New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-11

Alps until ho had become as expert in noun
tain climbing as Professor Jevons, who recently
lost his life while bathing in dangerous
quar- or of the English coast, was in swimming.
Mr. Gabbett had been exceedingly fortunate
in his expeditions, but was lOath to return to
England without final adventure the memory
of which might reconcile him to the dull levels
of prosaic study and routine lying before him at
| the University. Setting out iiom Lermatt one
afternoon last month, he passed the night III q
hut with view to ascending the Dent Blanche
on the next day. The weather was fine. the
snow firm and every condition favorable and
his guides were the best to be had in that sec
ton of the Alps, one of them having been a
pioneer in ascending the Matterhorn. Yet the
bodies Of the three men were found at the base
OF the Dent Blanche glacier, having apparently
fallen distance of from 5000 to 1000 feet
The Englishman is criticised by veteran noun.
taineers for not adding another man to his
party, Il rope afording unqucstioned security on
the mountain side only when there are as many
as four human pegs to which it may be fas-
tened. The accident, however, cannot be sat
isfactoriy accounted for by any lack of pre-
cautions or experience, or by any OF the or
binary chances of Alpine travel. There must
have been some unexpected conditions to balie
the courage, endurance and self-posscssion OF
so hardy mountaneer attended as he was by
remarkably efficient guides.
Whether this series of accidents is to be at
tributed to the ordinary chances of the Alps,
or to an exceptional state of the snow produced
by peculiar atmospheric conditions, there Will
be no lack of raw recruits as well as seasoned
veterans when another season opens Noun
tain climbing for recreation is one OF the rccog-
nized fashions, especially among young Eng
lishmen of rank and wealth. 1t is of course
very easy to write of this hazardous pastime in
terms of respect and enthusiasm as tending to
promote wholesome spirit or adventure,
daring and endurance among young men OF
social position and ample leisure For our own
part, Mr.. Leigh Smith, returning season after
season to high ATTITUDES in the remnant OF the
globe which still remains undiscovered, Is
finer type of English pluck than any of the
amateur or professional mOuntaln-cllmDers
whose adventures are the theme CT extravaganza
praise in Alpine inn or London club-roOm. Mr..
James Bryce, clamberng to the summit OF
Charat and returning to write mastery ac-
count of his journey, is entitled to the higheSI
measure of respect for physical courage ana
literary workmanship. But these Alpine
saunterers who do year after year feats when
have been often performed and are none the
less hazardous from frequent repetition are
smaller figures. Their exploits are not lgnoDle;
the daring and vigor evinccd are in many re-
spects highly to be commended but after all
what useful purpose is served that Is common
surate with the terrible risks which are takcnl
Lord Chesterfield, when his precious son vol
unteered to go down coal-pit, cynlcally ad-
viscd him to say that he had done it, and 1t
would do as well. Venturesome young men
of courage and spirit should tell the truth,
even if they don't climb mountains; but where
is the gain if, when they have endangered their
lives in attempting to do what has been done so
many times before, their exploit only makes
little talk in the mountain obstetrics and
tolerable story for the smOking-rOOm at home