sviii PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. 



idea of a boy, I realized his presence so fully as to enter 

 tain for him, before our excursions ended, an affection con- 

 sciously warm and real. 



The c Notes ' here referred to were at first intended for 

 the use of my audience alone. At the urgent request of a 

 friend I slightly expanded them, and converted them into the 

 little book here presented to the reader. 



The amount of attention bestowed upon the volume in- 

 duces me to give this brief history of its origin. 



A German critic, whom I have no reason to regard as 

 specially favourable to me or it, makes the following remark 

 on the style of the book : c This passion [for the mountains] 

 tempts him to reveal more of his Alpine wanderings than is 

 necessary for his demonstrations. The reader, however, 

 will not find this a disagreeable interruption of the course 

 of thought ; for the book thereby gains wonderfully in 

 vividness. 5 This, I would say, was the express aim of the 

 breaks referred to. I desired to keep my companion fresh, 

 as well as instructed, and these interruptions were so many 

 breathing-places where the intellectual tension was pur- 

 posely relaxed and the mind of the pupil braced to fresh 

 action. 



Of other criticisms, flattering and otherwise, I forbear to 

 speak, As regards some of them, indeed, it would be a 

 reproach to that manliness which I have sought to encourage 

 m my pupil to return blow for blow. If the reader be 

 acquainted with them, this will let him know how I regard 



