The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-15
THE MONITOR AND THE MEnRrMAc

tcntion. lie was larger than judge Davis Of
1llinos-auite as largo. | think. as the wax llg
ure Of Daniel Lambert that formerly astonshed
visitors to Barnum's old museum at Broadway
and Ann street.
This passenger was 20 big and tho steamer
40 little that whenever no approached tho rail
on either side I trcmbled with apprehension
lest he should upset the craft and plunge MS all
into the lake. For n man OF his great weight
he was uncommonly restless. He moved con-
tnually about the deck. promcnadinR with
nervous tread from bow to stern. picking his
way through and around tho various groups of
passengers and piles Of baggage. exchanging
bows with many persons ON board. but entering
into conversation with nobody This resolute
taciturnity seemed appropriate TO the express
zion OF his face. which wore lock OF unvary-
ing gloom.
In tho course OF n voyage OF several hours
duration had cause once or twice to address
Bomo commonplace remark to my heavy and
melancholy fellow passenger In each instance
he responded politely and in excellent English.
but with the brovity Of n Geographic despatch.
1t was n clear afternoon. and when in our
progress westward Mont Blame camo out into
lull view from behind the nearer mountains.
the rare opal tint on tho peaks was plainly dis
cernblc. The Gcneycsc recognize 1t rs prin-
clple Of etiquette that tho appearance or non
appearance Of Mont Blanc. the atmospheric
conditions surrounding that mountain. and all
topics directly or indirectly relating thereto.
constitute sort OF conversational neutral
ground upon which people may meet and freely
converse without tho formaity Of an introduce
ton. Under any circumstances il is pcrmissl-
bic TO speak Of Mont Blanc. On the raro oc-
casons when tho opal tint appears. social re-
serve entirely disappears. and perfect strangers
talk Familiarity and almost atTcctionately OF the
phenomenon. Therefore. when l turned to my
next ncighbor and expressed my satisfaction
with the spectacle. had every reason to expect
hearty response.
Until after had spoken did not observe TINT
II was the large Swiss gentleman who stood he
side me. His eyes followed mine to the noun
tain. was surprised at the change that came
over him. His heavy features were suddenly
alghi with enthusiasm. No longer coldy re-
pellant. his manner became cordial and COM
municatiyc Beaming upon me with the friend
lest OF smiles AMI slowly raising his ponderous
arm until 1t pointed directly at Mont Blanc he
began 10 speak with the deliberate emphasis
Of one who begins an address OF considerable
length.
Monsieur" saddle II is now thirteen years
since l. accompanied by the guides Johann MIR
Xii. Francois Pierre Croz. Jean Baptiste -"
All ut once the hcavy gentleman's face under
went another sudden transition. His featurcs
an instant before so animated and expressive
settled back into the stony calm that had pre-
viously distinguished them. His eyes were
fixed on the mountain with a iar-away look that
seemed TO 90 beyond II and behind It to some
memory Of appalling portent A slight shivcr
shook his elephantlne frame. Beneath the
doubly and tripy thick layers Of adiposc de-
post a struggle Of some sort was evidently go
Ing on. iancied that heard munled sigh.
Your narrative interests mo exceedingly.
Monsieur" / remarked. 10y way OF encourage
ment. You were saying"
But it was Of no use. He shook his head
mourniully. avoiding my gazo. With bow Of
irreproachahle politeness he dismissed tho sub
Icct went over TO the o;hcr side Of the steam
boat and soon after dcbarkcd at one Of the
village landings near Gencya-at Coppet. be-
licvo.
An American gentleman who was sitting on a
bench near 10y. and had Witnessed my discom-
nture. invited me with a smile 10 the vacant seat
beside him.
He paid YOU. said the American. tho COM
pliment of going further with his story than
usual. He sci ION gets beyond tho first guide 5
name
You know tho gentlemen them"
nave Ahfl ia 20 -u'Ni u uNiAbet OF years
said the American. Everybody hercahou,s
knows Monsieur spcckly-Burger. He is q
notary. a good Protestant and most worthy
man. assure YOU. But, as you have seen. he
IL merely "a wreck Of his former self
All see. said l. touching my forehead *
nncanty
Ny new a'quaintan' 20 laughed heartily. No. "
he said. You misunderstood mo. VI. Spock-
ly-Burger is conversational wreck. Ho WAS
formerly celebrated rs the most insatiGtc talker
in Switzerland. Unopened TO be present at the
crisis that shattered his reputation. Would
you like TO hear the story?'
II you will be So good"
up TO about six years ago" my informant
began. "Speckly- Burgers fame rested upon
two points. In the first place. as l have inti'
mated he was known far and wide as con,
versatonaist He conversel iuently in three
languages. His command OF words was amaz.
ing. His perseverance, wind. and bottom II
mayso call it, put him far ahead Of his mos
ambitious rival in the conversational arena
What n talker lac was in his prime! Give hin
but an opening and his loquacity was inylnci
bio Give him q listener. or better still. q party
OF listeners. and his remarks flowed in a swift
steady torrent. ike tho river Rhonc. One
started upon fayorte topic. he was relentless
unremitting, ndefatigablc"
What did he talk about ?" asked.
That question" replied ny friend. in
wolves VI. Speekly-Burger's second claim L
supereminence. In the latter part Of his caree
as n conyersationalisthi his monolOgues in public
and, for aught know, in the bosom Of his fam
lily also, were confined TO n single suhiect-Mon
Blanc. You will not wonder at this when tel
you that Monsieur prided himself especially OF
being the heaviest man, in pounds avolrdupoa
that ever climbed the mountain. In the yen
1865 he actually made the ascent with the hell
OF seventeen guides. Heaven only knows how
they got him up. or how Mont Blanc sustaine'
the incubus when he was once on top. by Joyo
II was pilinz Ossa on Polion But 1t is matte
OF record that he did roach the summit. II
has a certificate to that effect, signed and sealed
by the cure at Chamouni. and also bearing thu
signature or sign manual Of each Of his seven
teen guides.
" You can readily imagine 10 what conyen
tlonal uses so iustrious and unprecedented al
achievement would be put by man OF NJ
Bpeckly- Burgers parts OF speech. On III
street. ut tables dhoto. in railway carriages, il
private salons, in general society. anywhere
everywhere. the slightest allusion to Mon
Blanc or oven to phvsical endurance