35^ 



aftonifhrnent ; and my aftonlftiment gradually 

 yielded to a placid fecurity, until, at length, 

 I could throw the rein upon the neck of the 

 mule, and regard the frightful precipices, and 

 imminent dangers around us, without any 

 apprehenfion* 



In the Alps a mule will carry you up 

 mountains which are fo fteep as to appear 

 from the valley quite perpendicular, pro- 

 ceeding by a narrow path, in which he cannot 

 poflibly turn himfelf round, and paffing clofe 

 by the edge of the moft terrific precipices, 

 climbing only by means of irregular holes 

 made among the roots of trees, -or ftep- 

 pings roughly broken in the rock ; yet have 

 you only to give him the bridle and fit ftill, 

 holding by the mane to keep yourfelf from 

 flipping back, and you are in the utmoft^ 

 fafety. 



But I muft return from the Alps, and 

 tell you that in confequence of our feafting 

 delay at the Bay-houfe, and the time re- 

 quired to afcend the cliff, we found the even- 

 ing ftealing upon us before we came to the 

 top. The fun had already funk ~ too low, to^ 



