Awful phenomena of nature (1)

CHEAP TRACTS, No. 10.

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Awful Phenomena of Nature!

Boiling Fountains in Iceland;

A VISIT TO THE

Cataract of Niagara;
(The greatest water-fall in the world.)

A late ascent to Mount Blanc;
(The highest Mountain in Europe.)

AND,

State of London during the Plague.

DUNFERMLINE:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY JOHN MILLER.

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1828.

BOILING FOUNTAINS

IN ICELAND.

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The valley of Regham, in Iceland, is richly cultivated and watered by a fertile stream ; it is remarkable for containing several hot springs or boiling fountains, which throw up water to an immense height, and so hot that no person can touch it without being scalded. The principal of these springs, called the Geyser, issues from a circular mound of silicious earth; at the top of which is a large circular basin, about forty feet diameter, from the centre of which the water issues. A modern traveller gives the following account of a visit to this famous spring:-

At nine o’clock I heard a hollow subterraneous noise which was thrice repeated in the course of a few moments;—the two last reports followed each other more quickly than the first and second had done. It exactly resembled the distant firing of cannon, and was accompanied each time with a perceptible, though very slight shaking of the earth, almost immediately after which, the boiling of the water increased together with the stream, and the whole was violently agitated. At first, the water only rolled without much noise over the edge of the basin, but this was almost instantly followed by a jet, which did not rise above ten or twelve feet, and merely forced up the water in the centre of the basin, but was attended with a loud roaring explosion; this jet fell as soon as it had reached its greatest height, and then the water flowed over the margin still more than before, and in less than half a minute a second jet was thrown up in a similar manner to the former. Another overflowing of the water succeeded, after which it immediately rushed down about threc-fonrths of the way into the basin.

Describing one of thesc jets which rose in a column of water not less than ninety feet in height, and about fifty-one feet in diameter, the traveller says—The bottom of it was a prodigious body of white foam; higher up, amidst the vast clouds of steam that had burst from the pipe, the water was seen mounting in a compact column, which, at a still greater elevation, burst into innumerable long and narrow streamlets of spray, that were either shot to a vast height in the air in a perpendicular direction, or thrown out from the side, diagonally, to a prodigious distance. The excessive transparency of the body of water, and the brilliancy of the drops as the sun shone through them, considerably added to the beauty of the spectacle. As soon as the fourth jet was thrown out, which was much less than the former, and scarcely at the interval of two minutes from the first, the water sunk rapidly in the basin, with a rushing noise, and nothing was to be seen but the column of steam, which had been continually increasing from the commencement of the eruption, and was now ascending perpendicularly to an amazing height, as there was scarcely any wind, expanding in bulk as it rose, but decreasing in density, till the upper part of the column gradually lost itself in the surrounding atmosphere. I could now walk in the basin to the margin of the pipe, which descends vertically to the depth, according to Povelsen and Olafsen, of between fifty and sixty feet. It was full twenty minutes after the sinking of the water, from the basin, before I was able to sit down in it, or to bear my hands upon it without burning myself.

