The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-09-01
ST AIBANs, vyr, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1865.


fore they cross the sea of ice, peasants
precede them with hatchets and other
toola with which they level dangerous
places, thus guarding against accidents
and co,cads). At certain intervals
men are stationed to indicate the line
of march. Men, women and children
take part in the procession or tete),
which occupies several hours in the
transit. l can fancy the scene, and |
am very certain that, viewed from
Montanvert or either side of the
Mer de Glaze, it would amply repay
one for a delay Of several days to wit
ness it. After the passage is made,
one man, cowherd seen in all the
large pasturages of mountainous
Switzerland and Italy }, becomes guard
ian of the herd He carries with him
bread and cheese sufficient to last him
one month, at the expiration of which,
fresh supply is taken TO hira by those
who own the heifers.
He is also allowed one COW which
furnishes him with milk. Knitting is
his chief employment, and for three
long months he takes charge of his
troublesome herd, knits stockings and
contemplates nature from a very high
stand point You may depend l
heard with sincere regret the word
which comes informing us that our
pack of mules was ready for the jour
ney to Martigny, distant n miles,
mule-back, on foot or by chaise-a-por-
Hr IAN arm chair, carried on poles by
two or more mem, being the only
modes of conveyance; l had great
desire to remain several days longer
at point where so much interest and
enjoyment il concentrated, but our
departure was inevitable in order to
carry out the plan of travel decided
upon. (Let me acknowledge here,
and in parenthesis, that | was very
busy b. three times day when / sat
before the justly celebrated real honey
/ Of Chamouni, the most delectable sweet
/ have tasted since / attended when n
boy, the 'sugaring-of parties in the
maple groves of my native state.
The journey from Chamouni to Mar
tigDy, including stoppage for lunch,
rest and transient lingerings at points
where the scenery is especially fdstin-
dting, usually occupies nine hours; act
done it in eleven, and it done up pref
ty effectually two of our party, Madam
who was compelled to take to the
chaise-d- porter few miles short Of Mar
tigny, and the other Whose modest,
forbids indicatingl endured lifei
stern realities as one who struggles
: against adversely The northern por
ton of the valley of Chamouni is yer,
narrow-barely room, MS genera
thing, for good mule path--from Ell
Their side of which, rise mountains, al
| ternatcly bare or covered with ever
green forests or pasturage, of varie'
form and expression, and from on
| thousand to several thousand feet
= while behind them the bleak, gre
Q forms of the higher ranges rise in fin
t contrast with the softer outlines c
e their less elevated kind.
S Judging by contrast, / should 50.
: that the Aiguille Rouge $50 names
: from the red snow often seen on it
t pinnacles) on the western, and the Al
t guilles d'Argentiere, Chardonnet an
: du Tour on the eastern side of tn
q valley, would range from nine thou
r sand to twelve Thousand feet above tn
o level of the sea. Six miles from Cha
}. mount, the magnificent glacier OF Al
e gentiere is seen streaming down int
the valley between two OF the last men
d toned Aiguilles; duplicate, almost
& in form and size of it's more popula
0 blood-relation, the Mer de Glace. w
II were frequently shown, while in tn
= valley, the paths OF avalanches, tn
g dread and scourge OF the mountai
h peasants. The enormous masses {
d rock which have been deposited i
l. this valley, brought down with th
Y avalanche, indicated the danger whic
II the cottages and chalets incur. s
N stupendously irresistible is the thur
c. der bolt OF snow, at times, that it wi
Le sweep down whole forests OF larg
n trees on the side of the mountai
a where it commences, and, rushin
ID across considerable plain, ascend th
1t opposite slope with such power AZ
it throw down against The mountain, II
k to height of several hundred fee
', every tree in its path Incredible q
a this may appear to you, had not
is take the statement with any grains {
r, allowance, prima facie evidence OF tn
a ayalanches force being seen durin