The Portland daily press., 1878-11-19
A Visit IN Uhamauni

This was the subject of the second in the
series OF lectures at the First Baptist church
last evening; and the lecturer, Rev. Mr.. Tilden
Of Augusta, gave his hearers treat that most
amply repaid them for coming out in the storm.
Indeed, it has not been our good fortune for a
long time to listen to more interesting sketch
of travel than this story of visit to the famous
vale Of Chamouni.
Chsmouni is little village in the valley of
the Arve, at the foot of Mount Blanc, about
ffty-hve miles from Geneva, and is now under
the rule of France. The valley of Arve is
hedged in by mountains on each side, some of
whose peaks are covered with snow even
in midsummer. The diligence road to
Chamouni was built by Napoleon III after
Savoy was annexed to France. and is worthy to
be ranked with the famous road over the
Simplon Pass built by Napoleon +. 1t is mag
nificently built, and is kept in perfect repair.
1t passes at times on different sides of the val
ley, sometimes on its general level aud then
on the mountain side above it. crossing and re-
crossing it at all angles. Down this valley
flows the turbulent, muddy Arve, its waters
fed by the glaciers of Mount Blanc. The Gag
cades were numerous and beautiful and oc-
casionally we came to the little villages that
were tucked away under the mountains, or
sometimes placed 10 the centre of the valley
which the mountain heights on either side
made to seem quite narrow, though it was
mile or more wide. Near these villages we
would often see five or six fresh horses, ready
harnessed, which were intended to take the
places of the tired ones that had been drawing
u.s. But at length we reached Cham0uni aud
could gaze upon Mount Blanc. rmust confess
that in this first and closer view there was
feeling of disappointment. But its distance
was greater than it seemed, and we could Judge
very imperfectly of the real size of objects.
But after resting little time, we started off on
little excursion intending to reach glacier
that seemed like strip of snow not far away.
We went, and kept on going; but we did not
reach the glacier, and got back to our village
history of the famous mountain which lowered
up before us. 1t was first assembled by q bold
guide of Chamouni about hundred years ago;
but now it is quite common affair to reach
the summit. The vale of Chamouui, from
which the ascent is generally made. runs near
ly north and south and the village of Chamouni
is near the centre as to its length, and on the
western side. Standing in the centre of the
village and facing eastward, Mount Blanc
range is directly in front of us, with Mount
Blanc proper to the right on the southeastern
front is the larger group of nesdles, and on the
left hand to the northeast is the smaller group
of needles-these needles being rocky pinnacles
shooting far up above the surrounding range.
Chamount is quiet little village, pleasant,
homelike and very still. We did not ascend
the mountain, but contented ourselves with ex
ly to the glaciers which SO deeply interest the
curious and the scientific. In the various ex-
cursiOns, many plants, birds and other objects
reminded the travellers of home.