256 | FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839, 
At the Jungfrau hotel, a mere chalet on the side 
of the Wengern Alp, we were close under that mag- 
nificent mountain, separated only by a narrow gorge, 
and elevated just enough to have the most perfect 
view from base to summit. We had heard the day 
previous the crash and roar of falling avalanches on 
the other side of the Wetterhorn, and I was very 
anxious to see one; before long I saw two, one of 
them a pretty good one, come tumbling and roaring 
down the Jungfrau. Soon a thick cloud came and 
enveloped these mountains, so that I departed earlier 
than I should have done; it threatened to rain; and 
we descended into the valley of Lauterbrunnen, which 
is very deep and narrow, and had on the way a fine 
view of the valley and the mountains and glaciers that 
close its upper extremity. Saw the celebrated fall of 
the Staubbach, and was disappointed in it. 
Walked rapidly down the valley of 
to the lake of Brienz, turning aside so as not to pass 
through Interlaken, which - a little British colony ; 
took a boat to the opposite end of the lake (eight 
miles); had a heavy shower and much wind ; saw the 
falls of Giessbach from the lake, seven very fine cas- 
cades one above the other. Landed at Brienz; took 
a char up to Meyringen again, looking at the beauti- 
ful waterfalls from each side of the valley, now very 
full from the rains. Arrived at my own lodgings at 
five o’clock, having accomplished in the twelve hours 
fifty miles, of which thirty-two were traveled on 
oot. 
Saturday, 29th, rose in good condition, breakfasted, 
and parted with my thoroughly Swiss landlady at five 
o'clock ; went up the vale of Hassli, one of the finest 
in Switzerland, for the Grimsel, perhaps the wildest 
