184 An Excursion on Etna. 
the beautiful zone of the trees, especially as succeeding them 
was a very long and tedious ride along the descent of the old 
lavas before named, before we could reach the village of Nicolosi. 
It was excessively hot, mules and men were all thoroughly fag- 
ged, and I noticed as we rode along that our guide slept quite 
continuously on his mule. For myself I had not the least feeling 
of sleepiness. It was 93 a.m. before we reached the hotel, quite 
to the surprtse of all, who were not looking for us until eleven 
o’clock. They were all amazed to hear of the wind we had ex- 
spirit of adventure alone is sufficient to satisfy most people who 
have confined their mountain rambles to the day. The snow also 
in its extent and massiveness entirely exceeded any expectations 
I had formed of it; and, above all, the Val del Bove, had we seen 
nothing else, would have rewarded us for the labor we had under- 
gone. [tis not merely for a sight of the rising sun that it is worth 
while to ascend in the night. The distance is such that the time 
consumed is necessarily from twelve to fifteen hours, and to 
all this under a bright sun is a great exposure of health. It is far 
safer to descend from the climate of mid-winter to summer, than 
heated and moist with perspiration to plunge from summer Ito 
winter. The effect of a full sun also on the snow as reflect 
In the eyes is too much for the unprotected vision with the 
brilliant splendor of an Italian atmosphere. I think it then 
the cone is estimated by the oui : fogpers 
Gemmellaro thinks it day a at twenty-four miles, 
Nicolosi, May 80th, 1851. 
ne A ey ee 
