96 KINCHINJUNGA 



are always working upward and converging towards 

 some lofty but distinct, defined summit. This also 

 do we feel, as we look upon the view, that with all 

 the bigness and massiveness and loftiness there is 

 the very finest tenderness as well — such delicacy as 

 we had never before imagined. 



And to anyone who really knows them the 

 littleness of man in comparison with these mighty 

 mountains is not the impression made upon him. 

 He is not overawed and overcome by them. His 

 soul goes out most lovingly to them because they 

 have aroused in him all the greatness in his soul, 

 and purified it — even if only for a time — of all its 

 dross and despicableness. And he loves them for 

 that. He does not go cringing along, feeling him- 

 self a worm in comparison with them. There is 

 warm kinship between him and them. He knows 

 w T hat is in their soul. And they have aroused in 

 his soul exactly what he rejoices in having aroused 

 there, and which but for them might have re- 

 mained for ever unsurmised. So he revels in their 

 Beauty. 



Another aspect in which we may see Kinchin- 

 junga is in its aspect at dawn. It will be still night 

 — a starlit night. The phantom snowy range and 

 the fairy forms of the mountains will be bathed in 

 that delicate yellow light the stars give forth. The 

 far valley depths will be hidden in the sombrest 

 purple. Overhead the sky will be glittering with 

 brilliant gems set in a field of limpid sapphire. The 

 hush of night will be over all — the hush which 

 heralds some great and splendid pageant. 



