1861]

INSPECTION OF THE MATTERHORN.

115

above Breuil, the work of reaching the summit istoo much for a single day. But could a shelter hefound amid the wild battlements of the peak itself,which would enable one to attack the obelisk atday-dawn, the possibility of conquest was so far anopen question as to tempt a trial. I therefore sentBennen on to reconnoitre, purposing myself to crossthe Theodule alone on the following day.

On the afternoon of the 22nd I sauntered slowlyup to the Eiffel, leaning at times on the head of myaxe, or sitting down upon the grassy knolls, as mymood prompted. The air which filled the valleysof the Oberland , and swathed in mitigated densitythe highest peaks, was slightly opalescent, thoughstill transparent, the floating particles forming somany points d’appui, from which the light wasscattered through surrounding space. The wholemedium glowed as if shone upon by a distant fur-nace, and through it the outline of the mountainsloomed. The glow augmented as the sun sank,reached its maximun, paused, and then ran speedilydown to a cold and colourless twilight.

Next morning at nine o’clock, with some scraps ofinformation from the guides to help me on my way,I quitted the Eiffel to cross the Theodule . I wassoon followed by the domestic of the hotel. Bennenhad requested him to see me to the edge of theglacier, and he now joined me with this intention.