72 The Alps in June. 



education had penetrated into the mountains, was 

 not likely to have much chance of developing his 

 native intelligence ; but I have never yet found 

 his equal among the younger generation of guides, 

 either in variety of knowledge, or in brightness of 

 mental faculty. He taught himself to read and 

 write, and picked up knowledge wherever he 

 found a chance. When his term of military 

 service was over, he took to the congenial life of 

 a guide and " jiiger," in close fellowship with his 

 first cousin and namesake, the famous Melchior, 

 the prince of guides. But a long illness, which 

 sent him for many months to the waters of Leu- 

 kerbad, incapacitated him for severe climbing, 

 and at the same time gave him leisure for think- 

 ing and observing : Melchior outstripped him as 

 a guide, and their companionship, always con- 

 genial to both as men possessed of lively minds 

 as well as muscular bodies, has long been limited 

 to an occasional chat over a pipe in winter-time. 



But he remained an ardent hunter, and has 

 always been an excellent shot : and it was in this 

 capacity, I believe, that he first became useful to 

 the Professor Fatio whom I mentioned just now. 