My tent was next pitched at the distance of three or four hundred yards from the Geyser, near a pipe or crater of considerable dimensions, in which I had hitherto observed nothing extraordinary. At half-past nine, whilst I was employed in examining some plants gathered the day before, I was surprised by a tremendously loud and rushing noise, like that arising from the fall of a great cascade, immediately at my feet. On putting aside the canvass of my tent, to observe what could have occasioned it, I saw within a hundred yards of me, a column of water rising perpendicularly into the air, from the places just mentioned, to a vast height; but what this height might be, I was so overpowered by my feelings that I did not, for sometime, think of endeavouring to ascertain. In my first impulse I hastened only to look for my portfolio, that I might, attempt at least, to represent upon paper what no words could possibly give an adequate idea of; but in this I found myself nearly as much at a loss as if I had taken my pen for the purpose of describing it, and I was obliged to satisfy myself with very little more than the outline and proportional dimensions of this most magnificent fountain. There was, however, sufficient time allowed me to make observations; for, during the space of an hour and a half, an uninterrupted column of water was continually spouted out to the elevation of 150 feet, with but little variation, and in a body of 17 feet in its widest diameter; and this was thrown up with such force and rapidity, that the column continued to nearly the very summit as compact in body, and as regular in width and shape, as when it first issued from the pipe; a few feet only of the upper part breaking into spray, which was forced by a light wind on one side, so as to fall upon the ground at the distance of some paces from the aperture. The breeze also at times, carried the immense volumes of steam that accompanied the eruption to one side of the column of water, which was thus left open to full view, and we could clearly see its base partly surrounded by foam, caused by the columns striking against a projecting piece of rock, near the mouth of the crater; but thence to the upper part, nothing broke the regularly perpendicular lines of the sides of the water spout, and the sun shining upon it rendered it in some points of view of a dazzling brightness. Standing with our backs to the sun, and looking into the mouth of the pipe, we enjoyed the sight of a most brilliant assemblage of all the colours of the rainbow, caused by the decomposition of the solar rays passing through the shower of drops that was falling between us and the crater. After the water had risen to the vast height above described, I ventured to stand in the midst of the thickest of the shower of spray; where I remained till my clothes were all wetted through, but still scarcely felt that the water was warmer than my own temperature. Stones of the largest size that I could find, and great masses of the silicious rock, which we threw into the crater, were instantly ejected by the force of the water, were shivered into small pieces, though so solid as not to he broken hut by very hard blows from a large hammer, and were carried up frequently higher than the summit of the spout. We were informed by the people living in the neighbourhood, that in the spring of 1808, a violent shock of an earthquake was felt, which made an aperture for another hot spring, and caused the whole of them to cease flowing for fifteen days.

Dr. Henderson who visited the Geyser in 1814 and 15, gives a very interesting account of these wonderful displays of Almighty power.

“We had now a pleasant ride over the marshes to the hot springs, called the Geysers, at which we arrived about a quarter past four in the afternoon. At the distance of several miles, on turning round the foot of a high mountain on our left, we could descry, from the clouds of vapour that were rising and convolving in the atmosphere, the spot where one of the most magnificent and unparalleled scenes in nature is displayed. We rode on before the cavalcade; and, just as we got clear of the south-east corner of the low hill, at the side of which the springs are situated, we were saluted by an eruption which lasted several minutes, and during which the water appeared to be carried to a great height in the air. Riding on between the springs and the hill, we fell in with a small green spot, where we left our horses, and proceeded, as if by an irresistable impulse, to the gentle sloping ground, from the surface of which numerous columns of steam were making their escape.

Though surrounded by a great multiplicity of boiling springs, and streaming apertures, the magnitude and grandeur of which far exceeded any thing we had ever seen before, we felt at no loss in determining on which of them to feast our wondering eyes, and bestow the primary moments of astonished contemplation. Near the northern extremity of the tract rose a large circular mound, formed by the depositions of the fountain, justly distinguished by the appellation of the Great Geyser, from the middle of which a great degree of evaporation was visible. Ascending the rampart, we had the spacious bason at our feet more than half filled with the most beautiful hot chrystaline water, which was but just moved by a gentle ebullition, occasioned by the escape of steam from a cylindrical pipe or funnel in the centre.

Having stood some time in silent admiration of the magnificent spectacle which this matchless fountain, even in a state of inactivity, presents to the view, as there were no indications of an immediate eruption, we returned to the spote where we had left our horses; and, as it formed a small eminence at the base of the hill, and commanded a view of the whole tract, we fixed on it as the site of our tents. About thirty-eight minutes past five, we were apprized, by low reports, and a s'ight concussion of the ground, that an eruption was about to take place; but only a few small jets were thrown up, and the water in the basin did not rise above the surface of the outlets. At fifteen minutes past eight we counted five or six reports, that shook the mound on which we stood, but no remarkable jet followed: the water only boiled with great violence, and, by its heavings, caused a number of small waves to flow towards the margin of the basin, which, at the same time, received an addition to its contents. Twenty-five minutes past nine, as I returned from the neighbouring hill, I heard reports which were both louder and more numerous than any of the preceding, and exactly resembled the distant discharge of a park of artillery. Concluding from these circumstances that the long expected wonders were about to commence, I ran to the mound, which shook violently under my feet, and I had scarcely time to look into the basin, when the fountain exploded, and instantly compelled me to retire to a respectful distance on the windward side. The water rushed up out of the pipe with amazing velocity, and was projected by irregular jets into the atmosphere, surrounded by immense volumes of steam, which, in a great measure, hid the column from the view. The first four or five jets were inconsiderable, not exceeding fifteen or twenty feet in height; these were followed by one about fifty feet, which was succeeded by two or three considerably lower; after which came the last, exceeding all the rest in splendour, which rose at least to the height of seventy feet. The large stones which we had previously thrown into the pipe were ejected to a great height, especially one, which was thrown much higher than the water. On the propulsion of the jets, they lifted up the water in the bason nearest the orifice of the pipe to the height of a foot, or a foot and a half, and, on the falling of the column, it not only caused the bason to overflow at the usual channels, but forced the water over the highest part of the brim, behind which I was standing. The great body of the column (at least ten feet in diameter,) rose perpendicularly, but was divided into a number of the most superb curvated ramifications; and several smaller spoutings were severed from it, and projected in oblique directions, to the no small danger of the spectator, who is apt to get scalded, ere he is aware, by the falling jet.

