REVIEWS. 
97 
Mr. Ormsby, in giving an idea of his ascent of the Grivola, a somewhat 
dangerous and difficult mountain, entirely disclaims the smallest object, 
whether scientific or other, beyond the mere gratification of a whim. In 
his narrative, also, he exhibits great indifference to the ordinary forms of 
language ; and equal love of, and a familiarity with, slang, both in words 
and style. As a background or relief to a flat picture this may be a sad 
necessity ; but it is to be hoped that in future volumes the pictures may 
not require this mode of heightening their effect. 
Among the more interesting of the groups of travels in the two volumes 
before us are those which introduce the mountains of Dauphine to the 
reader. But these mountains have all been visited, and the most im- 
portant facts concerning them have been stated by Professor J. Forbes. 
Elie de Beaumont, also, has done important work in the district. No 
doubt there is still much left for the explorer to do, and the district seems 
well fitted as a scene of trial for the tyro in Alpine work. Another inte- 
resting group of mountains recently explored is the group of the Graian 
Alps and the Mont Iseran, which latter is declared to be a mule-track, and 
not a mountain. 
It is impossible, in the course of a few pages, to give any readable 
notice of the large number of separate narratives collected in these two 
volumes. Many of them are uninteresting, and most of them are wanting 
I in telling description. We started at daybreak — we traversed snow and 
ice, rock and water — we climbed here — we slid down there — we had our 
luncheon and enjoyed our champagne — our guide did know his way — we 
ran great risk, but at last we reached the point to which we were bound, 
and, then — why, then, we got back again, had a good supper, and slept 
the sleep that the just are reported to enjoy, but that men thoroughly" 
exhausted, whether just or unjust, are almost sure to fall into. Such, 
with a few details of heights and distances, an occasional correction of 
what the last describer did and said, a little self-glorification, and much 
praise of faithful guides, is, in a few words, the sum and substance of all 
these narratives. 
And yet, no doubt, any one such narrative, if read by itself and if 
written naturally, without a manifest intention to astonish and delight the 
reader, w r ould be very pleasant and very suggestive, especially to those 
who have themselves travelled, and have visited more or less of the scenes 
described. Such an account is that of Mr. Forster, who crossed from the 
Griitli to the Grimsel, by that most charming of all Swiss valleys, the 
Valley of Engelberg. We will endeavour to give our readers who have 
not crossed from the head of the Lake Lucerne to the Uri Alps some idea 
of what awaits them, if they will undertake the labour and risk incident 
to this piece of mountain travel. It is a work not beyond the powers 
of any hardy, healthy man, and will amply repay the exertion. 
To Lucerne by rail, and to the “ Griitli” or “ Meadow” by steamer, is an 
affair of hours easily measured and easily performed. The Griitli is, in 
fact, that meadow, dear to the imagination of all Swiss patriots, where the 
three great founders of Swiss liberty met to swear that they would rescue 
their native land from foreign thraldrom. It has recently been purchased 
by subscription and laid out under the auspices of Government. It is 
VOL. II.— NO. V. H 
