Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/113

Rh violent storm, and splendid was the journey through the green fertile Alpine valleys from Meyringen, along the Aar, on the road to Hanclek. Earth and heaven, mountain and valley, shone out in the ascending sun, the air was clear as crystal, and as pure and fresh, as—Alpine air only can be. I enjoyed it sitting in a chair, for the first time in my life, borne by two young peasants, from Meyringen, who seemed to have more pleasure in running with me, than in walking, which gave me the agreeable feeling, that I was no great burden. My friend, M. Penchaud, went on foot, like a true mountaineer, with his knapsack on his back, enjoying the walk with his whole heart and soul. Before us, went the respectable Gaspard—an acquaintance of Meyringen, with our baggage in a large basket, on his back. Thus, the journey proceeded upwards, ever upwards, from terrace to terrace, from plain to plain, through extents of luxuriantly-verdant valley, where the cottages stand so snugly on the green-sward, at the foot of the rocks, amongst which the snowy giants glance forth. Roaring torrents, large and small, hurl themselves down from the heights, tributaries of the Aar, whose foaming course we constantly follow, now on the right bank, now on the left, crossing it by small bridges or planks, which hardly look safe. It is a succession of wild, picturesque scenes, without grand views, but rich in ever-varying features, near at hand, rocks, wood, and waterfall. And so on, to La Handek. Here, we partake of a very good dinner, at the hotel, in company with a number of other travelers, and afterwards go to see the celebrated “Chute de l'Aar.”