The whole scene was indiscribably astonishing; but what interested us most, was the circumstance, that the strongest jet came last, as if the geyser had summoned all her powers in order to shew us the greatness of her energy, and make a grand finish before retiring into the subterraneous chambers in which she is concealed from mortal view. Our curiosity had been gratified, but it was far from being satisfied. We now wished to have it in our power to inspect the mechanism of this mighty engine, and obtain a view of the springs by which it is put in motion: but the wish was vain; for they lie in a tract which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen;—which man with all his boasted powers, cannot, and dare not approach. Such scenes exhibit only "the hiding of Jehovah’s power," It is merely the surface of his works that is visible. Their internal structure He hath involved in obscurity; and after the closest and most unwearied application, the utmost we can boast of is, that we have heard a whisper of His proceedings, and investigated the extremities of His operation.

On the morning of the 29th I was awakened at twenty-three minutes past five o’clock, to contemplate an eruption of the New Geyser, situated at the distance of an hundred and forty yards to the south of the principal fountain. It is scarcely possible, however, to give any idea of the brilliancy and grandeur of the scene which caught my eye on drawing aside the curtain of my tent. From an orifice, nine feet in diameter, which lay directly before me, at the distance of about an hundred yards, a column of water, accompanied with prodigious volumes of steam, was erupted with inconceivable force, and a tremendously roaring noise, to varied heights, of from fifty to eighty feet, and threatened to darken the horizon, though brightly illnminated by the morning sun. During the first quarter of an hour, I found it impossible to move from my knees, but poured out my soul in solemn adoration of the Almighty Author of nature:—“who looketh on the earth and it trembleth; who toucheth the hills and they smoke.” At length I repaired to the fountain, where we all met, and communicated to each other our enraptured feelings of wonder and admiration. The jets of water now subsided; but their place was occupied by the spray and steam, which, having free room to play, rushed with a deafening roar, to a height little inferior to that of the water. On throwing the largest stones we could find into the pipe, some of them that were cast up more perpendicularly than the others, remained for the space of four or five minutes within the influence of the steam, being successively ejected, and falling again in a very amusing manner. A gentle northern breeze carried part of the spray at the top of the pillar to the one side, when it fell like a drizzling rain, and was so cold that we could stand below it, and receive it on our hand or face without the least inconvenience. While I kept my station on the same side with the sun, a most brilliant circular bow, of a large size, appeared on the opposite side of the fountain; and, on changing sides, having the fountain between me and the sun, I discovered another, if possible still more beautiful, but so small as only to encircle my head. After continuing to roar about half an hour longer, the column of spray visibly diminished, and sunk gradually, till it fell to the same state in which we had observed it the preceding day; the water, boiling at the depth of about twenty feet below the orifice of the shaft.

During the night there had been two large explosions of the Great Geyser, bnt the servant who observed them not awakening us, we ⟨were⟩ deprived of the sight. However, the loss was made up by the comfortable sleep we enjoyed, of which we had much need, having been fatigued by the ride, and the walks we took after our arrival the preceding day.

