CHAP. II. HUMBOLDT'S ATTEMPT. 27 



these investigations on account of the apparent facility with 

 which previous travellers had attained great heights upon its 

 slopes. 



I had relied implicitly upon the accounts of Humboldt and 

 Boussingault, and accepted without reserve their statements that 

 they had in 1802 and 1831 respectively reached the heights of 

 19,286 and 19,698 feet. There were matters in their relations 

 that I did not understand ; particularly, the divine speed with 

 which they descended. Yet I was more disposed to imagine that 

 they had incorrectly noted the times which had been occupied 

 than that there was any considerable mistake in the determina- 

 tion of their altitudes ; for both were provided with mercurial 

 barometers, and had had much exj^erience in the use of these 

 instruments in the field. It was natural to conclude that the 

 work must be simple if these travellers, unacquainted with the 

 art of mountaineering, and unprovided with professional assist- 

 ance, could reach so great elevations with such facility, and 

 descend at such a prodigious rate. 



Alexander von Humboldt was in his 33rd year at the time 

 that he made his attempt to ascend Chimborazo. He had 

 enjoyed three years of continuous travel in South America, he 

 was inured to the peculiarities of the climate, and he had the 

 companionship of his friends Bonpland and Carlos Montufar — a 

 son of the Marquis de Selvalegre, one of the most important 

 personages of the district. They were all young men, and, 

 selecting a favourable moment for the enterprize, they made their 

 expedition under advantageous conditions. There are frequent 

 allusions to Chimborazo throughout the works of Humboldt, 

 and he evidently was profoundly impressed by his experiences. 

 Towards the close of his long life, and at an age when men 

 do not speak lightly, he declared that he still considered it was 

 the grandest mountain in the world. 



Notwithstanding the frequent references to this occasion 

 which are made in the works of Humboldt, I am unable to 



