ! Bourrit now 

 brought to bear on the guides the influence of his own eagerness 

 and his belief that success was not unobtainable. Instead of 

 acquiescing in this new repulse he persuaded them to join him 

 in a fresh attack by the same route before the autumn snows 

 made it too late. He even disregarded a friendly warning which 

 the event fully justified. De Saussure wrote : 



' August 23, 1783. 



' I wish you, Monsieur, every success in your hazardous under- 

 taking, and I wish it more than I anticipate it. ... I thank you 

 heartily for your offer to return [to Mont Blanc] with me, but I do not 

 expect to take advantage of it. I certainly shall do nothing to dis- 

 courage you in this enterprise : since I gather that you have decided 

 and made preparations for it, it would be useless trouble. I cannot, 

 however, refrain from telling you that I do not think you have the 

 necessary health or strength, and I fear lest the attempt, even if it is 

 as fortunate as you hope it may be, may leave you with reason for 

 long regrets.' 