At ten minutes before ten, we were attracted to the mound by several loud reports, which were succeeded by a partial eruption; none of the jets exceeding five feet in height. About half ten the reports were reiterated, but no jets ensued; only a gentle rise was observable in the contents of the basin. At eleven we were again gratified with a most brilliant eruption. The jets were ten or twelve in number, and the water was carried to the height of at least sixty feet. Vast clouds of steam, which made their escape during the eruption, continued to roll and spread as they ascended, till they filled the whole ⟨of⟩ the horizon around us; and the sun, though ⟨shining⟩ in full splendour, was completely eclipsed; ⟨but⟩ the points of the jets, receiving his rays as ⟨they⟩ rose through the vapour, wore the most charming lustre, being white and glistening as ⟨snow⟩. The instant all was over, Mr Hodgson ⟨and⟩ I repaired to the foot of a small cataract, ⟨at⟩ the northern base of the mound, over which ⟨the⟩ streamlet is precipitated in its way down to ⟨the⟩ river, and had a pleasant bath in the warm ⟨water⟩ as it fell upon us from the rock above.

A small preliminary eruption again took ⟨place⟩ at seventeen minutes past one, and another ⟨four⟩ minutes before two. The basin continued filling, till within three minutes of three, when, ⟨after⟩ a number of very loud reports, the water ⟨burst⟩, and the spouts rose with a noise and ⟨velocity⟩ which I can compare to nothing more ⟨aptly⟩ than to those of a quantity of large rockets ⟨fired⟩ off from the same source. This eruption ⟨was⟩ the longest of any we saw: a space of ⟨eight⟩ minutes and ten seconds elapsing from the ⟨first⟩ propulsion of the water from the basin, till ⟨it⟩ again subsided into the pipe. The jets were ⟨also⟩ much higher than in any of the former ⟨eruptions⟩, yet none of them exceeded an hundred feet.

The most enrapturing scene, however, that ⟨we⟩ beheld, was exhibited on the morning of the ⟨30th⟩. About ten minutes past five, we were ⟨roused⟩ by the roaring of Strockr, which blew up ⟨a⟩ great quantity of steam; and when my watch ⟨stood⟩ at a full quarter, a crash took place as if ⟨the⟩ earth had burst, which was instantaneously succeeded by jets of water and spray, rising in a perpendicular column to the height of sixty feet. As the sun happened to be behind a cloud, we had no expectation of witnessing any thing more sublime than we had already seen; but Strockr had not been in action above twenty minutes, when the Great Geyser, apparently jealous of her reputation, and indignant at our bestowing so much of our time and applause on her rival, began to thunder tremendously, and emitted such quantities of water and steam, that we could not be satisfied with a distant view, but hastened to the mound with as much curiosity as if it had been the first eruption we had beheld. However, if she was more interesting in point of magnitude, she gave the less satisfaction in point of duration, having again become tranquil in the course of five minutes; whereas, her less gaudy, but more steady companion, continued to play till within four minutes of six o’clock.

On my return this way from the north, ⟨about⟩ the middle of August, 1815, I discovered a key to Strockr, by the application of which, I ⟨could⟩ make that beautiful spring play when I had ⟨a⟩ mind, and throw its water to nearly double ⟨the⟩ height observable in its natural eruptions. The morning after my arrival, I was awakened by its explosion about twenty minutes past four o’clock; and hastening to the crater, ⟨stood⟩ nearly half an hour contemplating its jet, ⟨and⟩ the steady and uninterrupted emission of the column of spray which followed, and which ⟨was⟩ projected at least an hundred feet into the air ⟨After⟩ this, it gradually sunk into the pipe, as it ⟨had⟩ done the year before, and I did not expect ⟨to⟩ see another eruption till the following ⟨morning⟩. However, about five o’clock in the ⟨afternoon⟩, after a great quantity of the largest stones ⟨that⟩ could be found about the place had been ⟨thrown⟩ into the spring, I observed it begin to ⟨roar⟩ with more violence than usual; and, ⟨approaching⟩ the brink of the crater, I had scarcely ⟨time⟩ to look down to the surface of the water, ⟨which⟩ was greatly agitated, when the eruption ⟨commenced⟩, and the boiling water rushed up in ⟨a⟩ moment, within an inch or two of my face, and ⟨continued⟩ its course with inconsiderable velocity ⟨into⟩ the atmosphere. Having made a speedy ⟨retreat⟩, I now took my station on the windward ⟨side⟩, and was astonished to observe the ⟨elevation⟩ of the jets, some of them rising higher ⟨than⟩ two hundred feet; many of the fragments ⟨were⟩ thrown much higher, and some of ⟨considerable⟩ size were raised to an invisible height. For ⟨some⟩ time, every succeeding jet seemed to ⟨surpass⟩ the preceding, till, the quantity of water in ⟨the⟩ subterraneous caverns being spent, they gave ⟨place⟩ to the column of steam, which continued ⟨to⟩ rush up with a deafening roar for nearly ⟨an⟩ hour.

