ASCENT OF MONT BLANC. 89 



disengagement of avalanches of freshly fallen snow. 3. 

 The precipitation of avalanches of snow and ice. 4. The 

 loss of foothold and a fatal glissade. 5. The treachery 

 of snow-bridges over crevasses. 



This catalogue is too long to be very comforting, but 

 I think it may be safely asserted that the Chamonix guides, 

 if well selected, and allowed to exercise their own judg- 

 ment, will not lead the voyager into any very extraordi- 

 nary dangers. They are generally an intelligent, truthful 

 and honest class of men. Their services are regulated by 

 a system of public ordinances, and only guides of knowl- 

 edge and experience are permitted to conduct parties to 

 the summit of Mont Blanc. 



We complete now our last ascent, and enjoy the fruits 

 of the labors and dangers of the past two days. I do not 

 like to affirm an exact equation between the fruits and the 

 labors. It is true that we can turn about and look down 

 on the clouds which hover over Chamonix, and toss our 

 heads in disdain over the summit of the terrible Mont 

 Maudit. It is true that we can turn upon the heel and 

 see below us the summits of the Aiguille du Geant and 

 the Grandes Jorasses, and look down in the dish-shaped 

 ice-field which forms the great Glacier de Talefre, with 

 the Jardin blooming in its midst. It is true that we can 

 discern in the dim distance the conical form of the grim 

 and solitary Matterhorn, and the frosted heads which 

 look up to it from the neighborhood. It is true that we 

 can turn still farther on our heel and see the fleecy backs 

 of clouds which float over the glacier of Ruitoi-s and the 

 valley of Aosta, on the Italian side of the Great St. Ber- 

 nard. But in all truth and candor it must be admitted 

 that the realization is not commensurate with the antici- 



