58 T R A V E L S THROUGH
THERE are fome mineral fprings two miles from the fummit of tlie mountain, wliich
arc only rcforted to by tiie neighbouring inhabitants.
I FOUNB much of the adjacent country covered with fnow, and particularly the peaks
tliat border the road, which I was not furprized at, when I had taken its elevation,
•which I cffefted before my guide left me, as he anxiouily requefted to be prefent.
I TOOK the elevation of the mount from oppofite the fource of the Eifach, and found
that it was 3896 feet and 5-6chs above the city of Bötzen, 417 above the fource of the
Pficrfchcr (which is at the foot of the Glacier of Stuben), and 5109 above the level of
the fea. I will not, however, vouch for the exadtnefs of the meafure of thofe elevations,
although I endeavoured to take them with the greateft accuracy; but, owing to my
Laving only one inftrument proper for the undertaking, and not any one to make obfervations
at the fame time, in any determined fpot, they may probably be liable to fome
fmall incorrcftnefs.
THEKE are few trees on the Brenner, except a few yews and ftunted pines; but the
fafturage is rich, although its fituation will not admit of the growth of corn.
A SMALL plain, of a mile and a half in length, and nearly one in width, bordered on
each fide by huge arid rocks, of which parts are continually covered with fnow, forms
the fumnut of the mountain. The major part of thofe rocks is compofed of granite,
or rock ftone, compounded of glimmer, quartz, and fpar.
THIS plain, or more properly valley, is exceffively rural and pleafant, with a few
fcattercd cottages, which put me in mind of Chamouni. On the left of the valley is a
beautiful cafcade. This is the fource of the Eifach, which, after joining the Adige at
Bötzen, throws itfelf into the Adriatic fea. Near this cafcade is the fource of the river
Sill, which falls into thp Tnn, and frnm thenre into rfie Danube; fo that this valley
ferves as a boundary and diviiion to thofe two rivers.
HAVING croiTed the torrent Weifen we began to defcend rapidly towards Gries, which
is the iirft village from the fummit of mount Brenner, leading to 'Infpruck. On the
road I paffed a column, or pedeftal, erefted in honour of Charlemagne and his brother
Ferdinand, who had not met fince the departure of that Emperor for Africa, till he
returned viftorious in the year 1545; but, owing to the darknefs of the evening, I was
prevented feeing botli the infcription and bafs-reliefs, which I was told were curious.
I WAS forced to haften towards Steinach, where I propofed fleeping, and where I arrived
perfeÖly fafe, although exceflively fatigued, having travelled that day on foot and horfcback,
through bad roads, between fifty and iixty miles.
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