ASCENT OF MOST BLAXC. 59 



me some pain where the sun had caught it, otherwise 

 I was perfectly well sufficiently so, indeed, to get up 

 tolerably early the next day and accompany a friend 

 on foot to Montanvert In the evening we gave the 

 guides a supper in the hotel garden. I had the honour 

 of presiding ; and what with toasts, and speeches, and 

 songs, excellent fare, and a warm-hearted company, 

 the moon was once more on the summit of Mont Blanc 

 before we parted. I know it will be some time before 

 the remembrance of that happy evening passes away 

 from those between whom and ourselves such an 

 honest friendship had grown up as only fellow- 

 labouring in difficulty and danger can establish. 



The undertaking so long anticipated is all over, 

 and I am sitting in a little top bedroom of the Cou- 

 ronne at Geneva, and settling the expenses with 

 Jean Tairraz. The sunset, the glaciers, and the 

 Mur de la Cote have come down to a matter of 

 " little bills/' He first gives me the hotel account 

 after the ascent. It is as follows : 



XOTE Xo. 2. 



Francs. Cents. 



103 bottles lost, 50 



18 breakfasts to guides, ... 22 50 

 18 suppers to do., ... 36 

 6 bottles London porter, . . . 18 



126 50 



