The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-27
Mountains,

/ Edmund and Gilbert had been at the to,
OF the Malvern Hills, but, not wishing /,
interrupt the narrative, they remained 81
lent till Mr. Lovel spoke to them. "Surel,
you have not forgotten Malvern Hills p
said he. "Do you not remember rolling
down stones towards gentleman, whom
you took for your father9"
90 yes" said Edmund, ssI remember
that very well indeed we felt ashamed OF
ourselves when we discovered our mis-
/ take"
"And | remember" added Gilbert, swhat
the donkey driver told US at the top Of the
hill. She said that some persons, who
we're once there on party Of pleasure du-
ring storm, took shelter in the very hu,
where we then stood and that a flash OF
lightning struck one of them, a young lady,
dead on the spot"
s'That was an awful event." said Mr..
LoveI, and we may learn from it that an
hour of pleasure may be an hour OF peril.
Truly 'our days upon earth are shadow"
When on the top of Malvern Hills, no
doubt you thought yourselves very high;
but if you could pile eight Malvern Hills,
one upon another, they would not be SO
high as the Peak Of Teneriffe, 10 Africa.
This peak is II 1853 feet in height, and Al
las is 12,5O0.
Gilbert. There. is mountain for you
Leonard. It must be up above the clouds.
Traveller G-esh, the highest known
mountain in Africa, is more than $4,000
feet above the sea; and Mont Blanc, the
highest in Europe, is still more lofty. The
tops Of lhese stupendous masses are always
covered with snow; for it has been disco
vered that snow will no, melt, even in hot
climates when il is more than $4,000 feet
above the level of the sea.
\ Leonard. Mont Blanc why that is the
very mountain which is on the corner of
my copy book. tits surrounded with other
high hills, but it lifts up its head above
the all
Traveller. Mont Blanc is one Of the
Alps; and, no doubt, you have heard how
The chamois, or mountain goat, is hunted
on the Alps.
ssPlease TO tell me about the chamos y
said little Leonard. eyes, do let us hear
all about it - cried Edmund and Gilbert.
"The chamois," said the traveller, ssinha-
bits the most inaccessible parts of the
woody regions OF the great mountains OF
Europe, and is remarkable for its dexterity
in climbing and leaping from one rock
to another. 1t will throw itself learlessly'
from height Of twenty yards, and aiight
on the ledge of a rock where there is scarce
ly room for it TO stand. This extraordna
ry power renders it very difficult to be
caught, as the mountains it frequents art
rugged and slippery, being partly covered
with frozen ice and snow"
1But when it takes such dangerous
leaps" asked Glbelt, ssdo the hunters
jump after it; why it must be enough t.,
break their necks ~
"It is very dangerous occupation to
hunt the chanois," replied the traveller ,
s bu, will describe it more particularly
| cannot depict mountainous scenery with ,
out being taken back in my imagination t.,
The sublime scenes which have W messed !,
| E'en now, where alpine solitude ascends,
sit me down pensive hour to spend;
And PLACID on high above the storms career,
Look downwards where hundred realms appear
The chamois hunter sets out upon hri
expedition generally in the night, IN orde
that he may get above the plans y here tn,
chamois comes to feed at break of day ,
| The hunter is armed with double barreled
rifle gun, wherewlth to shoot the chamois
and knife to strip off his skin. He car
ries long pole to enable him to leap from
rock TO rock, TO climb the rugged eminences
and TO throw himself across the chasms h.
may meet with. He has telescope to dis
cover his game; halchet to cut steps il
the icy rocks; a cord for various purposes
wallet with his hard cheese and barley
bread for food; and flask of spirits Thu
provided, he sets out on his hazardous en-
terprl>e, with pair Of shoes on his feet
the soles Of which are stuck all over will
sharp spikes, to prevent him from slipping
"The hunter seems to forget nothing Ina
he is likely 10 want" said Gilbert. If b
were 10 forget any thing" replied the ira
weller, "il might cost him his life. As soo
as is light, he looks all round him, thu ougI
his telescope, and when he discovers 4;
chamois he immediately begins his pursuit
Winding round the rocks, he contrives Il
seal within gunshot Of his game, bidin
himself behind the projecting parts Of Ii,
mountain; then resting his piece on tn
rock, he discharges it at the unsuspectin;
chamois, and is seldom known to miss hi