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had I fat upon a horfe to climb fo fteep a 

 mountain. In the Alps of Switzerland, and 

 of Savoy, It is not unufual to ride fmall 

 horfes, called Mountain Ponies, over the lef- 

 fer hills ; but previous to afcending the more 

 lofty and fteeper mountains thefe are always 

 changed for mules ; and with them I have 

 often ventured up afcents even more nearly 

 perpendicular than Hackleton's Cliff. But 

 the mule is a more quiet, a more enduring, 

 and more patient animal. He is not irafcible 

 and impetuous like the horfe, and moreover. 

 In fuch fituations he Is fo accuftomed to the 

 climbing of mountains, that he appears fen- 

 fible of all the dangers around him, and Is 

 careful In every movement, to confult the 

 fafety of himfelf and his rider. Only give 

 him the bridle, or as the guides fay, " laijfe^ 

 lui alkr^'* and in the mod perilous fituations 

 you need not feel yourfelf in any danger. His 

 fagacity Is equal to his care : he looks with 

 caution at each ftepping, and he knows his 

 foot to be fecure, before he ventures to 

 bear upon it the weight of his body. I re- 

 member to have rode at firft, in much fear 

 and trembling ; but upon v\ritneffing the dex- 

 terity of the animal my terrors gave way to 