The periodical evacuation of Strockr, having ⟨been⟩ deranged by this violent experiment, no ⟨symptoms⟩ whatever of a fresh eruption appeared ⟨the⟩ following morning. As I wished, however, ⟨to⟩ see it play once more before I bid an ⟨everlasting⟩ farewell to these wonders of nature, and, especially, being anxious to ascertain the reality of my supposed discovery, I got my servant to assist me, about eight o’clock, in casting all the loose stones we could find into the spring. We had not ceased five minutes, when the wished-⟨for⟩ phenomena recommenced, and the jets were carried to a height little inferior to what they had gained the preceding evening. At half-past nine, I was obliged to set out on my journey; but often looked back on the thundering column of steam, and reflected with amazement at my having given such an impulse to a body which no power on earth could controul

The Falls of Niagara.

“I had already seen some of the most celebrated works of nature in different parts of the globe; I had seen Etna and Vesuvius; I had seen the Andes almost at their greatest elevation; Cape Horn, rugged and bleak, buffetted by the southern tempest; and, though last not least, I have seen the long swell of the Pacific; but nothing I had ever beheld or imagined, could ⟨compare⟩ in grandeur with the Falls of Niagara. My first sensation was that of exquisite delight at having before me the greatest wonder of the world. Strange as it may appear, this feeling was immediately succeeded by an irresistable melancholy. Had this not continued, it might ⟨perhaps⟩ have been attributed to the satiety ⟨incident⟩ to the complete gratification of 'hope long ⟨deferred⟩;' but so far from diminishing, the more ⟨I⟩ gazed, the stronger and deeper the sentiment ⟨became⟩. Yet this scene of sadness was ⟨strangely⟩ mingled with a kind of intoxicating ⟨fascination⟩. Whether the phenomenon is peculiar to Niagara, I know not, but certain it is, that the ⟨spirits⟩ are affected and depressed in a singular manner by the magic influence of this ⟨stupendous⟩ and eternal fall. About five miles above ⟨the⟩ cataract the river expands to the dimensions ⟨of⟩ a lake, after which it gradually narrows. The Rapids commence at the upper extremity ⟨of⟩ Goat Island, which is half a mile in length, ⟨and⟩ divides the river at the point of ⟨precipitation⟩ into two unequal parts; the largest is ⟨distinguished⟩ by the several names of the ⟨Horseshoe⟩, Crescent, and British Fall, from its ⟨semi-circular⟩ form and contiguity to the Canadian ⟨shore⟩. The smaller is named the American Fall. A portion of this fall is divided by a ⟨rock⟩ from Goat Island, and though here ⟨insignificant⟩ in appearance would rank high among European cascades.

"The current runs about six miles an hour; ⟨but⟩ supposing it to be only five miles, the ⟨quantity⟩ which passes the falls in an hour is more than 35,000,000 of tons avoirdupois; if we suppose ⟨it⟩ to be six, it will be more than 102.000,000: ⟨and⟩ in a day would exceed 2,400,000,000 of ⟨tons⟩.

“The next morning, with renewed delight, I beheld from my window—I may say, indeed, from my bed—the stupendous vision. The beams of the rising sun shed over it a variety of tints; a cloud of spray was ascending from the crescent; and as I viewed it from above it appeared like the steam rising from the boiler of some monstrous engine.

“This evening I went down with one of our party to view the cataract by moonlight. I took my favourite seat on the projecting rock, at a little distance from the brink of the fall, and gazed till every sense seemed absorbed in contemplation.—Although the shades of night increased the sublimity of the prospect, and ‘deepened the murmur of the falling floods,’ the moon in placid beauty shed her soft influence upon the mind, and mitigated the horrors of the scene. The thunders which bellowed from the abyss, and the loveliness of the falling element, which glittered like molten silver in the moonlight, seemed to complete, in absolute perfection, the rare union of the beautiful with the sublime.

While reflecting upon the inadequacy of language to express the feelings I experienced, or to describe the wonders which I surveyed, an American gentleman, to my great amusement, tapped me on the shoulder, and ‘guessed’ that it was ‘pretty droll!’ It was difficult to avoid laughing in his face; yet I could not help envying him his vocabulary, which had so eloquently released me from my dilemma.

