208 LIFE OF HORACE BENEDICT DE SAUSSURE 



and consequently on the level of the Peak of TenerifEe, a height no 

 physical observer had ever obtained on a European mountain. 



' I made several observations of the thermometer, the hygrometer, 

 and the electrometer. I collected some interesting specimens, I ob- 

 served the structure and nature of these elevated crags, and we enjoyed 

 a view of immense extent and beauty, since we looked down on our 

 lake over the high ranges which separated us from it. 



' These enjoyments did not, however, give us pure pleasure : our 

 satisfaction was marred by the regret at not getting higher and by some 

 anxiety as to our return. For, as you know, the descent is much more 

 dangerous than the ascent, and we had passed some pretty bad places 

 on the climb. Still, by proceeding cautiously and by making use of 

 the support of our guides, whose strength and courage were really 

 admirable, we returned safe and sound to our cabin, where I passed 

 another excellent night. 



' But for the new snow we should certainly have got 100 toises 

 higher that is, to the top of the rocks which are called the Aiguille du 

 Goiiter ; but we should have got there after midday, and we should 

 still have had 400 toises on the hard snows it is true, by no means 

 steep, but of great extent. We could not, therefore, have reached the 

 summit of Mont Blanc even if we had met with no further obstacles. 

 Time would have failed us, because it is impossible to pass the night 

 at these heights, or to traverse in the dark any part of the route we 

 had done in the day. 



* To reach this summit, then, it is essential to find some shelter 

 for the night at a higher point than ours, and to select a year when 

 the mountain is entirely stripped of snow [new snow is meant] by the 

 month of July, or at latest by the beginning of August, and even then 

 the enterprise will be pretty dangerous and always infinitely laborious. 



' While climbing with so much fatigue these steep rocks I envied 

 the lot of aeronauts who rise to such great heights comfortably seated 

 in their gondolas, and I even speculated on the possibility of using 

 these aerial cars for attaining inaccessible peaks like Mont Blanc. 

 But I believe it would be very dangerous, since on high mountains 

 one is subject to violent and irregular gusts of wind which might break 

 the machine by driving it against the cliffs, and it would further be 

 needful to have very perfect means of control, in order to reach points 

 so precisely determined.' 



The Prince de Ligne replied : 



1 23rd October 1785. 



' I am greatly interested in Mont Blanc, Monsieur, but not so 

 much as in you ! Your loss would be serious at any time. But 



