The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-31

day. Among those who have climbed the Mat
terhorn are Iyndal Whymper and the Italian
geologst Giordano.
Professor Jordan described the successful
attempt of Whymper and a party of English
men, in which, when near the summit, by an
accident, all the party except Whymper and two
guides were killed. The party of which was 8.
member. said the speaker, assembled the Matter
horn in August. 1881, the best monthfOr going up.
Our guide was Jean Baptiste AymonOd, and the
party of six consisted of Professor Charles H.
Gilbert, of Indianapolis, Professor NJ B. Ander
son, then of the indianapolis high-school, now of
Knox College, Walter o. Williams, now at
indianapolis, William W. Spangler, librarian of
the Indiana State University, William Z. Beach,
of Lafayette, and myself, with five guides. 1t
took us from A. NJ. until noon to get up. In
descending Professor Gilbert was struck in the
face by falling rock weighing over hundred
pounds. 1t did not strike him fairly, but the
accident was a severe one and rendered it neces
sary for US to remain there all night. We reached
the bottom the next day at in the afternoon,
after many thrilling adventures
The professor here paused to inquire if, after
all it paid, this mountain climbing. Few of you,
he said, would care, perhaps, to follow that
party of six up the great mountain. Still fewer
to follow them down Perhaps if we had been
wiser we would never have gone But now that
it is over the ascent Of the Matterhorn it is the
one great thing in anotherwise commonplace
life We have attempted the greatest feat, we
very words, 'NLatterhorn Besteiger' procures
for US respect of every in every town In
Switzerland They have even taken us in and
given Us shelter and good beds whore they would
otherwise have turned US away. There is some
thing III mountaineering which fascinates him
who has once attempted it. as the
good soldier is said to love the roar and smoke of
battle. Perhaps one such experience is enough
for lifetime Certainly the top of the Matter
horn will never see me again. But l am glad to
have been there | am glad for once to have
put the earth out Of sight, to have seen how the
world looks from the top Whymper has earned
the right to speak for all of us, and he says
I'VE cannot measure our enjoyment as you
measure your wine or weigh your lead, but it is
real nevertheless. If | could blot out every
memory Of Switzerland should say that my
scrambles among the Alps have repaid me, for
they have given me the two most valuable things
that man can possess-health and friends.
The memory of past pleasures cannot be efaced
Even now they crowd upon me an endless series
OF pictures magnificent in FORM effect and color
| see great peaks with cloud tops seeming to
mount upward forever and ever. hear the
music from the distant herds, the peasants yOdel
and the solemn church bells 1 scent the
fragrant breath of the pine and after those have
passed away another train Of thoughts sue
ceeded. All those who have been brave and
true, all kind hearts and bold deeds ali courte-
sizes received from strangers are but expressive
of that good will which is the essence of charity"
a feature of last evenings entertainment was
the singing of Mrs w /. Chidister. This after
noon Rev DR.. J. H. BayIss editor of the West
ern Christian Advocate, will lecture on Rome
Pompei and Vesuvius" At P. NJ. Joseph Car
hart, professor of elocution at De Paw Uniyer-
sity, will give his humorous and dramatic readings
The professor is not only immensely entertain
ing and amusing, but instructive. The Indian
apolis Glee Club will also be in attendance in the
evening and let loose their voices among the
outrageous monarchs Of the Acton grove.
The various avenues and the Assembly square
were beautifully lighted last evening, and the
air was pleasantly cool and bracing.
To day the trustees Of the Indiana Hospital
for the Insane will let the contract for supplies
for that institution. The action of the board
last month, which was, at least, in the matter Of
butter and eggs, changed from the custom that
had prevailed for several months at that insti-
tuition, is entitled to some praise-at any other
institution. where better methods have always
prevailed, it would not be. The supply of butter
and eggs for July was contracted for in open,
fair and honorable competition, and resulted in a
saving to the State in the month of July, upon
butter alone, of over 5000 1t is to be hoped the
new order of things may be continued.