Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-02-26
MONT BLANC.
FROM BIAcKwooD's EpINBURou MAGAZINE.
{ Continually

(Continued.)
The sun went down magnihcently, and every
thing promised a glorious day on the morrow.
II collected all my requisites. Our host lent me
IA pair of high CATERS, and Madame Tairraz gave
me fine pair Of scarlet garters to tie them up
with. | also bought a green veil, and Jean
brought me a pair Of blue spectacles. In my
knapsack put other shoes, socks, and trousers,
and an extra shirt; and got new spike driven
into my baton, for the glacier. l was still far
from well, but the excitement pulled me through
all discomfort. did not sleep at all that night
from anxiety as to the success Of the underta-
king: knew all the danger; and when made
a little parcel Of my money, and the few things
| had in my exit and told the friend who had
come with me from London to take them home
if did not return am afraid my attempt to be
careless about the matter was failure. had
set small internal machine, that made hideous
noise at appointed hours, to go off at six; but |
believe heard every click it gave all through
the night; and forestalled its office in the morn
ing by getting out of bed myself at sunrise and
stopping it, We met at seven o'clock on the
morning of Tuesday, the l2th to breakfast
All our guides and porters had feast in the gar
den, and were in high spirits for the glass had
gone up half an inch, and not a cloud was to be
seen in the sky. Nothing could exceed the bus
tie of the inn-yard; everybody had collected to
see the start: the men were dividing and por-
tioning the fowls, and bottles Of wine, and rugs,
and wrappers; something was constantly being
forgotten, and nobody could find whatever was
of most Importance to them; and the good-tem-
Q pered cook another Tairraz kept coming forth
from the kitchen with so many additional viand'
= that began TO wonder when our stores woulC
0 be completed.
AhnIIt hal mast sa,,a, ,a Start od. onJ os VIZ
d left the inn, and traversed the narrow ILL., paved
streets of Chamouni towards the bridge, believe
S we formed the largest caravan that had ever
= gone off together. Each of us had four guides
o making twenty in all and the porters and vol
f; Iunteers may reckon at another score; beside
d which, there was rabble rout of friends, andre
ations, and Sweethearts, and boys, some Of WHOM
ID came considerable distance with us. had
ct mule waiting for me at the bridle-road that run
a. Through the fields towards the dirty little yillag
te of Les Pelerins-for wished to keep mysel
i as fresh as could for the real worn. do no
think gained anything by this, for the brut
was exceedingly troublesome to manage up tn
rude steep path and amongst the trees. expec
my active young companions had the best of
le OH their own good legs. Dressed at present
ID iin hsht boating aitiTe they were types Of fs!
Id lows in iirst-rate fbrous muscular condition; an
~ l.heH sunny goou temper never once clouio
ad during the journey, made everything bright an
SIS cheering.
n, The first two hours Of the ascent presente
en- no remarkable features, either Of difficulty Q
e. prospect. The path was very steep and rugge'
it. through stunted copse Of pines and shrubs, b'
er tween which we saw on our right The glstenin
sr, icetowers of the lower part OF the Glacier de
IN. Blossoms. On our left was the ravine, alon
of (which the torrent courses to form the Cascat
ill des Pelerins, The two nice girls who keep Il
VI little reireshment chalet at the waterfall con
yer across the wood to wish us God speed. Jdl
ma, Favret, the prettier of the two, was said TO
ant engaged TO our guide Jean Carrier--a splend
in Young fellow---so they fingered behind our ca
Oas isvan some little timej and when Jean reioin