“Though earnestly dissuaded from the ⟨undertaking⟩, I had determined to employ the first ⟨fine⟩ morning in visiting the cavern beneath the ⟨fall⟩. The guide recommended my companion ⟨and⟩ myself to set out as early as six o’clock, ⟨that⟩ we might have the advantage of the ⟨morning⟩ sun upon the waters. We came to the ⟨guides⟩ house at the appointed hour, and ⟨disencumbered⟩ ourselves of such garments as we did ⟨not⟩ care to have wetted: descending the ⟨circular⟩ ladder, we followed the course of the path ⟨running⟩ along the top of the rubbish of the ⟨precipice⟩, which I have already described. ⟨Having⟩ pursued this track for about eight ⟨yards⟩, in the course of which we were ⟨completely⟩ drenched, we found ourselves close to ⟨the⟩ cataract. Although enveloped in a cloud ⟨of⟩ spray, we could distinguish without difficulty ⟨the⟩ direction of our path, and the nature of the ⟨cavern⟩ we were about to enter. Our guide ⟨warned⟩ us of the difficulty of respiration which ⟨we⟩ should encounter from the spray, and ⟨recommended⟩ us to look with exclusive attention ⟨to⟩ the security of our footing. Thus warned we ⟨pushed⟩ forward, blown about and buffeted by ⟨the⟩ wind, stunned by the noise, and blinded by ⟨the⟩ spray. Each successive gust penetrated us ⟨to⟩ the very bone with cold. Determined to ⟨proceed⟩, we toiled and struggled on, and having ⟨followed⟩ the footsteps of the guide as far as was ⟨possible⟩, consistently with safety, we sat down, ⟨and⟩ having collected our senses by degrees, the

⟨wonders⟩ of the cavern slowly developed ⟨themselves⟩. It is impossible to describe the strange unnatural light reflected through its crystal wall, the roar of the waters, and the blasts of the hurried hurricane which perpetually rages in its recesses. We endured its fury a sufficient time to form a notion of the shape and dimensions of this dreadful place. The cavern was tolerably light, though the sun was unfortunately enveloped in clouds. His disc was invisible, but we could clearly distinguish his situation through the watery barrier. The fall of ⟨the⟩ cataract is nearly perpendicular. The bank over which it is precipitated is of a concave form, owing to its upper stratum being composed of lime-stone, and its base of soft slate-stone, which has been eaten away by the constant attrition of the recoiling waters. The cavern is about 120 feet in height, 50 in breadth, and 300 in length. The entrance was completely invisible. By screaming in our ears, the guide contrived to explain to us that there was one more point which we might ⟨have⟩ reached had the wind been in any other direction. Unluckily it blew full upon the sheet ⟨of⟩ the cataract, and drove it in so as to dash ⟨upon⟩ the rock over which we must have passed. A few yards beyond this, the precipice becomes perpendicular, and, blending with the water, forms the extremity of the cave. After a stay of nearly ten minutes in this most horrible purgatory, we gladly left it to its loathsome inhabitants, the eel and the water-snake, who ⟨crawl⟩ about its recesses in considerable numbers.

Late Ascent to Mount Blanc.

Extract of a letter from an English artist now on the Continent:-The 25th of July now finds us in the celebrated vale of Chamouny, with the Glaciers and Mont Blanc in view. This latter object, far seen and far famed, gives an interest to whatever relates to it. On our arrival at the inn at Chamouny, we were told that two Englishmen had started yesterday morning, at nine o’clock, to make the perilous ⟨journey⟩ to the top of the mountain, ⟨with⟩ nine guides, making in all eleven, and it ⟨had⟩ at first been observed through a telescope in the inn that two had actually reached the summit. All eyes were now on the alert. The glass I got hold of at an upper window; and, after adjusting and ⟨shifting⟩ it about, observed with mute attention, on the side of the summit, some small black objects, that by degrees changed their places, and by a progress very slow but perceptible, appeared advancing upwards. To all the people in the house this was a subject of intense curiosity, and, by turns, each saw and bore witness to the phenomenon. I counted to the number of nine; a party of four were in advance in a group, with one a-head, while others, two and two, lagged considerably behind, As they were proceeding from us, their movement was slow and little perceived; onwards, however, we saw them reach the summit, where, little as they seemed, they were nearly lost in the deep blue sky. Even the last two, lingering, stopping, and resting, approached at last the top, where we could see the others re-appear, as ⟨if⟩ to receive them. The whole number having thus gained the top of Mont Blanc, the ⟨highest⟩ point in Europe, perhaps the highest point on earth, the insignificant power of man has ever enabled him to reach (which, though often ⟨attempted⟩, has, it is said, not been reached ⟨before⟩ above six times—often attended with loss ⟨of⟩ lives, and only succeeded in once before by ⟨an⟩ Englishman). A short half hour seemed to satisfy them with their unwonted elevation when we saw them begin to descend.

