The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-18
Summer Tour in Europe.
GENEVA, Switzcrland. July

count OF our travels has not been lorgot-
ten, but it is more difficult TO find time
for letter-writing in the hurry and IA
tigue Of journey, than [ had supposed.
/ have made some notes of tour through
France, Italy and Switzerland, which I
may at some convenient time expand into
one or two letters. Shall l now give you
a brief account of our late visit to Mont
Blanc? No traveller has discharged his
duty to himself and the public until be
has paid visit to this King of the Alps.
His lofty summit, yelled in mantle Of
snow we had seen at 4 distance, but we
desired to utand in bis more immediate
presence.
The distance from Geneva, through Sa-
voy to Cbamouny, the village at the base
of the mountain, is ffty-four miles. We
commenced our pilgrimage early Gu the
6rat day of July, and had a delightful
drive through the rich and highly culti-
waited valley of the Arye, thirty-six miles,
aud then exchanged our spacious carriage
for Char, much smaller and lighter
vehicle, better adapted to the steep and
narrow mountain road. A hard ride of
fourteen hours from Geneva brought us
to the end of our journey, and though.
nine o'clock, twilight yet fingered We
could clearly discover the beams Of de-
parting day sporting around the mountain
heights. In less than seven hours after.
the rays of the rising aun were playing
around the same lofty eminence, full two
hours before the residents Of the village
enjoyed the warmth of his rays.-To as.
eend to the summit of Mont Blanc is at
tended with great toll, expense and dam
ger, and but few are presumptuous enough
to attempt it. To obtain clearer view
Of the Alpine heights, from favorable po-
sitons around, and to visit certain re-
markabe localities in these regions Of per-
petual snow, is all that prudent and un-
ambitious travellers attempt One Of the
most striking objects that claims attention
is the Mer de Giace," (Sea of lee
about three miles from Chumouny. No
carriage can approach these rugged cliffs.
At seven o'clock, on the morning OF the
Hrst of July, We mounted our mules, ami
under the direction Of faithful guides be-
gan the steep ascent towards the frozen
sea, Our course was zig-zag, right and
left, and left and right, now on the verge
of frightful preciqice, and now through
forests Of pines and cedaIs; at one mo-
ment crossing the dry channel of winter
avalanche, the next moment hanging upon
the skirt Of precipitous cliG, where per-
haps our life dependei upon the cautious
step of the mule, and the timely aid Of
the guide A glance through the opening
forest at the valley you have left far be-
low, shows how great is the height thu.
you have attained, But the mirthful com.
ments of the company at each others cx-
pense, at this first experience at mountain
mule-riding, served to beguile the time,
aud we reached the Inn on the summit in
two-aud-a.half hours.
The lfer de Giace is collection Of
immense glaciers, which rush down from
the sides of the mountains and fill the ex-
tensive valleys below. From high banI;
we look down upon this frozen mass and
wonder and admire. Mary travellers are
satisfied with this exciting prospect, and
after giving full expression TO their admi-
ration, remount their mules and descend
by the same path. We determined to
cross the sea and pass down on the other
side, to which our mules were sent by way
Of the valley. Now we stand upon the
ice, each one furnished with a strong staff
six feet long, armed at one end with a
stout sharp spike, tc steady our slipping
steps. But how shall l describe the scene
beneath and around us? There is but one
thing, and that an imaginary picture, tC
which l can compare it. Suppose th'
ocean driven into fierce agitation by vi
olent storm, which raises the waves mas;
high aud lashes the waters into perfec
foam, and just in that state the whole il
instantly CONCEALED into solid mass
Such was the appearance as we stood up
on the white, frozen surface. 1t is fifty
four miles in length, and from one to 6v,
in breadth, and in particular places, is b,
measurement down the crevices, fhyo
s hundred feet deep. 1t is a work Of n,
), little difficulty, and not wholly uuattende,
: with danger, to pass over this solid ocea
1t from shore to shore. The slippery, III
= even surface is not the only obstacl,
d There are many frightful openings in tt