310 
LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES* 
u bays. Beds of snow and ice filling extensive hollows, 
“ and giving an enamelled coat to adjoining valleys, 
u one of which commencing at the foot of the mountain 
u where we stood extended in a continued line towards 
u the north, as far as the eye could reach—mountain 
“ rising above mountain, until by distance they 
“ dwindled into insignificancy—the whole contrasted 
“ by a cloudless canopy of deepest azure, and en- 
“ lightened by the rays of a blazing sun, and the effect 
“ aided by a feeling of danger, seated as we were on 
“ the pinnacle of a rock almost surrounded by tre- 
“ mendous precipices,—all united to constitute a picture 
“ singularly sublime. 
“ Our descent we found really a very hazardous, 
“ and in some instances a painful undertaking. Every 
u movement was a work of deliberation. Having by 
a much care, and with some anxiety, made good our 
“ descent to the top of the secondary hills, we took 
“ our way down one of the steepest banks, and slid 
“ forward with great facility in a sitting posture. 
“ Towards the foot of the hill, an expanse of snow 
u stretched across the line of descent. This being loose 
“ and soft, we entered upon it without fear, but on 