26th.—To day all was expectation; and ⟨at⟩ nine o’clock, after 40 hours’ absence, the ⟨two⟩ Englishmen, with their nine guides, and a boy who had gone with them, arrived.

They had, on the 24th, reached the usual resting-place, La Grande Mullee. This is ⟨a⟩ black ridge of rocks at the head of the Glaciers, by the side of which they ascended, and which they had much fatigue and risk in crossing to obtain. At the Grande Mullee, they stopped for the night, under a tent, which they took with them, in which, with blankets, &c., they were warm and comfortable, disturbed only by the noise of avalanches falling all around them. On the 25th, at day-break, they proceeded up a valley of snow, then took a new route, by which they had escaped the dangers which had destroyed those men who had made a similar attempt before. As they got towards the top their fatigue and weakness became extreme; their pulses beat high, some were seized with head-ache, spitting of blood and bleeding at the nose—others with loss of appetite, and one even with vomiting; all breathed with difficulty and required frequent rests. Mr Hawes who is a stout little fellow, of 20 years, was the only one nearly exempted from the symptoms. On the top the air was cold beyond belief; but the view seemed to comprehend every thing—they appeared high above every object; saw on one side of the lake Geneva, Neufchatel, and the Jura mountains; but the clearest and most beautiful was on the side of Savoy and Italy; the Appenines, the Mediterranean, and France, known to be in sight from Mount Blanc, were not then visible.

At three o’clock they began to descend—a matter of facility, compared with the ascent. At six they gained their resting-place on the Grande Mullee. They here remained for the night, which was wet and cold; and the noise of the avalanches, always most frequent in rain, had much the effect of continued thunder. This morning they had again to cross the glaciers, to facilitate which they were tied, two or three together, in a chain of ropes, to secure them in crossing the deep crevices between the ice; and the danger being thus past, they reached Chamouny to breakfast, having finished the

journey without loss, without hurt, and apparently without over-fatigue; but which, they said, they would never advise any one again to attempt. Every circumstance was favourable, but they thought neither the view nor the fame could at all compensate for the danger and pain of the undertaking.

General State of London and its Suburbs, During the Plague.

London might well be said to be all in tears the mourners did not go about the streets indeed for nobody put on black, or made a formal ⟨dress⟩ of mourning for their nearest friends; but ⟨the⟩ voice of mourning was truly heard in the street the shrieks of women and children at the windows, and doors of their houses, where ⟨their⟩ dearest relations were, perhaps dying, or ⟨just⟩ dead, were so frequent to be heard, as we ⟨passed⟩ the streets, that it was enough to pierce ⟨the⟩ stoutest heart in the world, to hear them. Tears and lamentations were seen almost in everyhouse especially in the first part of the visitation; ⟨for⟩ towards the latter end, men’s hearts were hardened, and death was so always before their eyes that they did not so much concern ⟨themselves⟩ for the loss of their friends, expecting ⟨that⟩ themselves should be summoned the next hour.

“Such mournings and lamentations were frequently heard in the streets, as pierced the ⟨stoutest⟩ hearts to hear them, and the houses were ⟨filled⟩ with tears and lamentations. Nothing ⟨was⟩ heard in the day, but the dismal cry, “Pray ⟨for⟩ us,” and in the night the horrid call, “Bring ⟨out⟩ your dead,” and scarce any thing vendible ⟨except⟩ coffins. Sometimes persons dropped down ⟨dead⟩ in the streets; many died without any warning not knowing they had the plague; and ⟨others⟩ had only time to go to the next porch or door, ⟨sit⟩ down, and die, unnoticed and disregarded ⟨by⟩ the passengers.