xii INTRODUCTION, 



encamp upon this mountain, at gradually increasing heights, with 

 the ultimate aim of reaching the summit. But as there was no cer- 

 tainty that this could be done, and a possibility, at least, that the 

 results of the investigations might be of a negative character, 

 various other objects were kept in view, principal amongst them 

 being the determination of the altitudes and of the relative posi- 

 tions of the chief mountains of Ecuador, the comparison of boiling- 

 point observations and of aneroids against the mercurial barometer, 

 and collecting in Botany and Zoology at great heights. I concerned 

 myself neither with commerce or politics, nor with the natives and 

 their curious ways ; and there are, besides, many interesting topics 

 which might be dwelt upon that find no place in this volume. 

 The Ecuadorian Loan, for example, is a capital subject, and a few 

 pages might well be devoted to a matter in which the public takes 

 so much interest, and from which it derives so little. 



Having only my own very small means to depend upon, my 

 staff was necessarily upon the most modest scale. Three assistants 

 were indispensable, and these I proposed to draw from the mount- 

 ain-guides of Europe. My old guide, Jean-Antoine Carrel, of Val 

 Tournanche,^ accepted my proposals, and two others also agreed 

 to go but withdrew from their engagements shortly before the date 

 for departure, and placed me in a great difficulty. After vainly 

 endeavouring to obtain the services of some of the best-known men, 

 I was obliged to instruct Carrel to bring any one he could. His 

 cousin Louis (with whom I was already acquainted) came, but no 

 one else could be procured at so short notice, and a third man had 

 to be picked up in Ecuador, and proved, naturally, of no service 

 when a knowledge of mountain-craft was wanted. 



It was not advisable to attempt to travel in Ecuador without 

 recognition, and I sought the good offices of the then President of 

 the Alpine Club in this matter. I cannot acknowledge too warmly 

 the cordial co-operation of Mr. Charles Edward Mathews, and the 



I For the antecedents of J. -A. Carrel, see Scrambles amongst the Alps, J. Murray, 

 1871. 



