Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/356

372 on the left, shine out glaciers and cascades, from the woods and the mountains; amongst the former, the glacier Balferni stands out like a giant. It was not till dark that we arrived at St. Nicholas, where we obtained good quarters. The next morning looked likely for rain; nevertheless, we are up early, and when we come abroad, behold! yonder gleam forth the eternal mountains,—the snow-clad summits of Monte Rosa, in clear sunshine, directly before us, at the end of the long valley. It was heart-stirring, and so was the morning air,—fresh and pure. One did not feel either one's body or one's feet; one seemed to have wings.

And our journey was beautiful, this day, between the lofty mountains, from amongst which gleamed forth snow and fields of ice, whilst the pleasantest woods of melize-trees come down from the mountains, to the banks of the foaming Viege, which roars through the valley. Our road lies along the riverside, by a good footpath. Little villages, with their white churches, lie in picturesque disorder, upon the mountain plains. Even amongst these, has the earthquake left traces of its desolating power.

The weather becomes more and more hopeful. We pursue our journey cheerfully, botanizing and talking by the way; and the higher we ascend, the more am I at home among the vegetation. I am able to present my young friends with Swedish whortleberries and mosses. The light, agile forms of the young girls, the gay effect of the fluttering ribbons of their broad hats, gladdened me during our ramble; and both they and I agreed that we had never enjoyed a more